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DataAnnotation

Related names: Data Annotation · Surge AI

Surge AI’s platform for AI training tasks for generalists and domain experts, including coding, language work, data labeling and response evaluation.

Domain expertiseCoding & technicalLanguage & writingData annotationAI evaluation

Applying and requirements

Applications

Official information

DataAnnotation accepts applications only through its verified sign-up flow at app.dataannotation.tech.

Platform application-channel policy on the public Trust & Safety page.

Availability advertised in 50+ countries

Official information

DataAnnotation says its service is available in more than 50 countries.

The About page does not name those countries or establish which projects are available in each. This is a platform marketing statement, not an individual eligibility determination.

One-attempt Starter Assessment and identity verification

Official information

DataAnnotation says the Starter Assessment can be taken only once, with no retakes. Most take about an hour; specialized assessments may take one to two hours. Its identity check uses Persona and can require photos of a government ID plus a moving selfie.

No signup fees or minimum hours.

Sources checked 2026-09-09 – 2026-09-12

Pay

PayPal withdrawals

Payment terms

DataAnnotation sends payments through PayPal and says deposits arrive within a few days after a withdrawal request.

A PayPal account and its correct email address are needed to receive payment.

Generalist and domain-expert rates

Advertised rate

DataAnnotation advertises $25–$50/hour for generalists. Many finance, accounting, legal, medical, STEM, cybersecurity and design roles list $75–$125+/hour; coding and data/ML roles list $75–$150+/hour. Paralegal, nursing and healthcare-compliance examples list $60–$125+/hour. Language-specialist roles list $25–$40/hour.

Homepage role categories; each range belongs to the work described. Currency and geographic scope are unspecified.

Sources checked 2026-09-10 – 2026-09-12

Location and access

Access to projects

Some tasks reportedly require US presence

Worker report

Two replies in a public worker discussion say certain US projects require contributors to be physically in the United States, rather than merely holding US citizenship or residence.

Anonymous accounts about particular projects; the project instructions have not been independently verified.

Working abroad

A worker describes contacting support before travel

Worker report

One contributor said they message support in advance through a travel enquiry and had worked while visiting Mexico and several other regions.

A personal report, not standing travel permission or evidence that project access and pay remain unchanged when relocating.

Sources checked 2026-09-10

Worker experiences

Selected public accounts. Experiences are self-reported.

Sources checked 2026-09-10

Independent reporting

Historical coverage of side income

Source published: 2024-04-02

TIME’s 2024 article quoted a DataAnnotation contributor who described useful side income and tasks that came and went. DataAnnotation did not respond to the publication’s request for comment.

Historical reporting from 2024, based on a public contributor account rather than independently verified earnings.

2025 contractor-classification lawsuit

Source published: 2025-05-20

Inc. reported on 20 May 2025 that a California suit against Surge Labs alleged DataAnnotation workers were misclassified and denied pay for training or time beyond task limits. Surge did not respond to Inc.’s request for comment.

Allegations in Cavalier v. Surge Labs, CGC-25-625502; no court finding is reported here.

Sources checked 2026-09-10 – 2026-09-12

Sources

Summary sources and related names

Reviewed 2026-09-12.

Related names: Data Annotation · Surge AI