Without accurate annotation, even the most sophisticated algorithm is just a black box of potential errors. For businesses building AI models, the bottleneck often isn’t computing power or algorithm design—it’s getting enough clean data to train the model effectively. This is where the role of a data annotator becomes critical. But what exactly does a data annotator do? Do you need a freelancer or a dedicated team? And how do you ensure quality without blowing your budget? This guide covers everything you need to know to find the right data annotator for hire.