Drone Operator / Pilot
Also known as: Drone Pilot, UAV Operator, UAS Pilot
Fly drones for aerial photography, surveying, agriculture, delivery, inspection, and cinematography.
Salary Range
The highest-paid specialization or seniority level for drone operator / pilots.
About 1 in 1,000 reaches this level
About 400K FAA Part 107 holders but most are hobbyists; full-time UAV program directors at $200K exist mainly in defense. Commercial drone market projected to grow from $21B to $1.2T by 2030.
Salary data based on 2025 BLS, Glassdoor, and industry reports. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
How to Become One
Pass the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Knowledge Test. Additional certifications vary by industry (surveying, filmmaking, agriculture).
For more information: Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) ↗
AI Risk Assessment
The trade with the most genuine AI risk. Autonomous drone technology is advancing rapidly — many flights for surveying, mapping, and inspection already run on pre-programmed flight paths with no human pilot needed. The commercial drone market is growing massively (projected $21B to $1.2T by 2030), but the core hands-on piloting skill faces significant automation pressure. Entry-level roles increasingly mean "drone system supervisor" rather than hands-on pilot.
Ratings reflect a 10-year outlook based on 2025-2026 research, weighted toward entry-level impact. Individual outcomes will vary.
Related Careers
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