URGENT UPDATE: The AI training industry is surging, with freelance data labelers now earning up to $100 per hour. A new report reveals how five individuals broke into this lucrative side hustle, highlighting their earnings and experiences in a booming field critical for major companies like Meta and OpenAI.
As AI companies face a scarcity of publicly available data, they are hiring thousands of freelancers worldwide to teach their chatbots. This growing demand has transformed data labeling into a flexible and profitable option for many, including parents, students, and full-time professionals.
Jessica Hamilton from Illinois started her AI training journey for some extra “beer money” while in college. Since joining the platform Prolific in May 2024, she has earned approximately $1,200 in September alone, using her earnings to pay off student loans and even fund a trip to the Paris Olympics.
In Florida, Elizabeth Boyd transitioned from content creation to AI training after receiving a LinkedIn message in July 2023. Now, Boyd works 30-35 hours a week on platforms like Remotasks and Mercor and reports earnings of $45 to $50 per hour. The flexibility and competitive pay have made AI training her primary income source.
Ryan Adams from Virginia discovered the Outlier platform through a Google search. Balancing this side hustle with a full-time job at a nonprofit, he has earned around $31,000 in just over a year. Adams credits this income for enhancing his financial stability and building his savings.
Meanwhile, Fred Nau, a chemistry teacher, started with Outlier in early 2024 due to a recruiter’s outreach. Working about 15-20 hours a week, Nau has made around $15,000, using the extra income for a down payment and vacations. He encourages other educators to explore AI training to better understand tools that students are increasingly using.
Finally, Peter Intile from Wisconsin, with a background in microbiology and immunology, joined Prolific at the end of the pandemic. He has earned between $20 to $100 a day, using his earnings for holiday gifts and family outings. Intile finds satisfaction in knowing his work contributes to valuable research data.
These freelancers highlight not only the potential for significant earnings but also the importance of human input in AI development. As the industry evolves, platforms like Prolific, Remotasks, and Outlier are becoming essential for companies striving to enhance their AI systems.
What’s Next: With AI training jobs rapidly expanding, more individuals are likely to enter this field. As companies continue to seek out skilled freelancers, the landscape of work in AI will transform further, making it a critical area to watch in the coming months.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as we track the evolving dynamics of the AI training industry.
