Data Analysts & Spreadsheet Specialists (Must own MacBook)
Listing checked October 19, 2026 · pay as published by Mercor
Overview
Mercor needs data analysts and spreadsheet specialists to support a research project run with a leading AI lab. Day to day, you work through genuine analysis and spreadsheet tasks on your own Mac, narrating your reasoning as you go, and that output becomes training data for advanced AI models. The commitment runs about 10 to 20 hours per week, and the structure stays clear from the start, without the pressure that comes with an internship or a consulting role. An immediate start is preferred.
What You'll Do6
- 1Complete real data analysis and spreadsheet work on your own Mac, from raw data through to finished output
- 2Talk through your reasoning out loud while you work so each step is captured in the recording
- 3Build and maintain pivot tables, lookups, and charts inside Excel, Numbers, or Google Sheets
- 4Clean messy datasets and shape them into models the research team can use
- 5Document each decision and method in clear written form for the training dataset
- 6Take on assigned tasks from the research lead and turn them around on a predictable schedule
Requirements6
- 1You must own a MacBook or other Mac with an Apple M-series or Intel chip and run macOS 15 or higher. Applicants without a Mac cannot be considered
- 2Advanced hands-on skill with Excel, Numbers, or Google Sheets, covering pivot tables, lookups, charts, data cleaning, and financial or operational models
- 3Either 2 to 3 years of relevant analysis experience with a Bachelors from a prestigious institution, or current enrollment in a quantitative Masters program
- 4Comfort explaining your reasoning in the moment while you work
- 5Strong written and verbal communication
- 6SQL, Python, R, Tableau, or Power BI experience adds weight to an application but is not required
Who Should Apply
Candidates who already own a Mac and live inside spreadsheets should apply. That covers analysts with 2 to 3 years of hands-on modeling work and postgrad students in a quantitative field who can explain their thinking while they build. SQL or Python users stand out.
Salary Insight
The role pays $50 to $60 per hour, with the exact point in that band set by your experience and assessment results. At 10 to 20 hours per week, that works out to roughly $500 to $1,200 weekly before tax, which sits well above typical rates for part-time spreadsheet and analysis work.
Pay and demand for Data Engineering roles
AggregatedTypical pay
$80/hour
This role
$50–$60/hr
Most Data Engineering roles pay $55–$105 per hour. This role's pay falls inside that range.
Based on 535 similar roles that publish pay · 101 publish only a top rate; those count at the rate they gave
Rates shown per hour. Yearly and monthly pay converted; one-time fees and non-USD pay are not included.
- Live similar roles
- 642
- Listed in last 30 days
- 288
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- 96%
Hiring most right now: micro1 (250) · Mercor (78) · AfterQuery (73)
Most requested skills · share of roles
- python20%
- technical writing10%
- ai evaluation8%
- llm evaluation7%
Figures from Data Engineering roles live on NearSkill when this page loaded. A role can close before you apply, so check the listing itself.
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Compensation
$50–60/hr
Required Skills
Application Tip
State your Mac model and macOS version near the top of your resume, since the team screens it out first, then name the specific spreadsheet functions you use (XLOOKUP, pivot tables, INDEX/MATCH) and attach one sample model or cleaned dataset to show depth.
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