LinkedIn is Testing an “AI Labor Marketplace” to Rival Mercor and Scale AI

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.