Both of these platforms want the same thing, which is verified expertise, and both will tell you they pay well for it. The difference is in how you get work and how much of your time the process costs before anything is earned.
What the listings actually pay
Mercor runs an application and interview process up front, then matches you to specific roles. The listings are role-shaped: a defined engagement with a stated rate and a specific expertise requirement. You apply to things that exist rather than waiting in a pool.
| # | Role | Advertised rate | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oncologist | $350 to $450 an hour | Mercor |
| 2 | BigLaw lawyers | $140 to $400 an hour | micro1 |
| 3 | Cardiologist | $350 to $350 an hour | Mercor |
| 4 | Arts, Media & Design Expert | $150 to $350 an hour | micro1 |
| 5 | Corporate Attorney | $140 to $350 an hour | micro1 |
| 6 | CUDA Engineering Expert | $300 to $300 an hour | Mercor |
| 7 | Equity Research Expert | $175 to $300 an hour | micro1 |
| 8 | Street Performing Musician | $100 to $300 an hour | micro1 |
Source: 1456 live listings on this board that publish a rate, read directly from each posting on 2026-10-24. Listings without a published rate are excluded rather than estimated.
What moves your rate
Alignerr, built on Labelbox, leans more toward project matching against a verified profile. The workflow is more modern and the ceiling for credentialed specialists is real, but it is newer and still scaling, which in practice means availability can be less predictable.
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
Which one pays more?
It depends far more on your credential and the specific engagement than on the platform. Both target credentialed experts, and within either, specialist work pays multiples of general task work.
Can I use both at the same time?
Yes. Neither requires exclusivity, and running more than one is the normal pattern among people earning consistently from this work.
Which is better for a doctor or lawyer?
Both actively want licensed professionals. Apply to both, because the engagements differ and availability in any single pipeline is unpredictable.
Which has more consistent work?
Neither guarantees hours. This is project-based work everywhere in the sector, and availability fluctuates with what labs are commissioning.
How do I decide where to start?
Start with whichever has live listings matching your actual expertise today. You can see current roles with published rates on our board.
See every live role
The full board updates several times a week, with the advertised rate on each listing and closed roles removed.