What exactly are AI training jobs?+
Paid remote tasks where you help improve AI systems. You rate AI-generated responses, compare outputs, write examples, or fact-check AI answers. No coding required.
Do I need technical skills or experience?+
No. For generalist roles you need good attention to detail and the ability to follow instructions. Specialist skills (law, medicine, coding) unlock 3–5× higher pay. Read our
full guide on whether you need a degree.
Is this really 100% remote?+
Yes — completely. All 14 platforms are fully remote. No offices, no commute. Work from wherever you have a laptop and internet.
Are these platforms legitimate?+
Yes — all platforms we feature are legitimate funded companies. Mercor is a Bloomberg 2026 AI Startup to Watch. Scale AI (runs Outlier) is valued at $13B+. SME Careers is backed by NVIDIA Ventures.
How much can I realistically earn?+
Verified 2026 ranges:
- Generalist: $15–30/hr
- Experienced generalist: $25–40/hr
- Domain expert: $50–130/hr
- Senior coder / robotics: $80–200/hr
How and when do I get paid?+
Varies by platform:
- Mercor: Weekly Wednesdays via Stripe
- micro1: Bi-monthly
- SME Careers: Within 30 days via Deel
We recommend Wise for EU workers.
Can this replace a full-time salary?+
For most people — not reliably at first. Most treat this as a high-value income layer. Domain experts at $60–85/hr doing 20hrs/week earn $4,000–5,000/month. Read our honest take on
the real downsides before deciding.
Which platform should I start with?+
- Everyone: Mercor first
- Tech workers: Add micro1
- Domain experts: SME Careers
- Robotics: Alignerr
Can I apply to multiple platforms at once?+
What if I get rejected?+
Rejections happen. micro1 allows reapply. Mercor allows up to 3 retakes. Apply to all top picks simultaneously.
Are these platforms available in Germany?+
Yes — all platforms support German and EU contractors via W-8BEN and pay via Wise, Stripe, Deel, PayPal, or Payoneer.
What is a W-8BEN form?+
Since platforms are US companies, they require a W-8BEN form before paying you. Takes 5 minutes. You are NOT filing US taxes by signing this. Read our
full W-8BEN walkthrough for step-by-step instructions.
How do I handle taxes in Germany?+
Freelance income in Germany:
- Under €22,000/yr: Kleinunternehmerregelung
- Over €22,000/yr: Charge VAT
Declare under Anlage S. Read our
full Germany tax guide for the complete walkthrough.
Best way to receive payments in Germany?+
Wise is our top recommendation — near-interbank EUR conversion rates, much cheaper than PayPal. Read our
full payment methods guide comparing Wise, PayPal, and Deel.
Which platform pays the most?+
Mercor: $95/hr average. Alignerr: up to $200/hr for robotics. SME Careers: up to $130/hr for experts. Braintrust/micro1: up to $150/hr.
Which platform is easiest to get into?+
SME Careers (~60%) → Mercor (~55%) → micro1 (~50%) → DataAnnotation (~40%) → Outlier (~30%).