Engineering is the largest category on the board by listing count, and it contains two genuinely different markets: hourly contract evaluation work, and full-time salaried roles at the labs themselves.
What the listings actually pay
Across 98 live listings in this category that publish a rate, the median top-of-range is $100 an hour, reaching $300 at the top. Those two get averaged together in most published figures, which is how you end up with quoted salaries that match neither. We keep them separate below.
| # | Role | Advertised rate | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CUDA Engineering Expert | $300 to $300 an hour | Mercor |
| 2 | Machine Learning Engineer Talent Network | $70 to $250 an hour | Mercor |
| 3 | UK-Based Data Engineering Experts | $140 to $200 an hour | Mercor |
| 4 | AI Software Engineering Domain Expert | $100 to $200 an hour | micro1 |
| 5 | AI/ML Engineer | $70 to $200 an hour | micro1 |
| 6 | Engineering / Platform Professionals | $80 to $160 an hour | Mercor |
| 7 | Open Source Applied Engineer Talent Network | $100 to $150 an hour | Mercor |
| 8 | Backend Engineer Talent Network | $70 to $150 an hour | Mercor |
| 9 | Software Engineering Expert | $50 to $150 an hour | Mercor |
| 10 | Frontend Engineer Specialist | $90 to $140 an hour | micro1 |
Source: 98 live listings on this board that publish a rate, read directly from each posting on 2026-09-05. Listings without a published rate are excluded rather than estimated.
What moves your rate
Every listing below links to the full role with its own requirements and application link. Rates shown are what the listing itself advertises, and listings without a published rate are left out rather than estimated.
How to apply
Every role above links to its own page with the full requirements and a direct application link. Applications are completed on the hiring platform and typically take a few minutes, with a short skills assessment in place of an interview.
Two things are worth doing before you apply. Check whether the role accepts applicants from your country using the eligibility checker, and run the advertised rate through the take-home calculator, because this is contract work and the headline rate is before self-employment tax.
Frequently asked questions
What do AI jobs for engineers pay?
Across 98 live listings in this category with published rates, the median top-of-range is $100 an hour and the highest currently reaches $300.
Is this hourly or salaried?
Both exist. Most listings are hourly contract work you can do alongside a job. A smaller set are full-time salaried positions at labs, listed with an annual range.
Do I need machine learning experience?
For code evaluation work, no. You need to be a strong engineer who reads unfamiliar code carefully. Research roles do require ML background.
Is this contract or employment?
Nearly all of it is contract work, paid hourly for approved hours. That means no benefits and you handle your own taxes, which our take-home calculator accounts for.
Can I do this alongside a full-time job?
Yes, and most people do. The work is asynchronous with no set shifts, so it fits into evenings and weekends without a scheduling conflict.
See every live role
The full board updates several times a week, with the advertised rate on each listing and closed roles removed.