Commercial Drone Pilot Salary

Average Commercial Drone Pilot Base Salary in the United States

Average Base Salary

$63,434 Per Year

Salary Range: $37,178 to $96,423

Commercial Drone Pilot Salary

$37,178

10%

$47,565

25% 

$ 63,434

AVERAGE

$76,111

75%  

$96,423

90%  

How Much Does a Commercial Drone Pilot Make Per Year in the United States?

The national average salary for a  Commercial Drone Pilot is $63,434 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 $63,434 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 a Commercial Drone Pilot?

Commercial Drone Pilot salaries vary depending on the company you work for, your experience level, industry, education, and years of experience. The average annual salary is around $63,434 but a Commercial Drone Pilot can earn a base salary anywhere from $37,178 to $96,423 per year with some companies paying more than others.

Pay ranges on average for a Commercial Drone Pilot 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 a Commercial Drone Pilot?

The highest Commercial Drone Pilot salaries in the top 10% earn more than $96,423 per year. The salary range for the top 75% – 90% is between and $76,111 and $96,423 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 a Commercial Drone Pilot?

The lowest Commercial Drone Pilot salaries are in the bottom 10% of earners who make less than $37,178 per year. The salary range for the lowest 10% – 25% is between $37,178 and $47,565 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 a Commercial Drone Pilot?

If we only look at the data for Commercial Drone Pilot salaries and we don’t compare it to any other jobs, a good salary for a Commercial Drone Pilot job would be over $63,434 per year. This is the average salary for this position in the United States. An excellent pay for a Commercial Drone Pilot would be anything over the top 75%, which is $76,111 annually.

How Can I Increase My Salary as a Commercial Drone Pilot?

There are a few ways you can increase your average salary for a profession as a Commercial Drone Pilot. 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 a Commercial Drone Pilot?

The top paying industries for a Commercial Drone Pilot 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 a Commercial Drone Pilot Have a Good Quality of Life?

Based on an average 2-bedroom apartment rental price, a Commercial Drone Pilot 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 Commercial Drone Pilot, 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 a Commercial Drone Pilot make good money?

 In general, a Commercial Drone Pilot can make a good salary. The national average salary is $52,632 annually which is less than the average Commercial Drone Pilot salary, meaning most earn a livable wage. According to data and labor statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average Commercial Drone Pilot 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 96,423 per year, while the lowest-paid income is less than 37,178 annually.

If you want to maximize your earnings as a Commercial Drone Pilot, 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 Commercial Drone Pilot 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 a Commercial Drone Pilot?

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 a Commercial Drone Pilot 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 a Commercial Drone Pilot 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 a Commercial Drone Pilot?

The money a Commercial Drone Pilot 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 a Commercial Drone Pilot 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.