Mercor vs DataAnnotation
Mercor and DataAnnotation side by side, on what can be checked today: open jobs, published pay, fields and how applying works. No ratings, no opinions.
- Mercor lists more open jobs today: 305 against 113.
- DataAnnotation has the higher median published rate: $83 per hour against $75.
- The highest published rate of the two is $380 per hour, on Mercor.
The numbers, side by side
| Mercor | DataAnnotation | |
|---|---|---|
| Open jobs | 305 | 113 |
| Posted in the last 7 days | 11 | Not published |
| Jobs with a published hourly rate | 291 | 113 |
| Median published rate | $75/hr | $83/hr |
| Middle half of published rates | $55-95/hr | $33-83/hr |
| Published range | $10-380/hr | $25-150/hr |
| Fields with open jobs | 11 | 11 |
| Jobs that publish their eligible countries | 301 of 305 | 0 of 113 |
Computed from the jobs open on SideHustler today, last checked on October 8, 2026. Pay is what each platform publishes, not a guarantee of income.
Field by field
| Field | Mercor | DataAnnotation |
|---|---|---|
| Languages, Translation & Voice | 36 jobs, median $50/hr | 42 jobs, median $33/hr |
| Science & Research | 48 jobs, median $75/hr | 6 jobs, median $83/hr |
| Data & Machine Learning | 44 jobs, median $55/hr | 3 jobs, median $95/hr |
| Business, Consulting & Operations | 42 jobs, median $68/hr | 4 jobs, median $83/hr |
| Software Engineering | 36 jobs, median $95/hr | 9 jobs, median $95/hr |
| Finance & Accounting | 22 jobs, median $103/hr | 19 jobs, median $83/hr |
| Health & Medicine | 30 jobs, median $95/hr | 8 jobs, median $83/hr |
| Engineering | 21 jobs, median $70/hr | 10 jobs, median $83/hr |
| Legal | 10 jobs, median $90/hr | 10 jobs, median $83/hr |
| Writing, Creative & Design | 13 jobs, median $35/hr | 1 job, median $83/hr |
| Generalist & Data Labeling | 3 jobs, median $48/hr | 1 job, median $38/hr |
How applying works
Mercor
You apply on work.mercor.com: create a profile, complete a skills assessment, then get matched to projects that fit your background.
DataAnnotation
You apply on DataAnnotation: create an account, take the qualification assessment for your field, then pick up paid projects when you qualify.
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FAQ
Questions about Mercor and DataAnnotation
Which pays more, Mercor or DataAnnotation?
On the jobs open today, the median published hourly rate is $75 on Mercor (291 jobs with a rate) and $83 on DataAnnotation (113 jobs). Rates differ from one field to the next: see the field by field table. These are published rates, not a guarantee of income.
Which has more open jobs, Mercor or DataAnnotation?
Mercor has 305 open jobs on SideHustler today and DataAnnotation has 113. The counts change as the platforms open and close roles.
How do I apply to Mercor?
You apply on work.mercor.com: create a profile, complete a skills assessment, then get matched to projects that fit your background.
How do I apply to DataAnnotation?
You apply on DataAnnotation: create an account, take the qualification assessment for your field, then pick up paid projects when you qualify.
Can I apply to both Mercor and DataAnnotation?
They are separate platforms, each with its own application and screening. SideHustler links to the official posting of every job, on either platform.
Is SideHustler neutral between the two?
SideHustler is independent of both platforms and this page only reports figures computed from their open listings. Some Apply links on the site are referral links: they are always marked, and a link without referral is offered next to them.