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Freelance Data Labeling Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

... like data labeling or finding business insights, Labelbox enables teams to do so effectively and ... Important Information: - This is a freelance position compensated on an hourly basis. Please note ...

... like data labeling or finding business insights, Labelbox enables teams to do so effectively and ... Important Information This is a freelance position compensated on an hourly basis. Please note that ...

Speakers/Writers

Irvine, CA · On-site

$15 - $60/hr

... like data labeling or finding business insights, Labelbox enables teams to do so effectively and ... freelance position compensated on an hourly basis. Please note that this is not an internship ...

... like data labeling or finding business insights, Labelbox enables teams to do so effectively and ... This is a freelance position compensated on an hourly basis. Please note that this is not an ...

Freelance Data Labeling information

What is the difference between Freelance Data Labeling vs Data Annotation Specialist?

AspectFreelance Data LabelingData Annotation Specialist
CredentialsNo formal credentials required; experience and skills matterOften requires knowledge of annotation tools and sometimes certifications
Work EnvironmentRemote, flexible, project-basedTypically employed by companies, may work remotely or on-site
Employer & Industry UsageFreelance platforms, AI and machine learning projectsTech companies, research institutions, AI firms

Freelance Data Labeling involves independently completing labeling tasks for various clients, offering flexibility and diverse projects. Data Annotation Specialists are often employed by organizations to perform detailed annotation work, sometimes requiring specific certifications. Both roles support AI development but differ mainly in employment structure and credentials.

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

To thrive as a Freelance Data Labeler, you need strong attention to detail, basic data analysis skills, and familiarity with data labeling concepts, often supported by a high school diploma or equivalent. Experience with annotation platforms, image or text labeling tools, and sometimes knowledge of basic coding or spreadsheet software is beneficial. Reliability, time management, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for meeting deadlines and collaborating with remote teams or clients. These skills ensure the accurate and efficient preparation of high-quality labeled data, which is essential for training reliable machine learning models.

What is freelance data labeling?

Freelance data labeling involves annotating or tagging data, such as images, text, or audio, to prepare it for use in machine learning and artificial intelligence projects. As a freelancer, you may work with companies or platforms that need large amounts of accurately labeled data to train their algorithms. Tasks can include identifying objects in photos, transcribing audio, or categorizing text. This work is typically remote and flexible, making it suitable for individuals seeking part-time or project-based opportunities.

What are some common challenges faced by freelance data labelers, and how can they be managed?

Freelance data labelers often encounter challenges such as repetitive tasks, tight deadlines, and varying quality standards between clients. Managing these challenges involves maintaining clear communication with clients about expectations, using productivity tools to track progress, and regularly reviewing guidelines to ensure accuracy. Additionally, taking short breaks and organizing tasks can help prevent fatigue and maintain high-quality output. Building a network with other labelers can also provide support and tips for handling complex projects.
What are the most commonly searched types of Data Labeling jobs in California? The most popular types of Data Labeling jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Freelance Data Labeling jobs in California? For Freelance Data Labeling jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Freelance Data Labeling jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Freelance Data Labeling jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Freelance Data Labeling jobs? Cities in California with the most Freelance Data Labeling job openings:
Infographic showing various Freelance Data Labeling job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution.
Staff Software Engineer, AI Data Platform

Staff Software Engineer, AI Data Platform

Labelbox

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$250K - $280K/yr

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago


Job description

Shape the Future of AI
At Labelbox, we're building the critical infrastructure that powers breakthrough AI models at leading research labs and enterprises. Since 2018, we've been pioneering data-centric approaches that are fundamental to AI development, and our work becomes even more essential as AI capabilities expand exponentially.
About Labelbox
We're the only company offering three integrated solutions for frontier AI development:
  1. Enterprise Platform & Tools: Advanced annotation tools, workflow automation, and quality control systems that enable teams to produce high-quality training data at scale
  2. Frontier Data Labeling Service: Specialized data labeling through Alignerr, leveraging subject matter experts for next-generation AI models
  3. Expert Marketplace: Connecting AI teams with highly skilled annotators and domain experts for flexible scaling
Why Join Us
  • High-Impact Environment: We operate like an early-stage startup, focusing on impact over process. You'll take on expanded responsibilities quickly, with career growth directly tied to your contributions.
  • Technical Excellence: Work at the cutting edge of AI development, collaborating with industry leaders and shaping the future of artificial intelligence.
  • Innovation at Speed: We celebrate those who take ownership, move fast, and deliver impact. Our environment rewards high agency and rapid execution.
  • Continuous Growth: Every role requires continuous learning and evolution. You'll be surrounded by curious minds solving complex problems at the frontier of AI.
  • Clear Ownership: You'll know exactly what you're responsible for and have the autonomy to execute. We empower people to drive results through clear ownership and metrics.

Role Overview
Labelbox is the RL data factory for advancing frontier agent capabilities. We build the data, evaluations, and infrastructure that frontier labs use to train and judge their agents. We're looking for talented, experienced engineers to join us. The bar is high: engineers who have strong judgment and set technical direction, quickly build prototypes that scale into the reliable systems, and are at the frontier of agent-first engineering practices and innovating to accelerate the speed of the business.
What you may work on
  • Eval systems that run millions of agent trajectories to measure model and product quality.
  • Fine-tuning pipelines that turn evaluation signals into measurable agent improvements.
  • Agent-first product surfaces: UX and infrastructure for workflows where the user is a model or an agent operator.
  • The systems behind hundreds of thousands of AI interviews used to source and match freelance workers to projects.
  • Infrastructure that scales to the throughput frontier labs actually need.
  • Integration of the latest models and capabilities into production within days of release.
What we're looking for
  • 4+ year track record of shipping systems customers and other engineers rely on
  • You build full stack prototypes fast and they hold up. The v1 you ship becomes the foundation the rest of the team builds on.
  • Strong system and API design judgement
  • Hard architecture and product calls land with you. You make them, defend them under pressure, and update fast when someone else is right.
  • You ship production code with coding agents daily. You know where they break and what it takes to make them reliable to further accelerate the team's velocity.
  • You set direction by being the example. Other engineers reach for your designs and your code as the reference.
  • You move fast in ambiguous, startup-pace environments with influence over authority.
  • You have worked in all parts of the stack
  • Deep proficiency in TypeScript and/or Python.
Nice to have
  • Production experience building LLM- or agent-driven products.
  • Designing evaluations for LLMs and agents, or producing high-quality data for ML systems.
  • Background in production distributed systems, ML infrastructure, or data systems at scale.
Our Technology Stack
Our engineering team works with a modern tech stack designed for scalability, performance, and developer efficiency:
  • Frontend: React.js with Redux, TypeScript
  • Backend: Node.js, TypeScript, Python, some Java & Kotlin
  • APIs: GraphQL
  • Cloud & Infrastructure: Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Kubernetes
  • Databases: MySQL, Spanner, PostgreSQL
  • Queueing / Streaming: Kafka, PubSub

Labelbox strives to ensure pay parity across the organization and discuss compensation transparently. The expected annual base salary range for United States-based candidates is below. This range is not inclusive of any potential equity packages or additional benefits. Exact compensation varies based on a variety of factors, including skills and competencies, experience, and geographical location.
Annual base salary range
$250,000-$280,000 USD
Life at Labelbox
  • Location: Join our dedicated tech hub in San Francisco
  • Work Style: Hybrid model with 3 days per week in office, combining collaboration and flexibility
  • Environment: Fast-paced and high-intensity, perfect for ambitious individuals who thrive on ownership and quick decision-making
  • Growth: Career advancement opportunities directly tied to your impact
  • Vision: Be part of building the foundation for humanity's most transformative technology
Our Vision
We believe data will remain crucial in achieving artificial general intelligence. As AI models become more sophisticated, the need for high-quality, specialized training data will only grow. Join us in developing new products and services that enable the next generation of AI breakthroughs.
Labelbox is backed by leading investors including SoftBank, Andreessen Horowitz, B Capital, Gradient Ventures, Databricks Ventures, and Kleiner Perkins. Our customers include Fortune 500 enterprises and leading AI labs.
Your Personal Data Privacy: Any personal information you provide Labelbox as a part of your application will be processed in accordance with Labelbox's Job Applicant Privacy notice.
Any emails from Labelbox team members will originate from a @labelbox.com email address. If you encounter anything that raises suspicions during your interactions, we encourage you to exercise caution and suspend or discontinue communications.