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Aerial Survey Pilot Jobs (NOW HIRING)

TSMG

Drone Pilot

Chicago, IL

As a Drone Pilot, you should have a strong understanding of drone technology, excellent piloting ... Operate drones for aerial photography, videography, surveying, and inspections. * Conduct pre ...

TSMG

Drone Pilot

San Francisco, CA

As a Drone Pilot, you should have a strong understanding of drone technology, excellent piloting ... Operate drones for aerial photography, videography, surveying, and inspections. * Conduct pre ...

TSMG

Drone Pilot

Dallas, TX

As a Drone Pilot, you should have a strong understanding of drone technology, excellent piloting ... Operate drones for aerial photography, videography, surveying, and inspections. * Conduct pre ...

TSMG

Drone Pilot

Miami, FL

As a Drone Pilot, you should have a strong understanding of drone technology, excellent piloting ... Operate drones for aerial photography, videography, surveying, and inspections. * Conduct pre ...

TSMG

Drone Pilot

Seattle, WA

As a Drone Pilot, you should have a strong understanding of drone technology, excellent piloting ... Operate drones for aerial photography, videography, surveying, and inspections. * Conduct pre ...

TSMG

Drone Pilot

San Francisco, CA

As a Drone Pilot, you should have a strong understanding of drone technology, excellent piloting ... Operate drones for aerial photography, videography, surveying, and inspections. * Conduct pre ...

TSMG

Drone Pilot

Seattle, WA · On-site

As a Drone Pilot, you should have a strong understanding of drone technology, excellent piloting ... Operate drones for aerial photography, videography, surveying, and inspections. * Conduct pre ...

TSMG

Drone Pilot

New York, NY

As a Drone Pilot, you should have a strong understanding of drone technology, excellent piloting ... Operate drones for aerial photography, videography, surveying, and inspections. * Conduct pre ...

TSMG

Drone Pilot

Miami, FL

As a Drone Pilot, you should have a strong understanding of drone technology, excellent piloting ... Operate drones for aerial photography, videography, surveying, and inspections. * Conduct pre ...

TSMG

Drone Pilot

Chicago, IL

As a Drone Pilot, you should have a strong understanding of drone technology, excellent piloting ... Operate drones for aerial photography, videography, surveying, and inspections. * Conduct pre ...

TSMG

Drone Pilot

Dallas, TX

As a Drone Pilot, you should have a strong understanding of drone technology, excellent piloting ... Operate drones for aerial photography, videography, surveying, and inspections. * Conduct pre ...

TSMG

Drone Pilot

New York, NY · On-site

As a Drone Pilot, you should have a strong understanding of drone technology, excellent piloting ... Operate drones for aerial photography, videography, surveying, and inspections. * Conduct pre ...

Percheron LLC

Survey Drone Pilot

Katy, TX

Description UAS Pilot is a field position with some office work; the candidate will be working ... Knowledge of aerial LiDAR. * Knowledge of Photogrammetry. * Experience towing a trailer.

Aerotek

UH-60 Pilot

Mcminnville, OR

$108K - $162K/yr

Conduct aerial fire suppression, external load, long-line, dispensing, reconnaissance, and survey ... Pilots can expect approximately 250-300 flight hours annually with opportunities to operate ...

New

Percheron LLC

Survey Drone Pilot

Katy, TX

Description UAS Pilot is a field position with some office work; the candidate will be working ... Knowledge of aerial LiDAR. * Knowledge of Photogrammetry. * Experience towing a trailer.

Percheron LLC

Survey Drone Pilot

Katy, TX · On-site

Description UAS Pilot is a field position with some office work; the candidate will be working ... Knowledge of aerial LiDAR. * Knowledge of Photogrammetry. * Experience towing a trailer.

Percheron LLC

Survey Drone Pilot

Katy, TX

Description UAS Pilot is a field position with some office work; the candidate will be working ... Knowledge of aerial LiDAR. * Knowledge of Photogrammetry. * Experience towing a trailer.

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Aerial Survey Pilot information

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How much do aerial survey pilot jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for aerial survey pilot in the United States is $31.06, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.28 and $36.06 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an aerial survey pilot do?

An aerial survey pilot utilizes mapping or photographic equipment while operating an aircraft. As a survey pilot, you fly over an assigned area and capture images or record data for surveying or data collection purposes. Your duties include determining the best path to obtain the required images, checking your equipment to ensure they all work properly, and coordinating with air traffic control to carry out your flight plan. While flying, you may also need to trigger sensors or turn on equipment over a designated area, fly an operator in your aircraft, or carry remote-controlled or automated sensing equipment. Survey pilots often fly in fixed-wing aircraft, though some positions require you to operate a helicopter.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an aerial survey pilot, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Aerial Survey Pilot, you need a commercial pilot’s license, strong navigation skills, and experience with low-altitude flight operations. Familiarity with aerial mapping tools, GPS systems, and specialized survey equipment is typically required. Attention to detail, strong communication, and the ability to stay calm under pressure are crucial soft skills for managing complex missions and ensuring safety. These competencies are vital to accurately capturing data, maintaining safety standards, and delivering reliable results for survey projects.

What is an aerial survey pilot?

Aerial survey pilots are specialized aviators who operate aircraft equipped with cameras and sensors to capture images and data from the air. Their primary role is to fly specific routes over designated areas to collect information for mapping, environmental monitoring, land assessment, or resource management. These pilots work closely with survey teams and must ensure precise flight paths and altitudes to gather accurate data. They often fly small aircraft at low altitudes and may work in a variety of weather and terrain conditions.

What are some common challenges faced by aerial survey pilots during data collection missions?

Aerial Survey Pilots often encounter challenges such as rapidly changing weather conditions, navigating restricted or complex airspace, and maintaining precise flight paths required for accurate data capture. Additionally, pilots must coordinate closely with survey technicians and ground crews to ensure equipment is functioning correctly and data is collected according to project specifications. Effective communication and adaptability are key, as missions may require adjusting flight plans or schedules at short notice to achieve optimal results.
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Aerial Survey Pilot jobs near you
Infographic showing various Aerial Survey Pilot job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 74% Full Time, 24% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $64,602 per year, or $31.1 per hour.

Part 107 UAS Pilot/ Survey Party Chief

Encompass Energy Services, LLC

Houston, TX • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 4 days ago

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Part 107 UAS Pilot / Survey Party Chief to support our growing survey and geospatial operations. This position is responsible for performing traditional survey tasks, and operating UAV platforms for aerial mapping, LiDAR, imagery, inspection, and related data collection. The ideal candidate has strong field leadership experience, understands survey workflows, and can safely execute UAS missions in accordance with FAA Part 107 requirements and company procedures.
Key Responsibilities
  • Serve as Survey Party Chief on field assignments, including topographic, boundary, construction, utility, route, and control surveys.
  • Operate UAV systems under FAA Part 107 regulations for aerial mapping, LiDAR, photogrammetry, inspection, and data collection missions.
  • Plan and execute UAS flights, including airspace review, mission planning, equipment checks, battery management, and field safety coordination.
  • Establish and collect survey control, ground control points, checkpoints, and QA/QC observations using GNSS and robotic total station equipment.
  • Lead field crews, assign daily tasks, verify field procedures, and ensure data is collected accurately and efficiently.
  • Maintain accurate field notes, digital records, flight logs, equipment logs, and project documentation.
  • Coordinate with Project Managers, Data Managers, and office staff to confirm scope, deliverables, schedules, and field requirements.
  • Perform preflight inspections, equipment maintenance checks, and follow all company UAV safety procedures.
  • Identify field conflicts, access issues, safety concerns, and scope changes, and communicate them promptly.
  • Support data quality by ensuring proper control layout, scan/flight coverage, photo overlap, and field verification.

Required Qualifications
  • Current FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
  • Survey Party Chief experience with the ability to lead a field crew independently.
  • Experience with GNSS receivers, total stations, data collectors, and standard field survey procedures.
  • Strong understanding of survey control, topographic data collection, construction staking, and field QA/QC.
  • Ability to read plans, survey scopes, maps, and project instructions.
  • Strong safety mindset and ability to follow company, client, and FAA requirements.
  • Valid driver's license and clean driving record.
  • Ability to travel, work outdoors in varying conditions, and lift/carry field equipment.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with UAV LiDAR, photogrammetry, and mapping workflows.
  • Experience with Trimble, QGround Control, DJI Pilot, UgCS, or similar systems.
  • Knowledge of SUE, utility surveys, transmission corridors, renewable energy sites, or large-scale civil projects.
  • Experience training or mentoring junior field staff.

Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a dependable field leader who can operate safely, think ahead, and produce high-quality survey and UAS data. This role requires someone who is comfortable managing both people and technology in the field, understands the importance of accurate control, and can represent the company professionally with clients and project teams.

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