AI training work for physicists

Physics AI trainer jobs

As of October 29, 2026, we track 42 live AI training roles that fit physicists, across 5 platforms. The median listed rate is $75/hr; half of roles pay between $55 and $95, and the best lists up to $400/hr. 6 more roles list only a ceiling (median up to $63/hr), so they aren't in that median. 0 were posted in the last 7 days.

Physics roles hire physicists to write hard problems with checkable answers and to grade step-by-step derivations.

Key findings

The median role pays $75/hr, 25% above the $60/hr median across all AI training roles we track.
Roles that ask for a PhD pay a median $95/hr, 36% more than roles that ask for no credential ($70/hr; 17 and 16 roles).
Mercor lists the highest median for this work ($95/hr across 12 roles); Alignerr the lowest ($45/hr).
Most of these roles are open outside the US: only 19% are limited to the United States.
All roles that state a commitment are part-time or flexible, and the typical stated cap is 20 hours a week (19 roles state hours).

From 42 live listings on October 29, 2026. Pay is the midpoint of each listed hourly range. Methodology

Best-paid physics AI trainer roles open now

Pay by area

Median listed hourly pay for live roles in each area, matched from the listing's title and description; a role can count in more than one.

Physics AI trainer pay by area
Area	Roles	Median	Middle half	Top
Condensed matter and materialssmall sample	2	$123/hr	n/a	$200
Aerospace and fluidssmall sample	3	$100/hr	n/a	$120
Quantumsmall sample	3	$95/hr	n/a	$200
Astrophysics and astronomysmall sample	2	$90/hr	n/a	$110

Does a credential pay more?

60% of these listings name a credential. This compares what roles pay by what they ask for, against roles that name none.

Physics AI trainer pay by required credential
Listing asks for	Roles	Median	Middle half	Top
PhD	21	$95/hr	$70-$100	$400
No credential stated	17	$70/hr	$45-$78	$120
Master's	10	$50/hr	$45-$70	$125

Pay by platform

Each platform pays and screens differently. Profiles cover payout timing, fees and worker reports.

Physics AI trainer pay by platform
Platform	Roles	Median	Middle half	Top
Mercor	13	$95/hr	$81-$95	$120
OpenTrain	11	$75/hr	$73-$130	$400
Alignerr	11	$45/hr	$45-$60	$120
Handshake AI (“up to” rates)	6	$63/hr	$53-$72	$125
micro1small sample	1	$100/hr	n/a	$120

Hours, schedule and where you can work

Mostly part-time. 100% of the 30 roles that state a commitment are part-time or flexible. The typical stated cap is 20 hours a week (from 19 roles), with a high of 40.
Location limits. 19% are limited to the United States, 8 name specific countries, and 26 state no country limit.
Contract work. You're paid as an independent contractor, so nothing is withheld for tax. See take-home at $75/hr or read taxes for AI trainers.

What the work looks like

Writing problems with verified numerical or symbolic answers
Grading derivations and catching unit or sign errors
Reviewing explanations of experiments and instruments

What gets you hired

Name your area (quantum, condensed matter, astrophysics, optics); the credential table on this page shows what live roles ask for.

Shortlist roles that name your training. Specific listings fill faster than general talent pools.
Expect a screen: most platforms run an AI interview or a skills test first. How the screens work.
Apply only on the platform's own site. No real platform charges you to apply; check a recruiter message if you're unsure.
Plan for gaps between projects, and set money aside for tax from day one.

Browse by field: Physics.

All 42 live roles for physicists

Top payany

PhD roles42 roles

Disclosure: Mercor and micro1 pay us a referral bonus if someone we send gets hired. Neither program's rules deduct it from your pay, and roles are ranked by pay, never by bonus. How we make money

Questions people ask

How much do physics AI trainer jobs pay?

As of October 29, 2026, the median live role pays $75 an hour, half pay between $55 and $95, and the best listed rate is $400. That's 25% above the $60 median across all AI training roles.

Which area pays the most?

Right now Condensed matter and materials (median $123/hr across 2 roles, a small sample). The full breakdown is on this page and updates daily.

Do I need a license or degree?

60% of these listings name a credential. Roles asking for a PhD pay a median $95/hr, against $70/hr for roles that name none. Name your area (quantum, condensed matter, astrophysics, optics); the credential table on this page shows what live roles ask for.

Can I do this work outside the US?

19% of these roles are limited to the United States. 26 state no country limit, and 8 name specific countries; each listing shows where it's open.

Is it full-time?

Rarely. 100% of roles that state a commitment are part-time or flexible, and the typical stated cap is 20 hours a week. Projects can pause or end with little notice, so most people do it alongside their main job.

Which platforms hire physicists?

Right now: Mercor (13 roles, median $95/hr), OpenTrain (11 roles, median $75/hr), Alignerr (11 roles, median $45/hr), Handshake AI (“up to” rates) (6 roles, median $63/hr), micro1 (1 roles, median $100/hr).

How do I get hired?

Pick roles that match your training, then expect an AI interview or a skills test before you're matched to a project. Apply only through the platform's own site; no real platform charges you to apply.

How these numbers work: AI Training Pay reads the public listings of five AI training platforms every day and normalizes pay to an hourly rate. A role counts for physicists when it is in physics. Figures marked small sample rest on fewer than 5 roles. Full methodology.

Physics AI trainer jobs

Key findings

Best-paid physics AI trainer roles open now

Pay by area

Does a credential pay more?

Pay by platform

Hours, schedule and where you can work

What the work looks like

What gets you hired

All 42 live roles for physicists

Computer Science and Physics Research Scientist

Physicist

Physicist (PhD), Statistical Physics, Quantum Information & Condensed Matter

Physics Expert

Physicist, PhD

Aerodynamics and CFD AI Training Expert

Aerodynamics Expert (MSc. or PhD)

Life, Physical & Social Science Expert

Physics Expert

Astronomy Quality Assurance Lead

Condensed Matter Physicist (PhD)

Fluid Dynamics and Convection Stability Physicist (PhD)

High Energy Physicist (PhD)

Mathematical Physicist (PhD)

Quantum Information Science Physicist (PhD)

Statistical Physics and Thermodynamics Physicist (PhD)

Stochastic Biophysics Physicist (PhD)

Physics Expert

Astronomy and Space Science AI Evaluator

Nuclear Physics AI Training Expert

Physical Scientist Talent Network

Physicist Talent Network

Applied Physics

Applied Physics Specialist

Applied Physics Benchmark Specialist

Physics AI Response Evaluation Expert

Physics Expert

Physics Quality Assurance Lead

Physics AI Training Expert

Physics Expert (India)

Physics Expert (Mexico)

Physics Expert or Specialist

Physics Expert Python Research Experience

Especialista em Física – AI Content Specialist

Experto en Física – AI Content Specialist

Physics Masters

Physics Subject Matter Expert - AI Content Specialist

Physics Subject Matter Expert – AI Content Specialist

Physics Subject Matter Expert – AI Training Specialist

Physics Expert

Questions people ask

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