Quick answer
Handshake AI is a fellowship program that pairs students and experts with AI lab projects. On 14 November 2026, AI Global Work tracked 3 open Handshake AI roles with a median listed rate of $95 an hour. All three are AI red teaming roles, and all are limited to the United States. See the live list on AI Global Work's Handshake AI page, our sister site.
This guide explains what Handshake AI is, what its roles pay, who can apply and how to get ready. The figures come from AI Global Work, our sister site, which checks each platform's public listings daily. We read them on 14 November 2026. They change every day, so treat them as a snapshot and check the live page before you apply.
What is Handshake AI?
Handshake AI is a fellowship program. It pairs students and experts with projects for AI labs and pays by the hour.
Handshake AI at a glance
| Handshake AI | Listed on 14 November 2026 |
|---|---|
| Open roles | 3 |
| Median listed rate | $95 an hour |
| Top listed rate | $158 an hour |
| How it pays | Hourly fellowship pay. |
What kind of roles does Handshake AI have?
It is the smallest list on the tracker. On 14 November 2026 the three roles were AI Red Teamer at $32 to $95 an hour, AI Red Teamer, Cybersecurity at $65 to $125, and AI Red Teamer, CBRNE at $65 to $158. Red teaming means deliberately testing an AI system to find where it fails or can be misused.
Can you apply to Handshake AI from your country?
All 3 roles name the United States only. None are open worldwide.
AI Global Work's Handshake AI page has an "I live in" filter that shows only the roles open to your country.
What happens after you apply to Handshake AI?
AI Global Work does not list a standard application process for Handshake AI, so the steps depend on the role. Read the listing on Handshake AI's own site for what it asks, and expect to show evidence of your expertise before any paid work starts.
How to prepare for Handshake AI
These free LearnWithZavi courses cover the skills this work uses:
- AI Safety and Verification, which teaches the fact-checking habits reviewers are paid for.
- Prompt Engineering, because writing and judging good instructions is most of the work.
- AI Job Search, for a CV and profile that state your expertise clearly.
For the wider picture of this kind of work, including what it pays by field, read our guide to AI training jobs.
What to watch out for
- With 3 roles open, there is little to apply for at any one time.
- Every role is limited to the United States.
- Listed pay is a rate, not guaranteed earnings.
One rule protects you on every platform: money only ever flows towards you. Handshake AI does not charge people to apply, take a test or get training. If someone asks you to pay for a Handshake AI role, it is a scam. Our lesson on spotting annotation job scams covers the tests to apply.
Compare with other platforms
- Scale AI: 17 open roles, median listed rate $300 an hour.
- Terac: 11 open roles, median listed rate $85 an hour.
- xAI: 20 open roles, median listed rate $35 an hour.
AI Global Work also has a side-by-side comparison of all 11 platforms.
We are not affiliated with Handshake AI. Its pay, eligibility and terms are set by Handshake AI and change often, so always check the role page before you apply.