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Annotator Salary in the United States

How much does an Annotator make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Annotator in the United States is $56,244 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.

However, an Annotator's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $68,416
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $53,539 to $62,615
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $51,076
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Annotator Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Annotator Salaries

An Annotator'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Annotator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Annotator'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): $54,213
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $54,298
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $54,916
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $56,863
  • Expert (over 8 years): $57,129
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Annotator less than 1 year $54,213
Early Career Level Annotator 1-2 years $54,298
Mid-Level Level Annotator 2-4 years $54,916
Senior-Level Level Annotator 5-8 years $56,863
Expert Level Annotator over 8 years $57,129

How Do Annotator Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Annotators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $62,273.
  • California: $62,037.
  • Massachusetts: $61,210.

Top Paying Cities for Annotator

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: $70,940
  • San Francisco: $70,163
  • Oakland: $68,685

Annotator Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Annotator roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Hospitality & Leisure, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Annotator positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Annotator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Annotator

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Hospitality & Leisure $61,868 $30.0 10%

How Education impacts an Annotator's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Annotator professionals enter the field with a high school degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Annotator with a high school is between $49,862 and $53,574.

Annotator Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Annotator
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 46.7%
High School 46.7%
Associate's Degree 33.3%
Bachelor's Degree 6.7%
Master's Degree or MBA 13.3%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 0%
View as Graph

Annotator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Annotator'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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$53,539
Average $56,244/year
$62,615
$4,462
Average $4,687/month
$5,218
$1,030
Average $1,082/week
$1,204
$26
Average $27/hour
$30
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $62,615 $5,218 $1,204 $30
Average $56,244 $4,687 $1,082 $27
25th Percentile $53,539 $4,462 $1,030 $26

Most common benefits for Annotator

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Annotator

Here are companies hiring for Annotator and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Annotator Job

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

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Critical Infrastructure Technician

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    2 Days Ago

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Field Service Technician

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    2 Days Ago

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Mechanical Field Engineer

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    2 Days Ago

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Field Service Engineer

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    2 Days Ago

  • CyLogic | Ashburn, VA

    SVP Revenue Growth

    CyLogic | Ashburn, VA

    A Leadership Opportunity to Shape the Next Phase of Growth. CyLogic is seeking an experienced revenue leader to oversee Sales and Marketing, strengthen go-... more

    3 Days Ago

  • ProspectBlue | Ashburn, VA

    Staff Accountant

    ProspectBlue | Ashburn, VA

    ProspectBlue is partnering with a well-established and growing organization in Ashburn, VA to identify a Staff Accountant to join its corporate accounting ... more

    3 Days Ago

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FAQ about Annotator

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Annotator?

The Hospitality & Leisure industry offers the highest average compensation for Annotator roles, with salaries approximately 10% 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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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