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Turning a drone hobby into a career or side hustle is rewarding both creatively and financially. The opportunities are nearly endless and this newer industry is only getting started.
Many drone pilots in creative fields like photography and videography run their own businesses, but there are many opportunities in large corporations.
In this article, we’ll cover the most common drone careers, average national salaries, and industries.
Drone Photography - $42,000 (Average)
Photos taken from drones are gorgeous and impossible to replicate from the ground.
Drone photographers are responsible for taking photos of landscapes, land parcels, events, and everything in between. They’ll also use software to edit photos to match their creative vision.
On its own, drone photography won’t generate a lot of income. That’s why most drone photographers will also offer videography.
Related Article: 7 Drone Photography Tips for Beginners
Industry Options for Drone Photography
Drone photography can be helpful across various industries, including:
- Real estate
- Agriculture
- Construction
- Environmental monitoring and surveillance
- Nature publications
Real estate is the most common use of drone photography and allows real estate agents to show their listings in a new and unique way.
Drone Videographer - $63,000 (Average)
Drone videographers are in a very similar bucket to drone photographers. The most basic responsibility of drone videographers is to shoot videos using a drone, but there is a lot more to the job.
Drone videos can range from simple landscapes to complex flythroughs of office spaces. Depending on the kinds of videos you want to make, you’ll need to skill-up your flying technique.
Some jobs may require you to shoot only raw footage, but most videographers are also responsible for:
- Planning shots
- Storyboarding
- Shooting footage
- Editing
Most small business drone videographers are also editors and creative directors. They are responsible for talking with clients, understanding their vision, and creating a video that matches that vision.
Industry Options for Drone Videography
Drone videos are used across many industries and there are always more opportunities. These are just some of the industries that typically utilize drone videography:
- Real Estate
- Advertisement
- Agriculture
- Tourism
- Construction
If you’re running a small drone business, pitch your services to anyone. You might be surprised by what businesses would love your videography abilities.
Related Article: Best Drone Photography and Video Editing Software
Drone Mapper - $60,000 (Average)
Drone mapping is a new kind of drone application that uses 2D images to create 3-dimensional maps. This kind of software is very commercial-focused; using it can be challenging and paying for it is even more challenging.
That being said, drone mapping is a kind of job that businesses will employ someone for. Many industrial construction businesses or large-scale operations can afford to hire drone technicians and site mappers.
If drone mapping is something you’re interested in, work at becoming a better pilot. Drone mappers need to be exact and stable.
Related Articles: Drone Mapping Software
Industry Options for Drone Mappers
The industries that use drone mappers most are in the industrial and infrastructure business.
- Mining
- Geography
- Construction
- Urban planning
- Inspection
- Environmental planning
- Aerospace
- Land development
Drone mapping is a highly technical application of drones and may require a deep understanding of topography, using the software, and flight skills.
Delivery Flyer - $55,000 (Average)
Drone delivery is a budding industry. The role of a delivery flyer is to use a drone to deliver smaller parcels. As a delivery flyer, you may be responsible for keeping track of customer locations and confirming delivery.
Industry Options for Delivery Flyers
This job is primarily used in the postal and delivery industry, but it’s always growing. Some ideas of where delivery with drones can go include moving important tools or goods across working yards or factories.
General Drone Pilot - $60,000 (Average)
Drone pilot is a general catch-all term for people who work with drones. There are a lot of roles these professionals can fill:
- Insurance claims assessment
- Emergency response situations
- Crop assessment
- Search and rescue operations
- City planning and infrastructure inspection
- Construction monitoring
- Delivery
Drone pilots can step in for situations where helicopters or planes can’t. Salary ranges widely and these roles are often employment opportunities. If you decide to create your own business and do contract work, you may be able to pick some of these jobs up.
Industry Options for Drone Pilots
There isn’t a list of all the industries that could use drone pilots. It’s a newer job market and the opportunities are nearly endless. If you have an idea for how you can provide drone services to a business, pitch the idea and see if it’ll work out.
How to Get a Job as a Drone Pilot
If you’re looking for a job as a pilot, it’s safe to assume you’ve already had some practice flying a drone. You should keep practicing flying to get your skills to where they need to go.
However, there is a lot more you can do to prepare yourself and find drone jobs.
Learn everything you need to know about operating a drone and making money doing so by enrolling in drone courses with the REDC.
Get Certified
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the regulatory body for drone flying. Before anyone can legally make money flying a drone, they need to be certified with a Part 107 license.
The process of receiving this license includes a background check and a robust test. Earning your Part 107 license is challenging, but there are many resources to help you study.
Want help studying for the Part 107 license? Sign up for Pilot Institute's Part 107 Night Training Course for free through the REDC.
Follow The Demand
Because there are so many opportunities available to drone pilots, it’s hard to know where to start. Take a look at what local businesses are in your area and follow the demand.
Drone jobs are in demand and the market is consistently expanding.
Find a Drone Job or Start a Business
You should choose whether or not you want to find a job as a drone pilot or start a business of your own. With a job, you can work in construction, mining, and break into bigger industries. These jobs use drones that are different from consumer types.
Starting your own drone business gives you the ability to do what you want, how you want it, but you won’t have access to larger or more technical drone applications.
Find Support At the REDC
Drone pilots go one of two routes. Getting employed by a business, or starting their own business.
We offer a huge selection of Pilot Institute courses for drone pilots beyond basic Part 207 training:
- Drone Maneuvers Mastery
- The Ultimate Drone Pilot Guide
- Drone Business Made Easy
- Droneresponders Part 107 Bundle
- Drone Photo/Video Masterclass
You can also find deep dive courses about piloting the most popular drone models for professionals.
Whichever route you choose, the Regional Economic Development Center at Yavapai College is here to help you every step of the way. From business counseling to career services, the REDC has something for everyone.
Get in touch to start taking advantage of the many resources available to you.