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Data Annotation Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Sunday Inc

Data Annotation Lead

Redwood City, CA · On-site

What to Expect We're looking for a Data Annotations Lead to join our Data team and own the people side of data annotation. This role is about building and leading a world class in-house data ...

Sunday

Data Annotation Lead

Redwood City, CA · On-site

Responsibilities : • Build a data annotation team • Manage the people side of data annotations • Create documentation • Be in the weeds and annotate data yourself anytime something new is ...

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Data Annotation information

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$52

How much do data annotation jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for data annotation in California is $24.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.71 and $29.42 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a typical workday look like for someone in a Data Annotation role?

A typical workday as a Data Annotator involves reviewing datasets—such as images, audio, text, or video—and accurately labeling or categorizing information according to specific project guidelines. Most Data Annotators work independently, but they often collaborate with project managers or data scientists to clarify requirements and resolve ambiguities. Tasks may be repetitive, but adhering to precise standards is vital for maintaining data quality. Work environments can range from technology companies to remote or freelance settings, and advancement opportunities exist as team leads or quality assurance specialists for those who excel in consistency and reliability.

Is data annotation a genuine job?

Data annotation is a legitimate job that involves labeling data such as images, text, or audio to help train machine learning models. It often requires attention to detail and familiarity with annotation tools, and can be found in various industries like technology and healthcare.

Does data annotation pay well?

Data annotation jobs typically offer entry-level pay that varies depending on the employer, location, and complexity of the tasks. While some positions pay hourly wages comparable to other administrative or clerical roles, experienced annotators working on specialized projects or with advanced tools can earn higher rates. Overall, data annotation is often considered an entry-level position with moderate pay potential.

What is a Data Annotation job?

A Data Annotation job involves labeling and categorizing data, such as text, images, audio, or video, to help train machine learning models. Annotators apply tags, bounding boxes, or classifications to data based on specific guidelines. This process improves the accuracy of AI systems in recognizing patterns and making predictions. Many data annotation jobs require attention to detail and familiarity with specific domains. It is commonly used in applications like autonomous driving, natural language processing, and computer vision.

How hard is it to get hired by data annotation?

Getting hired for a data annotation role generally requires basic computer skills, attention to detail, and sometimes familiarity with specific tools or platforms. Many positions are entry-level and do not require advanced education, making the hiring process relatively accessible, though competition can vary based on the employer and location.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Data Annotation position, and why are they important?

To thrive in Data Annotation, you need strong attention to detail, accuracy, and basic data handling skills, often supported by a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with annotation platforms, data labeling software, or content management systems is frequently required, though specific certifications are rare. Excellent communication, time management, and the ability to focus on repetitive tasks distinguish top performers in this role. These skills are crucial because accurate and consistent data annotation directly impacts the quality of machine learning models and AI applications.

What does a data annotator do?

A data annotator labels and tags data such as images, text, or videos to help machine learning models understand and learn from the data. They use tools and follow guidelines to ensure accuracy and consistency, often working with large datasets in a structured environment. Attention to detail and knowledge of annotation tools are important for this role.
What are the most commonly searched types of Data Annotation jobs in California? The most popular types of Data Annotation jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Data Annotation jobs in California? For Data Annotation jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
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What cities in California are hiring for Data Annotation jobs? Cities in California with the most Data Annotation job openings:
Data Annotation jobs near you
Infographic showing various Data Annotation job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Locum Tenens, 34% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 2% Contract, 35% Nights, and 1% Summer. Highlights an 56% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 43% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,398 per year, or $24.7 per hour.
Data Annotation Lead

Data Annotation Lead

Sunday Inc

Redwood City, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 15 days ago

Job description

Join Us in Building the Future of Home Robotics
At Sunday, we're developing personal robots to reclaim the hours lost to repetitive tasks. We're focused on an ambitious goal to make generalized robots broadly accessible, enabling households to take back quality time.
We have spent the last 18 months building a talented team, securing capital, and validating our technology. We are now seeking passionate individuals to join us in the next phase of our growth. If you are ready to apply your skills to the forefront of robotics innovation, we'd love to hear from you.
What to Expect
We're looking for a Data Annotations Lead to join our Data team and own the people side of data annotation.
This role is about building and leading a world class in-house data annotation team that is able to pivot quickly to any research experiment while delivering on quality, quantity, and variety when it comes to data.
You'll work in coordination with Machine Learning, Software engineering, and Data to define the framework and tools on which to build a data annotation team around. Your role is vital to ensuring our data annotators are aligned with the guidances for annotations and are upholding a culture of happiness.
What You'll Do
  • Build a data annotation team
  • Manage the people side of data annotations
  • Create documentation
  • Be in the weeds and annotate data yourself anytime something new is being designed
  • Create data annotation processes
  • Vibe code data annotation tools during pilot stages

What You'll Bring
  • Clear written and verbal communication to guide our data annotators
  • Your ability to manage unexpected challenges
  • Your ownership of key stakeholders with data annotators, engineering, and support
  • Excitement for the growth and development of data annotation
  • Someone adept at prioritization of competing requests, who's able to move both quickly, and in an organized manner
  • A level of hardcore-ness while still treating people like people
  • Intermediate level understanding of ML

Nice to Have
  • Previous experience leading data annotation teams
  • Technical skills to build tools for data annotation
  • Ability to leverage AI to help improve productivity

At Sunday Robotics, we're building technology shaped by real people - curious, creative, and diverse. We're proud to be an equal opportunity employer and consider all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
Even if you don't meet every single requirement, we encourage you to apply. Studies show that women and underrepresented groups often hold back unless they meet 100% of the criteria - we don't want that to be the reason we miss out on great talent.

Apply