UAV Operator Salary

Average UAV Operator Base Salary in the United States

Average Base Salary

$63,418 Per Year

Salary Range: $37,260 to $95,399

UAV Operator Salary

$37,260

10%

$47,158

25% 

$ 63,418

AVERAGE

$75,036

75%  

$95,399

90%  

How Much Does an UAV Operator Make Per Year in the United States?

The national average salary for an  UAV Operator is $63,418 per year in the United States. It can vary depending on the employer and the skills required for that position, but generally, it will be about $63,418 or more annually for a gross salary. Taxes impact salaries, so to get the net salary we’ve crunched the data and gotten the tax information on what the take-home pay would be after the effective income tax rates. 

Technology Used

Microsoft Excel – Spreadsheet software

Microsoft PowerPoint – Presentation software

SAP business and customer relations management software – Enterprise resource planning ERP software

Autodesk AutoCAD – Computer aided design CAD software

The MathWorks MATLAB – Analytical or scientific software

Linux – Operating system software

Python – Object or component oriented development software

National Instruments LabVIEW – Development environment software

Knowledge and Expertise

Mechanical

Computers and Electronics

Engineering and Technology

Production and Processing

Mathematics

Public Safety and Security

Soft Skills

Operations Monitoring

Monitoring

Troubleshooting

Quality Control Analysis

Critical Thinking

Repairing

What is the salary range of an UAV Operator?

UAV Operator salaries vary depending on the company you work for, your experience level, industry, education, and years of experience. The average annual salary is around $63,418 but an UAV Operator can earn a base salary anywhere from $37,260 to $95,399 per year with some companies paying more than others.

Pay ranges on average for an UAV Operator job title only vary a good amount, which may mean that there are many opportunities to earn more income in the future regardless of the employers or your location, industry, and experience.

A salary range that varies also means there is ability to move up within the company, as there may be as many opportunities for advancement or to change your job title. This opportunity for  advancement can help with can increase their job satisfaction and motivation.

What are the Highest Salaries for an UAV Operator?

The highest UAV Operator salaries in the top 10% earn more than $95,399 per year. The salary range for the top 75% – 90% is between and $75,036 and $95,399 annually.

This salary data and salary estimates come from our Average Pay’s salary database of carefully collected and detailed information about pay across many industries and categories, along with different types of labor data.

What are the Lowest Salaries for an UAV Operator?

The lowest UAV Operator salaries are in the bottom 10% of earners who make less than $37,260 per year. The salary range for the lowest 10% – 25% is between $37,260 and $47,158 annually.   

This salary data and salary estimates come from our Average Pay’s salary database of carefully collected and detailed information about pay across many industries and categories, along with different types of labor data.

What is a Good Salary for an UAV Operator?

If we only look at the data for UAV Operator salaries and we don’t compare it to any other jobs, a good salary for an UAV Operator job would be over $63,418 per year. This is the average salary for this position in the United States. An excellent pay for an UAV Operator would be anything over the top 75%, which is $75,036 annually.

How Can I Increase My Salary as an UAV Operator?

There are a few ways you can increase your average salary for a profession as an UAV Operator. One way is to get promoted to a higher level and take on more duties within your employer. Another way is to gain more experience and skills in your career. You can also try negotiating higher compensation next performance review, when you are up for renewal or starting a new contract with a business.

Finally, you can look for a new job at a different employer that pays more. One thing not to overlook is companies often give their employees incentives and benefits outside of salaries. The total compensation, like healthcare, paid vacation days, 401k matches, bonuses, overtime, professional development, a career path in the company, and other benefits, need to be considered, which can add up to a lot more money than just a salary increase.

What are the Top Paying Industries for an UAV Operator?

The top paying industries for an UAV Operator job vary depending on the position’s specific responsibilities, employers, and qualifications. However, some common reported high-paying industries for include the following:

  • Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
  • Manufacturing
  • Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services
  • Engineering Services
  • Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing
  • Finance and Insurance

Does an UAV Operator Have a Good Quality of Life?

Based on an average 2-bedroom apartment rental price, an UAV Operator would pay 15.63% of their monthly take-home pay towards rent. That’s $1,310 per month or $15,720 yearly for a two-bedroom apartment.

The rent is less than 30% of the monthly take-home pay for an UAV Operator, which can helps lessen a financial burden and impact their quality of life.

This is because a high rent-to-income ratio would leave less money each month for other expenses, such as food, transportation, recreation, and activities. It can lead to financial stress, impacting overall job satisfaction and motivation.

Considering the cost of living in a city when considering whether to accept a job offer is essential. If the cost of living is too high, it might not be worth it, even if the salary is good.

Does an UAV Operator make good money?

 In general, an UAV Operator can make a good salary. The national average salary is $52,632 annually which is less than the average UAV Operator salary, meaning most earn a livable wage. According to data and labor statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average UAV Operator pay is above the median salary.

However, salaries can vary depending on the company you work for, what you are responsible for, education, college degree, work experience, job market, and your experience level. The highest-paid can earn upwards of 95,399 per year, while the lowest-paid income is less than 37,260 annually.

If you want to maximize your earnings as a UAV Operator, take on more responsibility, and gain more experience in related skills. Also, build interpersonal skills and strong leadership skills, get a certification in your field and then negotiate for a higher salary next performance review, when you are up for renewal or starting a new contract with a business.

The best thing you can do is develop yourself and gain knowledge. Many courses, additional training, and professional development opportunities in your area can help increase your skills and development in your job or related field.

You can also get your resume reviewed and look for a new employer that will hire and pay more or look for a career change that is hiring and may interest you more.

Salaries are also relative to the cost of living in different parts of the country. For example, the compensation for a UAV Operator will need to be higher if it is in or closer to larger cities like New York City or some states like California. The increase in pay in these areas is because of the higher than average cost of living and more interested applicants for employment versus someone living in a small town. With the cost of housing increasing and medical care premium costs, it is essential to ensure you are getting paid what you are worth.

How do I know I’m being paid fairly as an UAV Operator?

The easiest way is to see how close your current salary is to the average pay for your position in your state and city. If your income is below the estimated average wage in your area, you can try to negotiate for a raise.

You can use our research and tools to discover the average salary for an UAV Operator in your city or region to see if you are being compensated fairly. You may also compare your income to similar jobs and careers to determine whether you are underpaid or overpaid. Lastly, you can set up job alerts to see how the job market trends.

A few other ways you can research whether you’re being paid fairly as an UAV Operator is to do a job search to look at job postings for similar positions and see the estimate for the listed salary range. You can also talk to people in your network who have similar jobs and ask them what they earn. Finally, you can try negotiating a higher pay when you are up for renewal, having a performance evaluation, or starting a new contract.

What Factors Determine the Salary of an UAV Operator?

The money an UAV Operator can make each year greatly depends on a few components that determine an average base salary.

The company you work for is one of the main factors that affect how much an UAV Operator earns.

The compensation will also depend on the location, as some states and cities have a higher cost of living than others. Other factors that affect compensation are the number of hours worked, company size, job type, level of experience in your career, and location.