Micro1 and SME Careers both screen experts with an AI interview and both contract through Deel. Micro1 pays in USD twice a month, with a $67.50 median listed rate and legal and healthcare roles at the top. SME Careers, SuperAnnotate's network, pays weekly for each Monday to Sunday and works in any country Deel supports; its listings publish a maximum rate only, so typical pay is lower than the figure shown. SME Careers pays more often. Micro1 publishes fuller rate information.
Quick verdict
Micro1 $70/hr median (middle half $35 to $115, 328 distinct listed rates across 393 open listings); SME Careers has too few listed rates for a median (2 of 261 open listings state one). Updated October 4, 2026. How we count.
Typical Pay (Median)
Not comparable
Not enough rate data to compare.
Faster Onboarding
Micro1
Micro1: Fast (AI interview, results can arrive the next day) SME Careers: Variable (AI interview, then project matching)
Global Access
Limited to Specific Regions
Micro1: Global, except about 20 listed countries SME Careers: Countries supported by Deel
Trustpilot Score
Micro1
Micro1: 4.6/5 SME Careers: 4.3/5
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.
The Case for SME Careers
SME Careers is SuperAnnotate's network for subject matter experts. You apply with a CV and take a recorded AI interview, some roles add a qualification exam or a call with the recruiting team, and a human makes every final hiring decision. Contracts run through Deel in any country Deel supports, and payouts are weekly for each Monday to Sunday. Listings publish a maximum rate only, so typical pay is below the figure shown.
| Metric | Micro1 | SME Careers |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Pay (Median) | $58/hr
Generalist median: $57.5/hr
Specialist median: $70/hr
| – |
| Payment Schedule | Twice a month in USD (Deel) | Weekly (Deel, Monday to Sunday) |
| Geo Accessibility | Global, except about 20 listed countries | Countries supported by Deel |
| Onboarding Speed | Fast (AI interview, results can arrive the next day) | Variable (AI interview, then project matching) |
| Top User Complaint | "Unpaid training steps" | "Strict quality control periods" |
| Trustpilot Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Interview Required (from listings) | 100% (n=42) | 100% (n=97) |
| Full-Time Commitment (35+ hrs/wk, from listings) | 0% (n=92) | 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.
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
SME Careers
SME Careers is SuperAnnotate's network for subject matter experts who train and evaluate AI models. You apply with a CV and take a recorded AI interview, some roles add a qualification exam or a call, and a human makes the final hiring decision. Contracts and weekly payouts run through Deel, in any country Deel supports. Listings publish a maximum rate only, so expect typical pay below the figure shown.
- ✓ Weekly payouts through Deel
- ✓ Open in any country Deel supports
- ✓ A human is involved in every final hiring decision
💬 User Feedback
"The people here are awesome—both the SuperAnnotate team and the high-quality colleagues I worked with. This was my first time, and despite some early snags, the team was incredibly supportive. The work is meaningful and the payment is reliable."
– Tina S. • Nov 2
"SuperAnnotate is a great company. The work has been pretty steady, and the leaders are excellent."
– Michael N. • Nov 2
Current Openings
3 latest listings from SME Careers
Workforce Experience Specialists
Legal & Compliance Specialist
Finance & Accounting Specialist
Micro1 vs SME Careers: common questions
- Which pays more, Micro1 or SME Careers?
- Micro1 $70/hr median (middle half $35 to $115, 328 distinct listed rates across 393 open listings); SME Careers has too few listed rates for a median (2 of 261 open listings state one). Updated October 4, 2026.
- Which is easier to start, Micro1 or SME Careers?
- Micro1 onboards faster. Micro1: Fast (AI interview, results can arrive the next day). SME Careers: Variable (AI interview, then project matching). 100% of Micro1's 42 tracked listings require an interview; 100% of SME Careers's 97 tracked listings require an interview.
- Can I work on both Micro1 and SME Careers?
- Yes. Both are independent-contractor platforms with separate accounts and separate payouts (Micro1: Twice a month in USD (Deel); SME Careers: Weekly (Deel, Monday to Sunday)). 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.