# MTurk closes September 30: three routes to try next

MTurk closes September 30, 2026. Check your payments, then compare research studies, generalist AI work and specialist projects by fit and application effort.

Amazon says MTurk will permanently close on September 30, 2026. If it helped cover gaps in your income, the next question is practical: where can you find work that fits your skills and the time you have?

- [Amazon's closure FAQ](https://www.mturk.com/help)

In the worker transition discussion, people ask about alternatives for writing, translation and the freedom to choose when to work. A replacement has to fit the part of MTurk you relied on.

- [Worker transition discussion on Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/mturk/comments/1vyhd8c/future_of_the_subreddit/)

> Start with what you need back: Short studies, generalist tasks, or specialist work. Check your existing payment arrangements first, then use the comparison below to choose a route.

## First, check the money you have already earned

Confirm the payment method and transfer schedule in your Worker account. Amazon says completed, approved HITs will follow the normal disbursement schedule. Its FAQ also gives these dates:

| Date | What it means |
| --- | --- |
| September 30, 2026 | MTurk closes |
| October 30, 2026 | Last date for requesters to award bonuses |
| January 28, 2027 | Transaction-history access ends |

Save the records you need while you can access them. For pending work or a payment problem, use Amazon's current instructions and support links. A replacement platform cannot resolve an MTurk balance.

- [Amazon's current instructions and support links](https://www.mturk.com/help)

## Three routes, with different tradeoffs

| If the part you want to replace is… | Start your research here | Check this before investing more time |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Participating in research studies | Prolific | Supported residence, verification and whether you must wait for an invitation |
| Writing and judging answers without coding | DataAnnotation | Generalist requirements, the assessment and your eligibility |
| Applying existing professional skills to projects | micro1, Mercor and suitable roles in AIPayList | The exact role's experience, location and time requirements |

- [Prolific participants](https://www.prolific.com/participants)
- [DataAnnotation requirements](https://www.dataannotation.tech/faqs)
- [micro1 expert opportunities](https://www.micro1.ai/experts)
- [Mercor applications](https://talent.docs.mercor.com/how-to/apply)
- [Current AIPayList listings](https://aipaylist.com/)

These options have different admission processes. Check current eligibility and availability before planning income around any of them.

For studies: Prolific's waitlist is not a simple queue ordered by sign-up date. Its help page says invitations depend on participant demand, and waiting can last hours or much longer. Joining a waitlist is therefore an application step, not an income plan for a particular week.

- [Prolific waitlist guidance](https://participant-help.prolific.com/en/articles/445008-what-is-the-sign-up-waitlist)

For generalist AI work: DataAnnotation says its generalist route does not require coding, but it does require strong writing and reasoning plus a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience. Read that distinction before starting. Experience completing microtasks alone does not prove that you meet a different role's requirements.

- [DataAnnotation FAQ](https://www.dataannotation.tech/faqs)

> Alex's recommendation: I have worked on both micro1 and Mercor recently. Of the two, I recommend trying micro1 first. Mercor is another option when a role fits your experience.

For specialist work: choose a listing whose work you can explain from experience. micro1's process includes applying, an AI interview and onboarding. Its guidance says certification makes you eligible for relevant projects, but does not guarantee immediate placement.

- [micro1's application and certification guidance](https://www.micro1.ai/experts)
- [How to get a job on micro1, step by step](https://aipaylist.com/guides/how-to-get-a-job-on-micro1)

Mercor documents applications with a résumé, assessments and work-authorization checks, with steps varying by role. A project application involves different preparation from choosing an available study.

- [Mercor application guide](https://talent.docs.mercor.com/how-to/apply)

## Choose one next application

Write down what matters most: short sessions, a particular language, use of an existing skill, or a workable weekly commitment. Then read the original listing for one plausible option.

Record four answers:

- Am I eligible where I currently live?
- What must I complete before I can be considered for paid work?
- Does the work fit the uninterrupted time I can actually offer?
- What evidence would show that I have moved beyond a waitlist or application?

If an essential requirement is missing, resolve it before giving the application your next evening. If the role clearly excludes you, move on.

Keep application effort separate from earnings. A listed hourly rate is incomplete information until you know your offered rate and how much paid work is available.

- [Before another assessment takes your evening](https://aipaylist.com/guides/before-ai-job-assessment)
- [Check which country and language requirements apply](https://aipaylist.com/guides/ai-training-jobs-outside-us)

## A useful next step

If AI evaluation fits your skills, browse current AIPayList listings and open the original source before applying. If studies are the closer fit, start with the study route above. The best next application is one you can qualify for and complete without guessing what comes afterward.

- [Browse current AIPayList listings](https://aipaylist.com/)

Sources checked September 9, 2026. Availability and admission rules can change.

## Common questions

### When is MTurk closing?

Amazon's closure FAQ gives September 30, 2026 as the permanent closure date. Check the linked FAQ for any updated instructions.

### Will completed MTurk work still be paid?

Amazon says completed, approved HITs follow the normal disbursement schedule. Check your Worker account's payment settings and use Amazon's support for account-specific issues.

### Can an alternative replace my MTurk income immediately?

An application, waitlist or certification does not establish when paid work will arrive. Choose by eligible residence, relevant skills and workable hours, then record the actual offer and paid work separately.


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Source: AIPayList (https://aipaylist.com/guides/mturk-closing-alternatives)
By Alex. Published 2026-09-09. Sources checked 2026-09-09.