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Data Annotator Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Innodata Inc.

QA / Evaluation Lead

Washington, DC · On-site

$45 - $50/hr

Design and implement confidence-threshold escalation routing from automated annotation to senior-annotator adjudication * Validate quality scoring and IAA computation within the Innodata data layer

New

All JobsData Annotator JobsData Annotator Jobs in Reston, VA

Data Annotator information

See Reston, VA salary details

$47.9K

$171.7K

$253.3K

How much do data annotator jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for data annotator in Reston, VA is $171,677.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $138,900.00 and $176,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Data Annotators?

Data Annotators are professionals who label or tag data such as images, text, audio, or video to prepare it for use in machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) models. Their work is crucial because accurately labeled data helps algorithms learn to recognize patterns and make decisions. Data annotators may use specialized software tools to highlight objects, transcribe speech, or classify documents according to specific guidelines. The quality and accuracy of their annotations directly affect the performance of AI systems.

What is the difference between Data Annotator vs Data Labeler?

AspectData AnnotatorData Labeler
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles may prefer basic technical skillsSimilar; often requires only basic education and attention to detail
Work EnvironmentRemote or office-based; working with datasets and annotation toolsPrimarily remote; focused on labeling data for machine learning
Industry UsageUsed across AI, machine learning, and data science industriesCommonly used in AI and machine learning sectors for training data
Search & Comparison IntentOften compared due to similar tasks and roles in data preparation

Both Data Annotators and Data Labelers perform data preparation tasks for AI models, often with overlapping skills and work environments. The main difference lies in terminology used by employers or platforms, but their roles are largely similar, focusing on labeling data to improve machine learning algorithms.

What is the role of a data annotator?

A data annotator is responsible for labeling and categorizing data such as images, text, or videos to help machine learning models understand and process information. This role often involves using annotation tools and requires attention to detail to ensure data accuracy, which is essential for training effective AI systems.

How much do data annotators get paid?

Data annotators typically earn between $10 and $20 per hour, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of the annotation tasks. Some positions may offer project-based pay or part-time schedules, and familiarity with annotation tools can improve earning potential.

What are the typical challenges Data Annotators face when working with large datasets, and how can they overcome them?

Data Annotators often encounter challenges such as repetitive tasks, maintaining high accuracy, and dealing with ambiguous data points when working with large datasets. To overcome these, it's important to follow clear annotation guidelines, regularly communicate with team leads or project managers about uncertainties, and leverage quality control tools provided by the organization. Collaborating with peers and participating in review sessions can also help ensure consistency and improve the overall quality of the annotations.

What is a data annotation job?

A data annotation job involves labeling or tagging data such as images, text, or videos to help machine learning models understand and process information. Annotators typically use specialized tools and need attention to detail to ensure data accuracy, which is essential for training AI systems effectively.

What does a data annotator do?

A data annotator labels and tags data such as images, text, or audio to help machine learning models understand and learn from the data. They often use specialized tools and need attention to detail to ensure accuracy, supporting AI development and data quality. The role typically requires good organizational skills and may involve working with large datasets on flexible schedules.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Data Annotator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Data Annotator, you need attention to detail, accuracy, and a basic understanding of data structures, often supported by a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with data labeling platforms, annotation tools like Labelbox or Supervisely, and sometimes basic coding skills are typically required. Strong organizational skills, patience, and the ability to follow precise guidelines make someone stand out in this position. These skills and qualities are crucial for producing high-quality datasets that drive effective machine learning and AI model development.
What are popular job titles related to Data Annotator jobs in Reston, VA? For Data Annotator jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Data Annotator jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Data Annotator jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Data Annotator jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Data Annotator job openings:
Data Annotator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Data Annotator job openings in Reston, VA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 20% Internship, 55% As Needed, 23% Nights, and 1% Summer. Highlights an 38% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 61% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $171,677 per year, or $82.5 per hour.
Geospatial AI Data Annotator

Geospatial AI Data Annotator

Enabled Intelligence

Falls Church, VA

Full-time

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

Geospatial AI Data Annotator

About Enabled Intelligence, Inc.

Enabled Intelligence, Inc. provides extremely accurate, precise and secure data labeling and AI solutions to help our government and commercial customers effectively deploy reliable and unbiased artificial intelligence technologies. We leverage the unique talents of veterans, people with different abilities, and subject matter experts to unlock the value of data to improve the delivery of public services and mission critical national security programs. Every Enabled solution starts with a team of highly-trained, US based data analysts that have both subject-matter expertise as well as a deep understanding of the best techniques and tools for AI data annotation, model development, and testing and evaluation.

At EI we respect and celebrate individuals from all walks of life. Our different backgrounds, cultures, experiences, and way of thinking make us stronger together and result in the most accurate and reliable AI solutions for our clients. We are extremely committed to a culture and environment where excellence can be achieved!

Geospatial AI Data Annotator

Data annotation is an essential component in training artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) algorithms. As a member of the Enabled Intelligence annotation team, you will help us collect and annotate unclassified, sensitive, and classified data for AI/ML technologies. We are looking for detail-oriented individuals who will collaborate with our team, label large amounts of data, and provide feedback to our data scientists and engineers to create high-quality labeled data sets. Joining our team means playing an integral role for the future of government AI/ML capabilities.

Responsibilities

  • Use advanced analytic tools to locate, label, tag and categorize various elements in large datasets
  • Interact with data science and data engineering teams to design new features for more efficient labeling techniques
  • Gain an in-depth knowledge of using both commercial and custom annotation software tools
  • Keep project manager informed of platform enhancement ideas, risks, and issues

Required Qualifications and Skills

  • Eligibility to obtain a Top Secret- SCI security clearance
  • US Citizenship Required
  • Ability to follow directions and meet deadlines
  • Ability to communicate reliably
  • Ability to learn and retain new information and apply it to a variety of projects
  • Ability to be a good team player and work with individuals with different communication, learning and working styles.
  • Ability to work independently including managing your schedule, attending all required meetings and completing projects within a deadline
  • Ability to understand and apply guidelines for data annotation
  • Ability to perform repetitive tasks while paying constant close attention to detail and delivery accurate and precise work
  • Ability to keep information confidential
  • Ability to work out of the Enabled Intelligence office located in Falls Church, VA Monday-Friday during normal business hours

Desired Qualifications and Skills

  • Previous experience working in a professional, office environment
  • Previous experience in an IT based position
  • Education background in information technology or technical field
  • Previous experience with data labeling or image annotation including analyzing 2D and 3D images, video, audio files, or unstructured text (EO, IR, SAR, FMV) 
  • Prior experience with business productivity tools like Microsoft Office, and/or Slack
  • Highschool Degree

Physical Requirements

  • Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer

Background Check & Security Clearance

  • Applicants selected will be subject to background investigation. Applicants must be eligible to receive a US security clearance at the secret level or higher which requires US Citizenship.


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