Mercor
Mercor connects vetted experts with AI labs for training data and evaluation work. See 2026 hourly pay rates, enterprise pricing, and how it works.
About Mercor
What is Mercor (2026 update)
Mercor is a talent marketplace that connects vetted professionals, such as physicians, lawyers, engineers, and other domain specialists, with AI labs and enterprises that need human expertise for AI training data, model evaluation, and contract project work. It sits in the business management and talent marketplace category, functioning more like a specialized staffing and data platform than a general job board.
What is new in 2026
Mercor’s growth accelerated sharply through 2026: the company reported roughly $2 billion in annualized gross revenue as of June 2026, up from about $1 billion four months earlier and $760 million at the end of 2025. As of July 2026, Mercor was reported to be in talks to raise $500 million at a $20 billion valuation, roughly double its October 2025 Series C valuation of $10 billion led by Felicis with participation from Benchmark, General Catalyst, and Robinhood Ventures. On the product side, Mercor’s core evaluation system now runs comprehensive candidate assessments through roughly 20-minute video interviews combining experience discussion with case study evaluation, and the platform has expanded into a data-monetization line of business that pays enterprises to anonymize and license their internal workflow data to AI labs.
Key features
- AI-driven candidate screening via structured video interviews and case studies
- Marketplace connecting vetted experts (physicians, lawyers, engineers, consultants) to AI labs
- Human data and evaluation services used to benchmark and improve AI models, including Mercor’s APEX benchmark family
- Enterprise data-monetization program with automated data anonymization
- Enterprise AI deployment support with integrated engineers
- Reported customers include major AI labs such as OpenAI, Anthropic, and Meta
Pricing in 2026
Mercor does not run on a traditional software subscription. Experts are paid per contracted engagement, with an average rate around $112 to $114 per hour reported in mid-2026, and individual role rates ranging roughly from $60 to $250+ per hour depending on domain and seniority. On the buyer side, Mercor does not publish its enterprise fee structure; third-party analysts estimate Mercor’s take rate at around 30 to 35 percent of the gross payment volume flowing between the AI lab or enterprise and the expert. Enterprises are directed to book a demo rather than see a listed price.
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Expert / contractor | Paid per engagement, average ~$112-114/hour | Contract work for AI labs, pay varies by role and seniority ($60-$250+/hr) |
| Enterprise / AI lab | Custom, check the official site (book a demo) | Access to vetted experts, human data/evaluation, APEX benchmarks, enterprise AI deployment |
| Data monetization partner | Custom, referral bonuses reported up to $100,000 | Revenue from licensing anonymized workflow data to AI labs |
Who should use it
Mercor fits AI labs and enterprises that need vetted, highly specialized human experts for training data generation, model evaluation, or short-term technical projects, not general hiring for standard corporate roles. It also fits professionals in fields like medicine, law, and engineering who want flexible, well-paid contract work supporting AI development. It is a weaker fit for companies looking for a conventional recruiting platform for full-time hires, or for job seekers looking for traditional remote employment outside the AI training and evaluation space.
Limitations and alternatives
The lack of published enterprise pricing makes it hard to compare Mercor’s cost directly against competitors without contacting sales, and its focus on AI training/evaluation work means it is not a fit for general staffing needs. Scale AI is a well-known direct competitor in the AI data labeling and evaluation space, Surge AI operates in a similar niche with its own expert network, and Toloka is another platform used for data labeling and human feedback at scale. For companies wanting broader remote-hiring marketplaces beyond AI data work, Upwork or Turing are more general alternatives. Check Mercor’s official site or book a demo for current enterprise pricing, since rates are negotiated per contract.
Frequently asked questions
How does Mercor make money?
Mercor takes a share of the gross payment volume between AI labs/enterprises and the experts they hire, estimated by third-party analysts at around 30 to 35 percent, rather than charging a fixed software subscription.
How much do experts get paid on Mercor?
Reported average rates were around $112 to $114 per hour in mid-2026, with individual roles ranging from about $60 to over $250 per hour depending on domain and seniority.
What is Mercor's 2026 valuation?
Mercor was in talks in July 2026 to raise $500 million at a $20 billion valuation, up from a $10 billion valuation at its October 2025 Series C round.
What are alternatives to Mercor?
Scale AI and Surge AI are direct competitors in AI training data and evaluation, Toloka is used for data labeling at scale, and Upwork or Turing are broader remote-hiring alternatives outside the AI data niche.
Information last verified: September 2026.
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