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It’s hard to get an exact estimate of how much a drone pilot will make, but there is potential to earn hundreds of thousands of dollars per year. However, per a DroneU survey, rates can land between $800 and $1,200 for a single day of work for the highest earners. Glassdoor lists the 2022 annual salary of drone pilots at $70,000. The hourly rate also varies by project and industry. The salary of drone pilots varies, especially since many pilots work as freelancers. How much money does a commercial drone pilot make? As we mentioned, the FAA uses the term “UAV” frequently, and that’s the official term for what commercial drone pilots use. A $100 drone for recreational purposes won’t be referred to as a UAV, but an expensive UAV can be considered a drone. If you want to get technical, UAVs are more advanced versions of drones.
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A UAS includes the whole system, including steering and the pilot, so the UAV is a part of the UAS. “UAS,” on the other hand, refers to more than just the aircraft. For the most part, those terms are used interchangeably. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) frequently uses UAV to refer to drones, while most mainstream media outlets use the term drone, as it’s better known to the average reader. You may see different terminology depending on the source. Another common term used in this industry is UAS, which refers to unmanned aircraft systems. What’s the difference between a drone, a UAV and a UAS?Ī UAV is an unmanned aerial vehicle. This can require a significant amount of travel to work sites. Many companies don’t employ full-time drone pilots, but bring people in to fly drones for specific projects. Our research found that most companies hire drone pilots for freelance jobs. Commercial drone pilots execute different drone needs for different businesses. Some companies use drones to take aerial photos and videos for marketing purposes, while other companies use drones for aerial surveillance. What does a commercial drone pilot do?Īt the most basic level, commercial drone pilots fly drones for companies in a range of industries for varying purposes. For prospective drone pilots who are enterprising enough to leap into this novel occupation, work that is both thrilling and profitable awaits. One such job is commercial drone pilot.Īccording to a Research and Markets report, companies across myriad industries will spend over $16 billion on drones and drone services and catalyze the drone service market to create 100,000 new jobs by 2025. This article is for prospective freelance drone pilots interested in working in the burgeoning and lucrative new industry of drone piloting.Īs the gig economy continues to grow around the world, new professions have arisen to service the changing technological and economic demands of multiple industries.
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