Can You Earn on MTurk?

Are you curious if you can make money with MTurk as a remote side hustle? Amazon Mechanical Turk, or MTurk, is an accessible and flexible platform for individuals looking to earn extra income online. Explore the possibilities and understand your potential earnings through our detailed Amazon MTurk review.

For those who have embraced the work-from-home lifestyle or are just dipping their toes into the world of remote work, there may be occasions when an additional source of income becomes necessary.

Amazon Mechanical Turk, commonly labeled as MTurk, is a digital service introduced by Amazon in 2005. It facilitates the completion of small tasks, known as HITs (Human Intelligence Tasks), which require human intelligence.

These tasks typically do not necessitate specialized skills, yet they are tasks that outperform computers. On the MTurk platform, you’ll find opportunities ranging from data entry, survey completion, transcription work, to image tagging.

MTurk offers an avenue for individuals to earn additional money by performing straightforward tasks from the comfort of their homes. While engaging in these micro-jobs probably won’t bring you wealth overnight, it’s a viable way to boost your income to cover expenses or save for special occasions, all on your own schedule.

Let’s delve into what makes MTurk a compelling option for those looking for online income opportunities.

Exploring MTurk: Advantages and Challenges

For those with extra time, MTurk might just be the platform to explore alternative earnings.

Understanding Amazon Mechanical Turk

Established in 2005, Amazon’s MTurk connects human workers with tasks that computers struggle to perform. This crowd-sourcing platform harnesses the unique capabilities of human intelligence. The origin of the name “Mechanical Turk” is quite interesting, referring to an 18th-century chess-playing automaton that astounded its era by defeating human players, blending human stratagem into mechanical ingenuity.

Navigating the MTurk Universe

Participants, known as Workers, can set up profiles, navigate diverse tasks, and choose assignments posted by Requesters needing assistance.

Weighing the Pros and Cons

Considering MTurk for income? Reflect on these points:

Advantages:

• Flexible scheduling – Create your own timetable and work when it suits you.
• Diverse task options – A wide variety of tasks ensures that monotony stays at bay.

Drawbacks:

• Low earnings potential – Some tasks offer wages below the minimum standard, though income may improve with experience.
• Variable income – Task availability and quality vary significantly, impacting consistent earning potential.
• High competition – Intense demand for tasks means fewer opportunities for newcomers or those without experience.
• Task approval process – HITs require approval from Requesters, potentially delaying earnings for up to 30 days.

Getting Started with MTurk

Familiarize yourself with the nuances of online earning platforms. Here’s how to embark on your MTurk journey.

Setting Up Your Account

Kickstart your MTurk journey by setting up a Worker account. Existing Amazon account holders can utilize their credentials for MTurk sign-up. Follow the straightforward instructions, providing necessary details like personal information, location, and social security. An Amazon Payments account will be established to facilitate earnings transfers.

Acceptance of the Amazon Mechanical Turk Participation Agreement is required. Await confirmation of program entry, typically delivered within three business days.

Delving into HITs

Once your profile is approved, you’ll have access to a variety of HITs. These tasks can range from simple to more complex requirements, each one listed by different Requesters.

Meeting Task Qualifications

Qualify for certain tasks by meeting specific Requester-mandated criteria. These qualifications often reflect skills, experience, or demographic affinities pertinent to the assignment.

Earning Potential with MTurk

Is earning with MTurk a reality? For those eyeing a straightforward side hustle, MTurk offers tasks that suit various time and skill constraints.

Available Task Categories

Tasks on MTurk span from straightforward data entry, survey completion, and image tagging to more intricate challenges such as transcription and content moderation. Choose those that align best with your skills and schedule.

Understanding Pay Scales

Earnings on MTurk vary widely, with some tasks paying minimal cents, while others offer a couple of dollars. Initially, beginners might find tasks that don’t reach minimum wage, but accumulating experience can help unlock higher-paying opportunities. Experienced MTurk user Michael Naab consistently earns about $200 weekly and shares insights in the ebook Side Hustle From Home: How to Make Money Online with Amazon Mechanical Turk.

The MTurk online marketplace presents a practical option for easy supplemental income, though likely insufficient for exclusive full-time income replacement.

Maximize Your Earnings

Consider these strategies to enhance your MTurk experience:

• Selective Task Choice – Concentrate on well-paying tasks that match your skills for efficiency and better earnings.
• Utilize Tools and Extensions – Browser extensions like Turkopticon can refine your MTurk experience by optimizing task selection and automating certain actions.
• Engage with Online Communities – Participate in forums where MTurk users share strategies for enhancing earnings.
• Develop Skills – As you tackle more HITs, you can build a repertoire of abilities to access higher-paying tasks.

The Vibrant MTurk Community

Elevate your MTurk experience by joining communities and forums where insights and support abound.

Valuable Forums and Support

Access a wealth of knowledge from various MTurk-focused online communities. Consider joining r/mturk on Reddit, which features discussions on productivity tips, task availability, and solutions for occasional challenges like task rejections.

Using External Tools and Scripts

An advantageous tool for MTurk users is MTurk Suite. It offers features like HIT Finder, HIT Tracker, and HIT Catcher to aid task tracking, earnings monitoring, and quick uptake of high-paying HITs as they emerge.

User-created scripts can enhance your MTurk journey by simplifying task management, such as filtering out low-paying tasks or setting alerts for new opportunities from preferred Requesters.

Payments and Rewards on MTurk

Payout Options

U.S. Workers can opt to transfer their earnings to a bank account or receive an Amazon Gift Card, while Indian Workers can transfer to local bank accounts. These methods may differ depending on geographical location.

Incentives and Bonuses

On occasion, Requesters offer bonuses for outstanding task performance or for achieving milestone task completions in a defined timeframe. These extra rewards offer an additional financial boost.

Earnings Reception

After completing tasks, a waiting period for payment approval is common, varying in duration. Once approved, funds are credited to your MTurk balance and can be withdrawn through your selected payout method.

Note: New Workers experience a 10-day probationary period where tasks must be completed before withdrawing earnings.

Is MTurk Legitimate?

MTurk is a genuine opportunity by Amazon, yet certain tasks pay nominally, prompting mixed reviews from users.

Feedback from a diverse group of reviewers unveils differing perspectives.

Reddit presents a mixture of review sentiments. Some Reddit users report earning $100–$300 per week through MTurk.

Given the transient nature and low pay of many MTurk gigs, consider joining a mix of short-task or on-demand companies for diversified earning avenues.

Summarizing the MTurk Experience

Amazon MTurk may not promise top-tier compensation, but it provides a reasonable method to earn extra money during your free hours. With various payout options, potential for bonuses, and accessible tasks, it serves those seeking to capitalize on their skills and spare time.

Originally published January 22, 2024. Content updated January 2025.

Curious for more work-from-home insights? Click here for more work from home tips and strategies.