Drone Pilots

Unmanned aircraft systems, or drones, are used to gather military intelligence, collect information on the health of crops and endangered species, survey damage after tornadoes and floods, check utility lines in inaccessible places, and perform many other tasks. Drone pilots operate unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). They fly drones that range in size from those smaller than a computer mouse to the U.S. government’s Global Hawk, which is 44-feet long and has a 115-foot wingspan. Drone pilots are also known as unmanned aerial vehicle pilots, unmanned aircraft pilots, and unmanned aircraft systems operators.

Salary Range

$50,000 to $100,000+

Minimum Education Level

Bachelor's Degree

Certification/License

Required

Outlook

Faster than the Average

Personality Traits

Hands On

Problem-Solving

Technical

Career Ladder

Flight Director

Drone Pilot

Student