micro1 · Software & coding
Competitive Coder
Listed on micro1 as “Competitive Coder”
How this rate compares
This listing
$45–$65 per hour
Typical in Software & coding
$70–$120 per hour
Below the typical range
Typical: the middle of the lowest and highest rates posted by 38 listings in this category on Seoulstart, in US dollars.
What this actually is
You review AI-generated code, rank model outputs against each other, write prompts that test edge cases, and provide expert feedback that gets used to train coding models. Not shipping production software. The platform title (Competitive Coder) reflects the rate band and the expertise required, not the day-to-day work.
How micro1 picks people
- Apply to the role, then do an interview with micro1's AI recruiter. It takes 20 to 40 minutes.
- Some roles add a short skills test after the interview.
- If you pass, micro1 asks you to finish your profile and verify your ID. You then join its certified pool and can apply to its other open roles.
Before you start
- Plan for 40 minutes in a quiet place.
- Have your CV and two or three examples of your own work in this field ready to talk about.
Not every applicant gets an offer. Prepare well for the interview.
How to prepare for the micro1 interview
Source: micro1's help pages. library.micro1.ai
Can you do this on your visa?
F-2 / F-4 / F-5 / F-6: open. E-1 to E-7: needs concurrent-employment permit. D-2 / D-4 students: S-3 permit, 20 hr/week cap. D-10 / D-8: case by case.
Korean tax on USD income
First 5 years in Korea: foreign-source income only taxed if remitted into Korea. After year 5: worldwide income. Full tax guide.
Original posting from micro1
Job Title: Competitive Coder
Job Type: Contractor (15hrs+ a week)
Location: Remote
Opportunity Snapshot
Pay: $30 - $100
Commitment: 15+ hours per week
Location: Fully remote
You’ll need: Strong competitive programming background and advanced C++
Your tasks: Create original competitive programming problems with reference solutions and robust test suites
You’ll create Reinforcement Learning Environments that test a model’s ability to solve hard algorithmic problems. Each task means writing an original problem that doesn’t exist on any online judge, a correct reference solution, and a test suite strong enough that a wrong solution fails.
What you’ll do
• Design original competitive programming problems, absent from Codeforces, AtCoder, and all other judges.
• Write a correct reference solution and verify it against the constraints.
• Build a robust test suite: edge cases, maximum constraints, and tests that break plausible wrong approaches.
• Implement checkers for problems with multiple valid outputs.
• Document the problem’s intended solution, complexity, and the reasoning behind your test cases.
• Review problems from other contributors for correctness and test coverage.
• Flag problems that turn out to be ambiguous or have unintended solutions.What we’re looking for
• Strong competitive programming record - Codeforces, AtCoder, ICPC, IOI, or equivalent.
• Advanced C++ for reference solutions and checkers.
• Deep algorithmic knowledge and the ability to reason about constraints, complexity, and edge cases.
• Meticulous attention to detail in validation and output consistency.
• Clear written and verbal English for documenting problems and edge cases.
• Comfortable working independently and meeting deadlines.
• Prior experience as a problem setter, tester, or checker on a major platform is a strong plus.
Compensation Structure
Compensation is output-based; experts are paid per task that meets the project specifications. The time required may vary depending on your experience and workflow. Minimum submission requirements apply.
Start Timeline & Availability
We typically fill roles within 48 hours and are looking for experts ready to jump in right away. If selected, we expect you to start your first tasks within 24-48 hours of completing onboarding.
How the selection process works
• Apply and complete the screening questions
• Complete the AI interview for this role - it’s how your expertise gets in front of the client
• Profile review
• Onboarding - our Talent Ops team will get you set up
Quoted from micro1's public listing on 2026-11-13. We don't edit platform copy; honest framing is in the title and the “what this actually is” block above.
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About micro1
Recruits experts and generalists for AI training projects and lists each role with an hourly range on its own job board. You apply per role, then do a role-specific interview with micro1's AI recruiter.
Is micro1 legit? Our review
A real US company that pays experts in USD through Deel twice a month. The hard part is getting from the Zara AI interview to paid work. Covers pay and who can join.
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