# AI Training Payment Methods: How Each Program Pays

> How AI training programs pay: Outlier, DataAnnotation, Mercor, Handshake AI, micro1 and more, with method, schedule, currency and fees from help centres.

Canonical: https://origindatapartners.com/guides/ai-training-payment-methods
By: Origin Data Partners
Status: Published
Published: 2026-11-14
Updated: 2026-11-14
Sources checked: 2026-11-14

## Quick answer

Each AI training program pays on its own cycle and through its own provider. From their help centres on 14 November 2026: Outlier pays weekly on Tuesdays by PayPal, Airtm or ACH; DataAnnotation pays by PayPal a few days after you request it; Mercor pays every Wednesday in US dollars through Stripe or Wise, assigned by region; Handshake AI pays through Stripe by Wednesday afternoon; micro1 pays twice a month in US dollars through Deel; Turing pays monthly. Most do not publish a minimum payout; Prolific's is $6/£6.

## Key points

- You rarely choose the provider: Mercor assigns Stripe or Wise by region, and Alignerr and CrowdGen offer methods depending on location.
- Few programs publish fees. Mercor states Standard payouts are free and Instant payouts cost 1.0%.
- Payout accounts must be in your own legal name at Mercor and Turing, and an SSN or ITIN is required at Handshake AI.

## How each AI training program pays

This table covers method, schedule and currency only, from each program's own help pages read on 14 November 2026. For how much each program pays per hour, see [AI trainer pay rates compared](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/ai-training-pay-rates). Not stated means the program's pages we read did not say.

| Program | Payout method | Schedule | Currency | Minimum or fees, as stated |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Alignerr](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/is-alignerr-legit) | Stripe Connect or PayPal, depending on location | Not stated on its process page | Not stated | Not stated |
| CrowdGen by Appen | PayPal, Payoneer, Airtm, Swift and more by location; local bank in most areas | Not stated | Not stated | Built-in wallet to reduce transactions |
| [DataAnnotation](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/is-dataannotation-legit) | PayPal | Within a few days after you request a payout | Not stated | Not stated |
| [Handshake AI](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/handshake-ai-jobs) | Stripe | Weekly, by Wednesday afternoon, for Monday-Sunday (PST) of the previous week | Not stated | Not stated; tax form (W-9 or W-8BEN) required |
| [Mercor](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/mercor-jobs) | Stripe Connect or Wise, assigned by region | Every Wednesday around 12:00 PM PST, for the Saturday-Friday (IST) week | Contracts in USD; provider converts to local currency | Standard payout free; Instant payout 1.0%; first Stripe payout held 7 days |
| [micro1](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/micro1-jobs) | Deel (payroll.micro1.ai) | Twice a month: 1st-15th paid around the 20th; 16th-end around the 5th | USD | Not stated; US contractors may wait one more business day |
| [Mindrift](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/is-mindrift-legit) | Payoneer or Tipalti (PayPal) | Twice a month, on the 5th and 20th | Not stated | Not stated |
| [Outlier](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/is-outlier-ai-legit) | PayPal, Airtm or ACH bank transfer | Weekly on Tuesdays, for the previous Tuesday-Monday (UTC) | Not stated | Not stated |
| [Prolific](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/is-prolific-legit) | PayPal | Cash out when you choose; instant after your first 4 cashouts | Not stated on that page | Cash out once you have $6/£6 |
| [Turing](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/is-turing-legit) | USD wallet (Airwallex), then bank transfer | Monthly, by the 5th business day of the next month | USD wallet; bank in local currency | Cryptocurrency not supported |

Sources, read 14 November 2026: [Alignerr process](https://www.alignerr.com/process); [CrowdGen](https://crowdgen.com/crowdgen-by-appen/); [DataAnnotation FAQ](https://www.dataannotation.tech/faqs); [Handshake AI payments](https://ai-support.joinhandshake.com/articles/32263614087575), [Stripe setup](https://ai-support.joinhandshake.com/articles/36935929970711); [Mercor payments](https://talent.docs.mercor.com/how-to/payments); [micro1 FAQ](https://library.micro1.ai/working/faqs), [micro1 payroll policy](https://library.micro1.ai/working/payroll-policy); [Mindrift FAQ](https://mindrift.ai/faq); [Outlier FAQ](https://outlier.ai/faq); [Prolific](https://www.prolific.com/participants); [Turing](https://help.turing.com/articles/9691407757-project-onboarding).


## Outlier and DataAnnotation payment

Outlier: "Outlier AI payments are processed weekly on Tuesdays for work completed the previous Tuesday through Monday (midnight UTC)." and "We offer payment via PayPal, Airtm, or ACH bank transfer." It also says "You'll always see the tasking rate before starting any project." ([Outlier FAQ](https://outlier.ai/faq)). It publishes no minimum payout or fee.

DataAnnotation: "We send payments via PayPal. Deposits will be delivered within a few days after you request them." It warns that "It is very important that you provide the correct email address associated with your PayPal account." ([DataAnnotation FAQ](https://www.dataannotation.tech/faqs)). Its FAQ states no minimum payout, so any DataAnnotation minimum payout figure you see elsewhere does not come from DataAnnotation's FAQ.


## Mercor payment schedule, providers and fees

"Mercor pays hourly contractors every Wednesday around 12:00 PM PST", and "Each payout covers the previous work week ( Saturday 12:00 AM → Friday 11:59 PM IST )". "All Mercor contracts are denominated in USD", and "Your payment provider (Stripe or Wise) converts USD to your local currency at the time of payout." ([Mercor payments](https://talent.docs.mercor.com/how-to/payments)).

You do not pick the provider: "Mercor automatically assigns your payment provider based on your region - you do not choose it." On Stripe, "Stripe requires a 7-day holding period on your first payout", then you can choose "Standard Payout Free" or "Instant Payout 1.0% fee". On Wise, "Wise emails you after each release — you must accept the transfer for funds to reach your bank." Payout accounts must be your own: "Accounts owned by relatives, friends, or companies you do not control are not permitted." ([Mercor payments](https://talent.docs.mercor.com/how-to/payments)).


## Handshake AI and micro1 payment

Handshake AI: "Handshake typically sends payouts to our partner pay platforms by Wednesday afternoon", covering "the period from Monday at 12:00 am PST - Sunday at 11:59 pm PST of the previous week", and "It can often take 48 hours for the payment to process and appear for withdrawal to your preferred method." If nothing arrives, "please wait until Friday at noon PST to reach out" ([Handshake AI](https://ai-support.joinhandshake.com/articles/32263614087575)). It pays through Stripe, and non-US residents fill in a W-8BEN ([Handshake AI](https://ai-support.joinhandshake.com/articles/36935929970711)).

micro1: "Payments are processed in USD on a bi-monthly basis (twice per month)", under a contract "via Deel, our payroll platform" ([micro1 FAQ](https://library.micro1.ai/working/faqs)). Its payroll policy says "Work completed from the 1st to the 15th → paid around the 20th" and "Work completed from the 16th to the end of the month → paid around the 5th of the following month", and for US contractors "payments can take +1 business day due to payment method constraints" ([micro1](https://library.micro1.ai/working/payroll-policy)).


## Payment methods by country

Only some programs publish which method works where. Mercor publishes a country list: "Payouts use Stripe Connect. Countries marked Wise are paid through Wise instead." It adds that "Mercor cannot onboard experts or issue contracts in any of these locations, or in any location that does not appear on this page." ([Mercor supported countries](https://talent.docs.mercor.com/policies/supported-countries)). Nigeria, for example, is on the Stripe list.

Alignerr asks you to "configure your payment details with either Stripe Connect or PayPal depending on your location" ([Alignerr](https://www.alignerr.com/process)). CrowdGen says "Depending on your location, you can withdraw your earnings through platforms like PayPal, Payoneer, Airtm, Swift, and more" and "In most areas, you can also receive payments directly to your local bank account." ([CrowdGen](https://crowdgen.com/crowdgen-by-appen/)). Turing requires a bank account "in the same country as your Service Agreement and in local currency" ([Turing](https://help.turing.com/articles/9691407757-project-onboarding)). Handshake AI pays US fellows; abroad, "Participation is currently invite-only" ([Handshake AI](https://ai-support.joinhandshake.com/articles/32245223383703)).


## Payment proof: how to check what you were paid

Screenshots of other people's payouts prove little. The better proof is the record each program gives you. Handshake AI says "You can track the status of payment in our Pay Processing Tracker" ([Handshake AI](https://ai-support.joinhandshake.com/articles/32263614087575)). Mercor's "Earnings page provides experts with a centralized view of all their payments" ([Mercor](https://talent.docs.mercor.com/policies/earnings)). micro1's FAQ answers "How can I get confirmation of work or payments for housing or other purposes?" by pointing to Deel ([micro1](https://library.micro1.ai/more/faqs)).

Keep your own records too: invoices, payout emails and the provider's statements. You will need them for tax; see [AI training jobs taxes](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/ai-training-jobs-taxes). If a site asks you to pay to unlock payouts, stop; see [are AI training jobs legit](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/are-ai-training-jobs-legit).

Payment rules are one reason to compare programs before joining. [Tell us which payout methods work in your country](https://origindatapartners.com/experts#inquiry) and we'll email you the programs open to you.

[Tell us what you do](https://origindatapartners.com/experts#inquiry). We'll send you the paid AI work that fits your field, wherever you live. It's free.

Origin Data Partners is independent of the programs on this page. A program may pay Origin when Origin introduces someone who joins it, which never changes what you are paid ([how Origin is paid](https://origindatapartners.com/referral-disclosure)).


## Questions and answers

### Which AI training programs pay weekly?

Outlier (Tuesdays), Mercor (Wednesdays around noon PST) and Handshake AI (by Wednesday afternoon) published weekly schedules on 14 November 2026. micro1 and Mindrift pay twice a month, Turing monthly, and DataAnnotation when you request it.

### What payment methods does Outlier use?

PayPal, Airtm or ACH bank transfer, paid weekly on Tuesdays for the previous Tuesday-to-Monday week (UTC), according to its FAQ read 14 November 2026. It does not publish a minimum payout.

### Does Mercor charge a fee to get paid?

Mercor says Standard payouts are free and Instant payouts cost 1.0%. Stripe holds your first payout for 7 days. If Mercor assigns you Wise, you must accept each transfer by email.

### What is the DataAnnotation minimum payout?

DataAnnotation's FAQ, read 14 November 2026, does not state one. It pays through PayPal and says deposits arrive within a few days after you request them.

### Can I get paid to someone else's bank account?

Not at Mercor or Turing. Mercor does not allow accounts owned by relatives, friends or companies you do not control, and Turing requires an account in your own legal name, in the country of your agreement.

### Do AI training programs pay in local currency?

Mercor contracts are in US dollars and Stripe or Wise converts at payout. micro1 pays in US dollars through Deel. Turing pays into a US dollar wallet, then to a bank account in local currency.

## Sources

- [Outlier: FAQs](https://outlier.ai/faq)
- [DataAnnotation: FAQs](https://www.dataannotation.tech/faqs)
- [Mercor talent docs: payments](https://talent.docs.mercor.com/how-to/payments)
- [Mercor talent docs: supported countries for payment](https://talent.docs.mercor.com/policies/supported-countries)
- [Mercor talent docs: earnings page](https://talent.docs.mercor.com/policies/earnings)
- [Handshake AI Help Center: payments processing](https://ai-support.joinhandshake.com/articles/32263614087575)
- [Handshake AI Help Center: how to set up Stripe](https://ai-support.joinhandshake.com/articles/36935929970711)
- [Handshake AI Help Center: work authorization](https://ai-support.joinhandshake.com/articles/32245223383703)
- [micro1 experts library: FAQs](https://library.micro1.ai/working/faqs)
- [micro1 experts library: payroll policy](https://library.micro1.ai/working/payroll-policy)
- [micro1 experts library: more FAQs](https://library.micro1.ai/more/faqs)
- [Alignerr: process](https://www.alignerr.com/process)
- [CrowdGen by Appen: how it works](https://crowdgen.com/crowdgen-by-appen/)
- [Mindrift: FAQ](https://mindrift.ai/faq)
- [Prolific: participants](https://www.prolific.com/participants)
- [Turing Knowledge Base: project onboarding](https://help.turing.com/articles/9691407757-project-onboarding)

## Related reading

- [/experts](https://origindatapartners.com/experts)
- [AI Trainer Salary and Pay Rates Compared (2026)](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/ai-training-pay-rates)
- [Taxes on AI Training Income (US): 1099s and Quarterly Tax](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/ai-training-jobs-taxes)
- [Are AI Training Jobs Legit? How to Spot the Scams](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/are-ai-training-jobs-legit)
- [Is Outlier AI Legit? Pay, Reviews and What to Check (2026)](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/is-outlier-ai-legit)
- [Mercor Jobs: Roles, Pay by Field, Reviews and How to Apply](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/mercor-jobs)
- [Handshake AI Jobs: Roles, Pay by Field and Reviews](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/handshake-ai-jobs)
- [micro1 Jobs: Roles, Pay Ranges, Reviews and the AI Interview](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/micro1-jobs)
- [No Tasks Available in AI Training? What Programs Say](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/ai-training-no-tasks-available)
- [AI Training Jobs by Country: Who Accepts Where (2026)](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/ai-training-jobs-by-country)
- [AI Training Jobs in Pakistan: Who Accepts Pakistan (2026)](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/ai-training-jobs-pakistan)
- [AI Training Jobs in Ghana: Who Accepts Ghana (2026)](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/ai-training-jobs-ghana)
- [AI Training Jobs in Egypt: Arabic Roles, Pay and Tax](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/ai-training-jobs-egypt)
- [AI Training Jobs in Bangladesh: Bengali Roles and Pay](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/ai-training-jobs-bangladesh)
- [AI Training Jobs in Brazil: Portuguese Roles and Pay](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/ai-training-jobs-brazil)
- [AI Training Jobs in Mexico: Spanish Roles, Pay and SAT](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/ai-training-jobs-mexico)
- [AI Training Jobs in Indonesia: Bahasa Roles and Pay](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/ai-training-jobs-indonesia)