Head-to-head
DataAnnotation vs Mercor
Which pays more, which is easier to start, and which fits the work you want. Compared on real pay, work model, payout, and the roles open right now.
DataAnnotation
MercorDataAnnotation vs Mercor: the short answer
, AITraining.jobs lists 232 open Mercor roles (typical pay $55 to $150 an hour, median $75).
Mercor pays more on typical work ($55-$150/hr typical (live median $75) vs DataAnnotation's $15–$100+/hr), and its ceiling is higher too.
Both are expert networks, so the barrier to start is similar: gated by a screen for a degree, professional expertise, or a skills test.
Both hire for AI Evaluation, Coding, Math & STEM, Domain Experts, and Writing; DataAnnotation also covers Multilingual; Mercor also covers Agentic & RL Envs and Red-Teaming.
Mercor has 232 live roles in the feed right now; check DataAnnotation's own site for its current openings.
Bottom line: Mercor pays more while the barrier to start is similar, so pick Mercor for the higher rate, or DataAnnotation if its specific work fits you better.
| DataAnnotation | Mercor | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical pay | $15–$100+/hr | $55-$150/hr typical (live median $75) |
| Work model | Expert network · Assessment-gated contractor | Expert network · Expert credential marketplace |
| Kinds of work | AI Evaluation, Coding, Math & STEM, Domain Experts, Writing, and Multilingual | Domain Experts, Coding, Math & STEM, Agentic & RL Envs, AI Evaluation, Red-Teaming, and Writing |
| How you get paid | PayPal; paid within a few days of a payout request (its FAQ). | Weekly via Stripe (1099 contractors). |
| Where you can work | Its FAQ names no country list (it says it connects over 100,000 contractors globally), but the roles on its job board and worker reports point to six countries: the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand (read 18 Oct 2026). | Global (45+ countries); many projects timezone- or country-restricted (US/UK/AU premiums). |
| Open roles now | See platform | 232 live |
| Worker sentiment | Trustpilot 3.9/5 (1,974 reviews), read 15 Oct 2026 | Glassdoor ~4.0/5; ~81% would recommend |
Pay shows each platform's live measured band where its feed has enough hourly-stated roles, otherwise our compiled benchmark. How we compile pay.
Best for people with a degree or professional skills who want vetted, higher-skill work.
Best for professionals and specialists chasing the highest rates.
232 open roles now →Some links on AITraining.jobs are referral links. If you sign up through one, AITraining.jobs may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes what a platform pays you.
Get new AI training jobs by email
The newest paid roles across every platform we track, with real hourly pay, in one weekly email. Free, and unsubscribe anytime.
We email new roles, not spam. One click to unsubscribe.
DataAnnotation vs Mercor: common questions
Which pays more, DataAnnotation or Mercor?
Mercor pays more on typical work ($55-$150/hr typical (live median $75) vs DataAnnotation's $15–$100+/hr), and its ceiling is higher too.
Is DataAnnotation or Mercor easier to get started with?
Both are expert networks, so the barrier to start is similar: gated by a screen for a degree, professional expertise, or a skills test.
Can you work on both DataAnnotation and Mercor?
Yes. They are independent platforms, and many contributors join several at once to keep a steady flow of work, especially since both hire for AI Evaluation, Coding, Math & STEM, Domain Experts, and Writing. Signing up for one does not affect the other.