Data Annotation Specialist Salary in the United States

How much does a Data Annotation Specialist make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Data Annotation Specialist in the United States is $47,893 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $23.

However, a Data Annotation Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $60,446
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $43,968 to $54,464
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $40,394
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View as table View as graph 25% $43,968 10% $40,394 90% $60,446 75% $54,464 $47,893 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Data Annotation Specialist Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $54,464 $4,539 $1,047 $26
Average $47,893 $3,991 $921 $23
25th Percentile $43,968 $3,664 $846 $21
Check out Data Annotation Specialist Job Openings in the United States
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Visa Boards - Columbus, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Data Annotation Specialist Salaries

A Data Annotation Specialist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Data Annotation Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Data Annotation Specialist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $44,398
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $48,166
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $53,944
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $62,189
  • Expert (over 8 years): $84,106
Levels Salary
Transacti... Level Data Annotation Specialist$44,398
Data Anno... Level Data Annotation Specialist$48,166
Transacti... Level Data Annotation Specialist$53,944
Transacti... Level Data Annotation Specialist$62,189
Transacti... Level Data Annotation Specialist$84,106
$44,398 0 yr
$48,166 < 2 yrs
$53,944 2-4 yrs
$62,189 5-8 yrs
$84,106 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Data Annotation Specialists

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $60,408
  • San Francisco: $59,746
  • Oakland: $58,487

What Skills Can Increase a Data Annotation Specialist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Process Improvement (Mentioned in 6.18% Job Postings): Analyzing and improving existing processes and workflows to minimize process errors and streamline organizational efficiency.
  • Billing (Mentioned in 1.76% Job Postings): Billing refers to the aspect of banking, whereby someone is charged accurately for what item they purchased.
  • Collective Bargaining (Mentioned in 1.24% Job Postings): Collective bargaining is a process of negotiation between employers and a group of employees aimed at agreements to regulate working salaries, working conditions, benefits, and other aspects of workers' compensation and rights for workers. The interests of the employees are commonly presented by representatives of a trade union to which the employees belong. The collective agreements reached by these negotiations usually set out wage scales, working hours, training, health and safety, overtime, grievance mechanisms, and rights to participate in workplace or company affairs. The union may negotiate with a single employer (who is typically representing a company's shareholders) or may negotiate with a group of businesses, depending on the country, to reach an industry-wide agreement. A collective agreement functions as a labour contract between an employer and one or more unions. Collective bargaining consists of the process of negotiation between representatives of a union and employers (generally represented by management, or, in some countries such as Austria, Sweden and the Netherlands, by an employers' organization) in respect of the terms and conditions of employment of employees, such as wages, hours of work, working conditions, grievance procedures, and about the rights and responsibilities of trade unions. The parties often refer to the result of the negotiation as a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) or as a collective employment agreement (CEA).
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Process Improvement 6.18%
Billing 1.76%
Collective Bargaining 1.24%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Data Annotation Specialist's salary.
  • Facilitation: Can increase your salary by up to 53%.
  • Business Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 31%.
  • SOP: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Facilitation
$73,276
53%
Business Analysis
$62,740
31%
SOP
$56,514
18%
Product Management
$55,077
15%
Quality Assurance
$55,077
15%
Collaboration
$54,598
14%
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Data Annotation Specialist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Data Annotation Specialist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Construction and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Data Annotation Specialist positions in Retail & Wholesale or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Data Annotation Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Data Annotation Specialist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Construction$57,472$28.020%
Energy & Utilities$55,077$26.015%
Aerospace & Defense$52,682$25.010%
Internet$52,682$25.010%
Software & Networking$52,682$25.010%

Data Annotation Specialist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Data Annotation Specialist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Data Annotation Specialist

Salaries for a Data Annotation Specialist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $57,500 in 2023 to around $56,903 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Data Annotation Specialist salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Data Annotation Specialist Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$57,500
2024
$57,558
2025
$56,903
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $57,500
2024 $57,558
2025 $56,903
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Data Annotation Specialist

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Data Annotation Specialist

Here are companies hiring for Data Annotation Specialist and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Data Annotation Specialist Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Data Annotation Specialist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • eviCore healthcare

    Columbus, OH

    eviCore healthcare | Columbus, OH

    Provides timely expert medical review for requests to evaluate the medical necessity of services that do not meet utilization review criteria while located... more

    6 Days Ago

  • MD Staff, LLC

    Columbus, OH

    MD Staff, LLC | Columbus, OH

    Neurologist Locum Tenens Opportunity Near Columbus, OH. We are excited to offer a rewarding locum tenens opportunity for a Board Certified or Board Eligibl... more

    6 Days Ago

  • C.R. England

    Columbus, OH

    C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. C.R. England is Now Urgently Hiring Local Dedicated CDL-A Truck Drivers. Dedicated Local Fleet - Home Daily - Competitive Pay* - Full Bene... more

    12 Days Ago

  • Maxim Healthcare

    Columbus, OH

    Maxim Healthcare | Columbus, OH

    Private duty nursing (PDN) allows medically fragile patients to receive quality, skilled nursing care in the comfort of their home: a setting preferred by ... more

    14 Days Ago

  • Schneider

    Columbus, OH

    Schneider | Columbus, OH

    CDL-A - Dedicated Reefer truck driver - Kroger. Dedicated Reefer truck driver - Kroger. Average pay. $1,200-$1,450 weekly. Home time. Daily. Experience. Al... more

    15 Days Ago

  • Family Dollar

    Columbus, OH

    Family Dollar | Columbus, OH

    Customer Service Associate. We're seeking a Customer Service Associate to join our team and deliver a great shopping experience for every customer. Duties ... more

    17 Days Ago

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FAQ about Data Annotation Specialist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Data Annotation Specialist?

The Construction industry offers the highest average compensation for Data Annotation Specialist roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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