Get paid to train AI — from someone actually doing the work
AI labs pay anywhere from $6 to $300 an hour for human judgment: evaluating model answers, writing expert data, reviewing outputs. I do this work myself. This is my running log of what each platform actually pays, how hard they are to get into, and which ones are worth your time.
My tier list
Where each platform lands after I’ve actually done the work on it. Full list & apply links below.
The platforms
- DataAnnotation
- micro1
- Mercor
- Handshake AI
Easy application, but current projects may be hourly or per task — check time caps and approval rules first.
- Outlier
Don’t apply generically — match yourself to a project first or you may never see a task.
- Alignerr
Role-specific referrals for coding, robotics, finance, and Lua work.
Guides & reviews
- DataAnnotation Review (2026): My $50–$75 Coding Tasks and the Qualification Process
My most reliable source of $50/hr coding work, with genuinely enjoyable tasks — but acceptance and task supply vary sharply by specialty.
- How to Apply for AI Training Jobs
Resume tweaks, fresh listings, targeted roles, and the order I would apply in.
- Alignerr Review (2026): Real Pay Rates and the Evaluation Wall
Real dashboard rates from $20 to $200/hr and reliable pay — but tedious work, quiet PMs, and an evaluation stage most people stall on.
- Outlier Review (2026): Pay Rates, Empty Queues, and Whether It's Worth Applying
The biggest name in AI training work — and the hardest place to actually get a task.
- Handshake AI Review (2026): Per-Task Pay, Time Caps, and Whether It Is Worth It
My paid onboarding experience was excellent, but current Handshake AI projects need much more careful pay and time-cap scrutiny.
- How Much Does Training AI Actually Pay in 2026? Real Listed Rates
What generalists, experts, and specialists really earn per hour, from actual listings — and what determines your tier.
- micro1 Review (2026): Pay Rates, the Zara Interview, and Whether It's Worth It
Long-running, well-managed gigs that pay well — if you can get past the Zara interview. Here's what it pays and how to get in.
- Mercor Review (2026): Real Pay Rates and How Hard the Interview Actually Is
The highest ceilings of any platform — real dashboard rates up to $300/hr, reusable assessments, and months-long response times.
- DataAnnotation vs Outlier vs micro1 vs Mercor vs Handshake AI vs Alignerr (2026)
The platform head-to-head: pay, gates, task volume, and the right order to apply.