Pay side by side
What each pays per hour
Typical range, median, and the range of the top 10% of roles.
- Mercor 286 roles median $80/hr top 10% $130–400
- Handshake AI 230 roles median $80/hr top 10% $125–300
Choose Mercor if
- you work in other expertise and maths & stem
- you're aiming for the top rates ($130+/hr for its top 10%)
Expert network that hires professionals (doctors, lawyers, engineers, PhDs and more) for AI lab projects. Applications include a short AI interview.
See 286 Mercor rolesChoose Handshake AI if
- you work in other expertise and maths & stem
Handshake’s AI fellowship: students, graduates and PhDs evaluate and improve AI models on flexible part-time projects (US, India and Canada).
See 230 Handshake AI rolesMercor vs Handshake AI: common questions
Does Mercor or Handshake AI pay more?
As of 19 October 2026, both have a median of $80/hr. The top 10% of roles pay $130+/hr on Mercor and $125+/hr on Handshake AI.
Which has more jobs, Mercor or Handshake AI?
Mercor has more open roles today: 286 against 230. 40 Mercor roles and 1 Handshake AI roles were posted in the last week.
Can I work for both Mercor and Handshake AI?
Both hire independent contractors, and their job postings don't ask you to work only for them. Check each platform's contractor terms before you sign, as some projects come with confidentiality or exclusivity rules.