AfterQuery and DataAnnotation Tech both pay well for expert and coding work, on different schedules. DataAnnotation states $25 to $150 an hour, admits you through one Starter Assessment, and pays by PayPal whenever you withdraw; its FAQ does not list eligible countries. AfterQuery pays every Friday through Stripe in 95 countries, with an $85 median listed rate, and work arrives in two to three week projects. DataAnnotation suits flexible hours. AfterQuery suits short, focused projects in your field.
Quick verdict
AfterQuery $87/hr median (middle half $70 to $115, 172 distinct listed rates across 216 open listings); DataAnnotation Tech has too few listed rates for a median (0 of 0 open listings state one). Updated October 4, 2026. How we count.
Typical Pay (Median)
AfterQuery
$76/hr · 204% higher
Faster Onboarding
Similar
AfterQuery: Medium (assessment, then project invitations) DataAnnotation Tech: Variable (no notice if the assessment does not pass)
Global Access
Limited to Specific Regions
AfterQuery: 95 Stripe payout countries (48 unsupported) DataAnnotation Tech: Not published (FAQ lists no countries)
Trustpilot Score
DataAnnotation Tech
AfterQuery: /5 DataAnnotation Tech: 4.25/5
The Case for AfterQuery
AfterQuery hires through talent pools: each pool has one unpaid assessment, there is no pass or fail notice, and you hear back when a matching project opens. Projects typically run two to three weeks at 10 to 20 hours a week, and listed hourly rates have an $85 median. Pay lands every Friday for the prior week's approved work, through Stripe only, in the 95 countries Stripe pays out to, and the first payout has a 7-day hold.
The Case for DataAnnotation Tech
DataAnnotation admits you through a one-hour Starter Assessment that can only be taken once. Its homepage states $25 to $150 an hour, and its FAQ lists general projects from $25 to $50+ and coding projects from $40 to $150+. You withdraw whenever you like and PayPal delivers within a few days. The FAQ does not list which countries are eligible.
| Metric | AfterQuery | DataAnnotation Tech |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Pay (Median) | $76/hr
Generalist median: $76/hr
Specialist median: $87/hr
| $25/hr
Generalist median: $25/hr
Specialist median: $40/hr
|
| Payment Schedule | Weekly, every Friday (Stripe; Mon-Sun PT pay periods) | On request (PayPal, delivered within a few days) |
| Geo Accessibility | 95 Stripe payout countries (48 unsupported) | Not published (FAQ lists no countries) |
| Onboarding Speed | Medium (assessment, then project invitations) | Variable (no notice if the assessment does not pass) |
| Top User Complaint | "Project-based — work arrives in bursts, not a steady queue" | "Sudden 'ghosting' (No work available)" |
| Trustpilot Rating | /5 | 4.25/5 |
| Full-Time Commitment (35+ hrs/wk, from listings) | 2% (n=48) | Not enough tracked listings yet |
Interview, hours, contract-length, and timezone figures come directly from live job listings we track and manually verify, not platform marketing copy.
AfterQuery
AfterQuery hires ML researchers, PhD scientists and niche-domain professionals (COBOL, audit accounting, atmospheric modeling) as well as generalists. Hourly listings run $15 to $175/hr with an $85 median, legal, finance and quant roles reach $150 to $175/hr, and pay lands every Friday through Stripe. Each talent pool has one unpaid assessment, projects run 2 to 3 weeks at 10 to 20 hrs/wk and arrive in bursts, and payouts reach the 95 countries Stripe supports.
- ✓ Listed hourly rates have an $85 median, up to $175/hr
- ✓ Paid every Friday, with no fees from AfterQuery
- ✓ Niche domain coverage rare elsewhere (COBOL, EDA, climate ML, audit)
Current Openings
3 latest listings from afterquery
Legal Experts
Biology Experts
Medical Expert
DataAnnotation Tech
DataAnnotation pays remote contractors to rank AI responses, check facts, label data and write code, on their own schedule with no minimum hours. Its homepage states $25 to $150 an hour: general projects start at $25 to $50+ and coding projects at $40 to $150+. You get in by passing a one-hour Starter Assessment that can't be retaken, and you withdraw by PayPal whenever you like. Its FAQ doesn't list eligible countries, and support is minimal.
- ✓ States $25 to $150/hr, with coding projects at the top
- ✓ Withdraw by PayPal whenever you like
- ✓ Complete schedule freedom
💬 User Feedback
"Allows you to work on your own schedule, provides engaging tasks and projects, and fantastic experience working with AI models with a vast variety of goals. Not a scam whatsoever—this platform has been reliable and pays well."
– Martin • Dec 25
"When there were projects to work on I never had an issue. Payments are on the spot and always accurate. I wish I could work on more projects but there hasn't been any available for a while now."
– Vittorio F. • Dec 19
AfterQuery vs DataAnnotation Tech: common questions
- Which pays more, AfterQuery or DataAnnotation Tech?
- AfterQuery $87/hr median (middle half $70 to $115, 172 distinct listed rates across 216 open listings); DataAnnotation Tech has too few listed rates for a median (0 of 0 open listings state one). Updated October 4, 2026.
- Which is easier to start, AfterQuery or DataAnnotation Tech?
- Onboarding time is similar. AfterQuery: Medium (assessment, then project invitations). DataAnnotation Tech: Variable (no notice if the assessment does not pass). AfterQuery has no interview-rate data yet; DataAnnotation Tech has no interview-rate data yet.
- Can I work on both AfterQuery and DataAnnotation Tech?
- Yes. Both are independent-contractor platforms with separate accounts and separate payouts (AfterQuery: Weekly, every Friday (Stripe; Mon-Sun PT pay periods); DataAnnotation Tech: On request (PayPal, delivered within a few days)). Exclusivity, where it exists, is set per project in the agreement you sign, so check each project's terms before overlapping hours.
Both platforms are legitimate and widely used. The best choice depends on your background, goals, and location.