You’ve probably seen ads for Mercor, one of the biggest AI training job platforms out there right now. After two years working for DataAnnotation, I decided to follow the hype that’s all over Reddit and sign up myself. It wasn’t until recently that I finally got the chance to work on a handful of Mercor projects — and it was definitely worth the hype.
While the sign-up and onboarding process is a little different from other AI platforms I’ve worked on, the pay seems to run much higher across the board. But that’s not the only positive I found working for Mercor.
Here’s my complete review breaking down my experience as an AI trainer for the platform.
The Application Process
Like most AI training job contractors I’ve worked with, the application process starts with simply setting up your profile. To open myself up to as many possibilities as possible, I took the time to fill in every professional and personal detail available on my profile. Users can also populate their profiles from a resume upload, and it’s easy to swap in an updated version anytime.
After my initial sign-up, I didn’t do much in the way of assessments. But I recently went back and completed as many as possible, which led to my first offer in a matter of weeks.
The Platform
I found Mercor’s website much more professional, user-friendly, and straightforward than some of the AI training competitors I’ve worked with. On the left side of the home page, you’ll find a simple toolbar with the following buttons:
- Explore – Takes you to open job opportunities.
- Home – Features tabs for assessments, applications, offers, saved jobs, and any open contracts you might have.
- Referrals – Takes you to the landing page for Mercor’s referral program.
- Learn – Takes you to the landing page for Mercor Academy, the platform’s free training and certification program.
- Earnings – Features information about past and current earnings.
- Profile – Landing page for your profile.
- Notifications (indicated by a bell)
Applying for Jobs
The job application process for Mercor is one of several reasons I prefer this platform over most other AI platforms. That’s because, unlike DataAnnotation Tech (a platform I earned $37,500 working for) and some other competitors, Mercor makes it easy to search through and apply for all of their available job openings.
You will need to verify your identity before getting new work, so keep that driver’s license handy.
Here’s a breakdown of the Mercor “Explore” page:
Job Search Tabs
There are three tabs at the top of the page: Project-based, One-Time, and Talent Network. Most jobs live under the Project-based tab, and there are plenty to choose from (mine currently shows 23 pages with a max total of 16 listings per page).
The One-Time tab features one-time paid studies generally aimed at specific, high-level professionals. And Talent Network connects users with companies building a database of highly specialized talent in specific areas (everything from graphic designers to human resources experts to doctors).
Job Search Buttons
Above the job listings on the right side are three more buttons. Under Priority, users can choose from Newest, Trending, and Most Pay. Under Filter, users can select from Pay Rate, Location, Domain, Referral Amount, Work Arrangement, and Application Steps Remaining. And the Refer & Earn button simply takes users to the referral page.
Job Listings
The platform doesn’t limit what users can see based on their qualifications, so you may want to filter using the Job Search buttons or use the search bar at the top left of the page. Listings are presented in boxes featuring the following information:
- Job title
- Job location and years of experience required (if applicable)
- Language required (if applicable)
- Referral rate for referring new workers to this role (varies from one job to the next)
- Number of workers hired this month
I appreciate that the job listings show all of that information right there on the listing page, so I didn’t have to waste my time clicking on roles that don’t seem to be hiring currently or jobs that require a language or work experience that isn’t relevant to my skill set. I also appreciate that once users apply for a role, a green indicator appears on that listing so you don’t reapply to the same roles.
To learn more about each role, simply click on the listing you’re interested in. There, you’ll see a more detailed listing on the right side of your screen with an option to expand it. On the left, you’ll see more recommended listings.
The detailed job view includes a checklist of steps indicating where you are in the application process. For example, it might include Resume, Work Authorization, and whether you’ve completed your interview or any required assessments.
Below that is a detailed summary of the role, followed by a bulleted list of key job duties. Next, you’ll find a bulleted list of requirements followed by a list of “Nice to Have” qualifications. Once you’ve applied, the “Apply” button turns into a button to view your application, and on the bottom right side of the listing, you’ll find a button to save jobs you’d like to check back on later.
Getting Hired
As you go through the job application process, you’ll find some roles that don’t require an interview and others that do. For jobs with an interview, you’ll be asked to share your entire screen with the AI interviewer, and you’ll need to make sure your computer’s camera and audio are on. I don’t know if anyone watches your videos, but it’s probably best to make sure you look professional and that you’re in a well-lit environment, just in case.
The AI interviews are fairly straightforward, asking general questions that relate to the skill or domain you’re applying for. If you haven’t been through these before, it can take a little getting used to since the process can feel a bit surreal and one-sided. But the good news is it gets easier after the first interview. It’s also okay to ask for clarification or have the AI repeat a question during the interview process.
Partway through the interview process, users are typically asked to complete several text-based questions that demonstrate how well you’re suited for the type of work you’re applying for. Interviews are also typically reused across different applications.
Once you’ve submitted your application, you’ll receive an email confirmation of your submission. If you don’t get hired, you’ll receive a gently worded rejection letter within about four weeks.
I have only been hired for one of the Mercor roles I applied for. Both my first and second Mercor roles began with an email offering me an “instant offer.” When I clicked the link, I was taken to the contract page for these roles, where I read through the related information and signed my onboarding paperwork. For my third role, the process was fairly similar.
Mercor Pay
I don’t know how much the average Mercor worker makes, but I can tell you the hourly pay for my first two roles was higher than anything I’ve ever made, and that the platform is currently hiring a lot of professionals for upwards of $80 per hour. The higher your credentials, years of work experience, and skills, the higher your pay will tend to be.
That’s not to say that Mercor doesn’t have lower-paid hourly work, although most of that appears to be geared toward users outside of the United States. There are also a few task-based jobs. I’m currently working a part-time, task-based role.
Another great thing about Mercor is that they pay out weekly. Any earnings you’ve made by the Friday morning deadline will pay out on Wednesday via Stripe. However, it generally takes at least a day or two for those earnings to reach your bank. It took me way too long to realize you can avoid this problem by choosing an instant payout option for a small fee, which you can activate in your profile settings.
As for the pay? Projects tend to be limited or cycle in new workers periodically, so don’t get all excited about your new hourly wage and go on a spending spree or take out a loan. Take the work while you can get it, with the awareness that it could be a while before you’re paid like this again.
That said, I’ve managed to pick up around $6,500 over the last couple of months with Mercor…and that’s a lot of spending cash when you’ve got three hungry teenagers.
What it’s Like Working for Mercor
I can’t share specifics about the projects I’ve worked on for Mercor due to the contract I signed when I was hired for each job. But I can tell you it’s been one of the more organized, better-managed platforms to work on as an AI expert.
The work tends to center on your skills and credentials, for which you’re assigned a set of domains you can work under. As a writing and editing professional, I found the work on my first two Mercor projects interesting and engaging, which is a major departure from a lot of the mind-numbing work I performed for Data Annotation.
After signing your contract, you’ll need to follow a set of detailed instructions guiding you through each project’s onboarding process. Depending on the project, it might include downloading specific workflow, productivity, and communication apps. Every project I’ve worked on also requires users to read extensive onboarding information, which I’ve been paid for each time.
And unlike other AI platforms I’ve worked on in the past, Mercor is fantastic about communication. You’ll have a place to connect with your project managers and other project workers, and it’s usually fairly easy to get answers to any questions you run into along the way.
That said, Mercor projects can involve fairly complicated onboarding and instructions. There’s a high expectation for independence, and users should be able to navigate complex instructions on their own without much assistance to do well on this platform.
Unlike some other platforms, Mercor’s work seems to be mostly geared toward computer use. Some projects also require an up-to-date OS, which is how I learned that my MacBook was well overdue for a system update.
Recording Time
I’ve worked for other AI platforms that had a DIY timer system that I found frustrating and difficult to use. With Mercor, users are prompted to download a timer app to their computer. It’s fairly simple to use, accurate, and, in my experience, allows users to record work by task or duty. However, it will give you a nudge if your screen is inactive for a few minutes, something I learned when I was reading through a long page full of instructions on my first project.
The Referral Program
Mercor has the highest-paid referral program I’ve seen on an AI platform. Depending on the project, users can potentially earn hundreds for a successful referral.
In addition to your personal referral link, Mercor allows users to link referral hires to specific roles they may be suited for. Mercor also shows users where the folks they referred are in the hiring process, and users can vouch for their referrals by adding details about those individuals and their professional experience together.
Getting Offboarded
Projects are typically very transparent about what they’ll offboard users for, but those instructions are not all-encompassing. Even if you’re fairly meticulous about following instructions, the work can still dry up, or you can still be offboarded for reasons that remain unclear.
Don’t take it too hard, since, as one project manager emphasized, projects tend to have their reasons, and it doesn’t necessarily mean anything is wrong with your performance if you haven’t broken the rules. That’s life in the big business world, after all.
Summary: Top Three Reasons I Love Mercor
In a nutshell, Mercor has been my favorite AI platform to work under for the following reasons:
- The Pay
- The Support
- The User-Friendly Website
It seems best suited for workers with expert-level credentials. If you’re someone who has been struggling to find a place to apply your bachelor’s degree, Mercor is a great place to make good money in a short time.
Conclusion: Recommendations for New Mercor Users
If you still haven’t signed up for Mercor, now is a great time to check out this piping hot platform. There’s also a large and active Reddit community where users can find lots of information and support, so be sure to join them if you want tips on making the most of your Mercor experience.
After you sign up, set aside some time to fill out every assessment that is relevant to your skills and professional domain and complete any AI interviews you’re offered.
If you receive an instant offer, don’t delay since these roles can fill up pretty quickly. By the same token, you’ll want to get in there and finish as much work as possible as quickly as possible. To ensure you’re performing up to spec, remember to take notes and follow the rules to a T.
Once you’ve finished your assessments, take advantage of Mercor’s learning program. I completed this in about a day, earning a completion certificate at the end of the course.
Looking for more AI training jobs? Check out this list of the top 15 AI training platforms.
Have you had any experience with Mercor? Would you like to recommend any other AI platforms? Let me know in the comments, and good luck in your job search!
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