Entry level AI jobs

Entry routes compared

Checked 17 October 2026 at each platform's own page.

What the work is

None of these routes asks you to build models. The tasks are judgment work:

• Rating and comparing AI answers. DataAnnotation lists evaluating chatbot responses, comparing AI outputs and flagging factual errors as general-tier work starting at $25 an hour.
• Writing hard prompts and grading rubrics. Outlier's homepage lists writing a challenging prompt, creating grading rubrics, and rating and ranking answers as its three common tasks.
• Evaluation projects for students. Handshake's AI Fellowship page lists an "AI Evaluation Specialist" at up to $17 an hour, open to bachelor's, master's and PhD students and graduates.
• Research studies. Prolific lists paid studies posted by researchers, including AI tasking and data annotation studies with their own premium rates; every study must pay at least £6 or $8 an hour.

These are the same tasks covered in our guide to AI training jobs, and labeling-style tasks are covered in data annotation jobs.

What entry level AI jobs pay

Checked 17 October 2026 at each platform's own page and NACE.

Prolific's researcher help article states: "We enforce a minimum hourly rate of £6 / $8, and recommend paying at least £9 / $12 per hour." The hourly contract rates above are not salaries; at 10 hours a week, $25 an hour is $250 a week before taxes and fees. For comparison, NACE projects an average starting base salary of $81,535 for Class of 2026 computer sciences graduates, the highest of any major category, based on 150 employer responses.

AI jobs with no experience: what each platform actually checks

DataAnnotation. The general track needs "strong writing and critical thinking rather than job history," per the FAQ, so a bachelor's holder with no work history can qualify for $25 to $30 or more an hour. The starter assessment takes about an hour and "you can only take the Starter Assessment once." Identity checks use a government photo ID through Persona. For the full picture, read our DataAnnotation review.

Outlier. The Outlier FAQ says "you need at least an associate degree," and its homepage says "No AI experience needed." You need a valid ID and mobile phone from your country, a resume and a LinkedIn profile. Onboarding takes 30 to 90 minutes, and you see the rate before each project. Our Outlier AI review covers pay evidence and complaints.

Handshake AI. The program says "no AI experience required" but requires US residence and supported work authorization. Its work authorization help article lists US citizens, permanent residents, and F-1 students on CPT or OPT approved by their school official as eligible, and excludes STEM OPT, J-1, H-1B and TN holders. An SSN or ITIN is required to be paid.

Prolific. Its participant eligibility page says you must be over 18 with a verified account and live in a supported country; eligibility depends on where you live, not your nationality.

How to start

1. Pick one platform that matches your paperwork (day 1). No degree: Prolific. Associate degree: Outlier. Bachelor's: DataAnnotation. US student: Handshake AI.
2. Prepare your ID and documents (day 1). Every route above runs an identity check. Turn off any VPN before verification; DataAnnotation's FAQ warns that a VPN can force a redo.
3. Take the assessment slowly (week 1). DataAnnotation gives one attempt and says successful applicants spend more time on thorough answers. Outlier's skill screenings decide which projects you see.
4. Do your first project (weeks 1 to 3). Expect onboarding first. Outlier's role pages say lower rates may apply during initial onboarding.
5. Get your first payout (week 2 onward). Outlier pays on Tuesdays for the prior week; DataAnnotation sends PayPal deposits within a few days of your request.

AI jobs for beginners: before you sign up

• The platform names its operator on its own site or in named reporting.
• The rate is shown before you accept work.
• You never pay a fee. DataAnnotation's FAQ says "We will never ask for money from you for anything."
• You apply only through the platform's own sign-up page.
• You know the payout method and have that account ready (PayPal for DataAnnotation).
• You have read the platform's contractor terms; all four routes treat you as a contractor or study participant, not an employee.

Scam warning

DataAnnotation's Trust and Safety page says people have "used our name and brand to commit fraud" and that you should ignore anyone who contacts you outside its recruitment team. Handshake keeps a help article on spotting fake invitations, because international fellowship spots are invite-only. Any "AI training job" that asks for a starter-kit fee, a deposit, or your bank details before you log in to the real platform is a scam.

The salaried route, later

Entry-level salaried AI engineer jobs exist mostly as new-graduate programs, and many postings rule out beginners. Databricks' AI engineer posting says it "is not intended for internship, new graduate, or entry-level applicants," and Anthropic's Applied AI Engineer posting asks for 4 or more years of experience. Contract evaluation work builds the habits those teams list: careful evaluation, written reasoning and familiarity with model behavior. See our AI engineer salary guide for what those roles pay, and AI internships for student programs with deadlines.

Sources

• DataAnnotation FAQ and Trust and Safety page
• Outlier FAQ, homepage and role pages
• Handshake AI program page and work authorization help article
• Prolific researcher help article on rewards and participant eligibility page
• NACE, Class of 2026 salary projections, 26 January 2026
• Databricks and Anthropic job postings

How we researched this

On 17 October 2026 we read each platform's FAQ, help center or program page and recorded the entry requirement, the identity check, the pay as published with its unit, and the payout method. We compared those routes with live employer postings and NACE's Winter 2026 salary survey to show where contract work sits against salaried roles. Our method is on how we rank, and every AI jobs guide is on the AI jobs hub.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best entry level AI jobs with no experience? DataAnnotation's general track is the strongest pick, starting at $25 an hour for a bachelor's holder with no work history. Outlier, Handshake AI and Prolific are the other open routes.

Can I get an AI job without a degree? Yes, through Prolific, which requires you to be over 18 with a verified account in a supported country. DataAnnotation also accepts equivalent real-world experience instead of a bachelor's degree.

How much do beginner AI training jobs pay? Published rates run from Prolific's £6 or $8 an hour minimum to DataAnnotation's $25 to $50 or more an hour for general projects.

Do I need to know coding for entry level AI jobs? No. DataAnnotation says no coding is needed for general projects, and Outlier says no AI experience is needed.

Can international students do AI training jobs in the US? Sometimes. Handshake AI accepts F-1 students on CPT or OPT approved by their school official, but not STEM OPT, J-1 or H-1B holders.

How fast do entry level AI jobs pay? Outlier pays weekly on Tuesdays for the prior week's work. DataAnnotation delivers PayPal deposits within a few days of a request.

Are AI training jobs a path to an AI engineer career? They build evaluation skills, but salaried AI engineer postings at Databricks and Anthropic ask for production experience. Treat training work as a first step, not a shortcut.

What do new computer science graduates earn? NACE projects an average starting base salary of $81,535 for Class of 2026 computer sciences graduates.

Is it safe to give ID to AI training platforms? On the official sites, yes; DataAnnotation, for example, uses Persona for identity checks. Never send ID or bank details to anyone who contacts you outside the platform's own sign-up flow.