Head-to-head
micro1 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.
micro1 vs Mercor: the short answer
, AITraining.jobs lists 249 open micro1 roles (typical pay $50 to $270 an hour, median $75) and 232 open Mercor roles (typical pay $55 to $150 an hour, median $75).
Pay is broadly comparable: micro1 typically runs $50-$270/hr typical (live median $75) and Mercor $55-$150/hr typical (live median $75).
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, Domain Experts, Coding, Math & STEM, and Agentic & RL Envs; micro1 also covers Data Annotation, Robotics Data, and Multilingual; Mercor also covers Red-Teaming and Writing.
Right now micro1 has more live roles (249 vs 232).
Bottom line: these two are closely matched on pay and the barrier to entry, so choose on the specific work each hires for.
| micro1 | Mercor | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical pay | $50-$270/hr typical (live median $75) | $55-$150/hr typical (live median $75) |
| Work model | Expert network · AI-vetted expert marketplace | Expert network · Expert credential marketplace |
| Kinds of work | AI Evaluation, Data Annotation, Robotics Data, Domain Experts, Coding, Math & STEM, Agentic & RL Envs, and Multilingual | Domain Experts, Coding, Math & STEM, Agentic & RL Envs, AI Evaluation, Red-Teaming, and Writing |
| How you get paid | USD via Deel (bank, PayPal, Wise, Payoneer). | Weekly via Stripe (1099 contractors). |
| Where you can work | Global, remote-first; heavy multilingual demand. | Global (45+ countries); many projects timezone- or country-restricted (US/UK/AU premiums). |
| Open roles now | 249 live | 232 live |
| Worker sentiment | Glassdoor ~4.4/5 | 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.
249 open roles now →Best for people with a degree or professional skills who want vetted, higher-skill work.
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.
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micro1 vs Mercor: common questions
Which pays more, micro1 or Mercor?
Pay is broadly comparable: micro1 typically runs $50-$270/hr typical (live median $75) and Mercor $55-$150/hr typical (live median $75).
Is micro1 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 micro1 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, Domain Experts, Coding, Math & STEM, and Agentic & RL Envs. Signing up for one does not affect the other.