LinkedIn is testing an "AI labor marketplace." In a move first reported by Business Insider, the Microsoft-owned platform is now recruiting subject matter experts to train the next generation of generative AI models, offering hourly rates that reach as high as $150.
The strategy marks a shift for LinkedIn, which has historically focused on traditional corporate hiring. Now, the company is leveraging its database of over one billion verified professionals to compete directly with AI staffing companies like Scale AI and Mercor.
The Rise of the AI Trainer
According to LinkedIn data, "AI training" has become one of the fastest-growing job categories in the U.S. market. Unlike general data labeling, these roles require deep industry nuance—a "human-in-the-loop" approach where experts rate chatbot accuracy and challenge systems with complex, real-world scenarios.
What LinkedIn is paying:
- Senior Software Engineers: Up to $150 per hour for complex coding tasks.
- Nursing and Healthcare Professionals: Rates reaching $100 per hour for medical data verification.
- Finance Experts: Up to $100 per hour for high-level data handling and tool proficiency.
- Linguists and Safety Testers: Typically earning between $40 and $50 per hour for "red teaming" or identifying flaws in AI systems.
A Strategic Pivot for Microsoft
A LinkedIn spokesperson confirmed to Business Insider that the company is in "early testing" for this new marketplace. By matching frontier AI labs—such as OpenAI and Anthropic—with verified human talent, LinkedIn is positioning itself as a premium supplier of high-quality training data.
This move comes at a critical time for the industry. Competitors like Mercor have seen valuations soar to $10 billion but are currently grappling with the fallout of significant data breaches. By contrast, LinkedIn is betting that its established reputation for professional verification will give it the edge in a market where "context" is becoming more valuable than raw code.
Utility for Professionals
For users, the entry into this market is largely "opt-out." LinkedIn has already begun utilizing profile data from several regions to train its proprietary models. However, the new "labor marketplace" allows professionals to monetize their expertise actively.
LinkedIn has rolled out features that allow members to receive direct notifications when these high-paying AI training opportunities become available. To find these roles, users are encouraged to search for "AI Content Analyst" or "AI Trainer" within the platform’s job portal.
Emmanuel Umahi
