Specialists with advanced degrees in law, medicine, and engineering are increasingly involved in training AI models. These professionals evaluate complex reasoning and verify the accuracy of AI outputs, moving beyond basic data labeling tasks.
As of October 2026, experts with specialized qualifications earn between $80 and $450 per hour. Top-tier specialists can command up to $1,000 per hour, while generalist data workers earn between $10 and $65 per hour.
The platform Mercor currently manages approximately 30,000 active contractors. The company reports daily payouts to these workers ranging from $1.5 million to $4 million, with average expert rates on the platform between $85 and $108 per hour.
Demand for skilled professionals is highest in the fields of law, medicine, and finance. As of mid-October 2026, thousands of specialized AI training roles remain open to meet the needs of maturing AI systems that require domain-specific knowledge.
