The Handshake AI Fellowship and Micro1 both hire people with degrees to evaluate AI models. Handshake AI is US-only, states $40 to $125 an hour, and pays weekly through Stripe after ID, background and assessment checks. Micro1 is open to most countries, screens with its AI interviewer Zara, and pays in USD twice a month through Deel, with legal and healthcare roles posting its highest rates. In the US, compare the open roles in your field. Outside it, Micro1 is open to you and Handshake AI is not.
Quick verdict
Handshake pays more on live listings: Handshake $80/hr median (middle half $75 to $100, 206 distinct listed rates across 210 open listings) vs Micro1 $70/hr median (middle half $35 to $115, 328 distinct listed rates across 393 open listings). Updated October 4, 2026. How we count.
Typical Pay (Median)
Handshake
$80/hr listed median · 14% higher
Faster Onboarding
Micro1
Handshake: Varies (ID check, background check, assessment) Micro1: Fast (AI interview, results can arrive the next day)
Global Access
Limited to Specific Regions
Handshake: US only (valid work authorization; F-1 CPT/OPT eligible) Micro1: Global, except about 20 listed countries
Trustpilot Score
Micro1
Handshake: 1.5/5 Micro1: 4.6/5
The Case for Handshake
The Handshake AI Fellowship is open to US-based applicants with valid work authorization; F-1 students on CPT or OPT can qualify, STEM OPT is excluded. Onboarding includes an ID check, a background check and an assessment, and no prior AI experience is required. The fellowship page states $40 to $125 an hour, and payouts go out weekly through Stripe. A proposed class action filed in July 2026 alleges fellows are misclassified as contractors.
The Case for Micro1
Micro1 vets you once with Zara, its AI interviewer: 20 to 30 minutes on camera with screen share, with live coding on technical tracks, and results that can arrive the next day. Listed rates have a $67.50 median, with legal and healthcare roles at the top and language roles at the bottom. Onboarding includes KYC identity verification, and pay runs through Deel in USD twice a month.
| Metric | Handshake | Micro1 |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Pay (Median) | $85/hr
Generalist median: $85/hr
Specialist median: $80/hr
| $58/hr
Generalist median: $57.5/hr
Specialist median: $70/hr
|
| Payment Schedule | Weekly via Stripe, by Wednesday for the prior Mon-Sun week | Twice a month in USD (Deel) |
| Geo Accessibility | US only (valid work authorization; F-1 CPT/OPT eligible) | Global, except about 20 listed countries |
| Onboarding Speed | Varies (ID check, background check, assessment) | Fast (AI interview, results can arrive the next day) |
| Top User Complaint | "Employer spam" | "Unpaid training steps" |
| Trustpilot Rating | 1.5/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Interview Required (from listings) | Not enough tracked listings yet | 100% (n=42) |
| Full-Time Commitment (35+ hrs/wk, from listings) | Not enough tracked listings yet | 0% (n=92) |
Interview, hours, contract-length, and timezone figures come directly from live job listings we track and manually verify, not platform marketing copy.
Handshake
The Handshake AI Fellowship pays people with associate to PhD backgrounds to evaluate and improve AI models. It is open to US-based applicants with valid work authorization, and the fellowship page states $40 to $125 an hour. Onboarding includes an ID check, a background check and an assessment, and payouts go out weekly through Stripe. A proposed class action filed in July 2026 alleges fellows are misclassified as contractors; Handshake had not responded as of August 2026.
- ✓ Fellowship page states $40 to $125 an hour
- ✓ Weekly payouts through Stripe
- ✓ No prior AI experience required
💬 User Feedback
"I still freelance with them. They are kind, helpful and understanding. I am always paid on time and paid very well. The platform connects students with real employers who respect their time."
– Barbara D. • Dec 27
Current Openings
3 latest listings from Handshake
Management Consultant
Technical Professional
Robotics Engineering Expert
Micro1
Micro1 vets professionals once with its AI interviewer, Zara, then matches them to projects that train and evaluate AI models. Engineering is one track among many: legal, healthcare, STEM, business and language roles make up most of the board. Listed hourly rates have a $67.50 median, legal and healthcare roles post the highest, and pay runs through Deel in USD twice a month.
- ✓ One AI interview covers future role matches
- ✓ Paid in USD twice a month through Deel
- ✓ Open to most countries worldwide
💬 User Feedback
"Everything was good. Only after the interview it asked me to upload my CV but suddenly the screen changed before I could upload it. Minor hiccup aside, the AI interview process was smooth and professional."
– Hassan • Jan 22
"The entire interview setup was incredibly exemplary. I barely found any hitch or difficulties while answering the questions. The AI interviewer was responsive and the process felt natural."
– Arham • Jan 22
Current Openings
3 latest listings from Micro1
Simulation Expert — Real-to-Sim 3D Environments & Assets
Investment Banking Associate
Korean Language Expert
Handshake vs Micro1: common questions
- Which pays more, Handshake or Micro1?
- Handshake pays more on live listings: Handshake $80/hr median (middle half $75 to $100, 206 distinct listed rates across 210 open listings) vs Micro1 $70/hr median (middle half $35 to $115, 328 distinct listed rates across 393 open listings). Updated October 4, 2026.
- Which is easier to start, Handshake or Micro1?
- Micro1 onboards faster. Handshake: Varies (ID check, background check, assessment). Micro1: Fast (AI interview, results can arrive the next day). Handshake has no interview-rate data yet; 100% of Micro1's 42 tracked listings require an interview.
- Can I work on both Handshake and Micro1?
- Yes. Both are independent-contractor platforms with separate accounts and separate payouts (Handshake: Weekly via Stripe, by Wednesday for the prior Mon-Sun week; Micro1: Twice a month in USD (Deel)). 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.