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Air Survey Pilot Jobs (NOW HIRING)

State of Nevada (NV)

PILOT 3

Carson City, NV

$76K - $114K/yr

Primary flying duties will be assisting Department staff in conducting wildlife survey activities ... air traffic control rules and procedures; flight theory as applicable to multi- and/or single ...

State of Louisiana

Aircraft Pilot 1-2

Baton Rouge, LA · On-site

$5.1K - $9.2K/mo

Responsible for detection and survey flights pertaining to insect and disease outbreaks; this ... may make air observations for the purpose of pinpointing damaged forest areas on aerial maps ...

State of Louisiana

Aircraft Pilot 1-2

Baton Rouge, LA · On-site

$5.1K - $9.2K/mo

Responsible for detection and survey flights pertaining to insect and disease outbreaks; this ... make air observations for the purpose of pinpointing damaged forest areas on aerial maps.

Skyports Deliveries Limited

$60 - $90/hr

Founded in 2018, Skyports is at the forefront of the Advanced Air Mobility revolution, developing ... a focus on rural deliveries, surveying, surveillance, and maritime services. Skyports ...

Accura Engineering and Consulting Services, Inc.

Be Seen First

Survey Project Manager

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$135K - $155K/yr

SIT license * 107 Remote Pilot's Certification a plus * Advanced knowledge and experience with ... Air Force for more than 10 years. We also work with other federal agencies including NASA, GSA ...

Tex-Air Drone

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Drone Pilot & Data Specialist

Amarillo, TX · On-site

$30K - $40K/yr

Background in photogrammetry, LiDAR, GIS, CAD, surveying, precision ag, or remote sensing ... Tex-Air Drone LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Company Description About Us Based in Amarillo ...

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Air Survey Pilot information

See salary details

$49.5K

$130.9K

$201K

How much do air survey pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for air survey pilot in the United States is $130,916.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $100,000.00 and $155,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an air survey pilot?

Air Survey Pilots are specialized pilots who operate aircraft for the purpose of conducting aerial surveys. These surveys involve collecting data and imagery from the air, which is used in mapping, environmental studies, construction planning, and other fields. Air Survey Pilots must have strong flying skills and a deep understanding of survey equipment and procedures. They often work closely with surveyors, engineers, and scientists to ensure accurate data collection. Their role is essential for gathering information that cannot be easily obtained from the ground.

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

Air Survey Pilots often face challenges such as maintaining precise flight paths and altitudes required for accurate data collection, which can be demanding in varying weather and airspace conditions. Coordinating closely with survey technicians and camera operators is essential to ensure equipment functions correctly and data is captured as planned. Additionally, flights may require early mornings or long hours to take advantage of optimal light and weather, and navigating restricted or busy airspace can add complexity to mission planning and execution. Adaptability and strong communication skills are key for overcoming these challenges and ensuring mission success.

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

To thrive as an Air Survey Pilot, you need an FAA commercial pilot license, strong navigation skills, and experience with aerial survey operations. Familiarity with specialized survey equipment, GPS mapping systems, and flight planning software is typically required. Attention to detail, effective communication, and adaptability are crucial soft skills for managing complex missions and collaborating with survey teams. These competencies ensure safe, accurate data collection and efficient coordination during aerial survey projects.

What is the difference between Air Survey Pilot vs Drone Pilot?

AspectAir Survey PilotDrone Pilot
CredentialsCommercial pilot license, specific survey trainingRemote Pilot Certificate (Part 107), drone operation training
Work EnvironmentAircraft in open skies, often over remote areasGround-based, controlled environments, or outdoor locations
Industry UsageMapping, aerial surveys, geographic data collectionInspection, photography, small-scale mapping

While both roles involve aerial operations, Air Survey Pilots operate manned aircraft for detailed surveys and mapping, requiring pilot licenses and specialized training. Drone Pilots operate unmanned aerial vehicles for various data collection tasks, often with different certification requirements. The choice depends on project scope, scale, and industry needs.

More about Air Survey Pilot jobs

What cities are hiring for Air Survey Pilot jobs?

Cities with the most Air Survey Pilot job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Air Survey Pilot jobs?

The most popular types of Air Survey Pilot jobs are:

What states have the most Air Survey Pilot jobs?

States with the most job openings for Air Survey Pilot jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Air Survey Pilot jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Air Survey Pilot jobs are:

Air Survey Pilot jobs near you
Infographic showing various Air Survey Pilot job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,916 per year, or $62.9 per hour.

Aerial Survey Captain

dynamicaviation

Bridgewater, VA • On-site

$27 - $33.50/hr

Full-time, Per diem

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 7 days ago

Job description

We are currently looking for Captains to travel extensively, provide safe and professional short notice, on-demand, aerial surveying operations in Beechcraft King Air 90 or King Air 200 aircraft.  Hear from a few of our pilots and learn more about the mission here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-fBKZkY9O0&t=6s 

 Company Compensation and Perks:    

  • Full time position  
  • Hourly
  • Company paid airline, hotel, rental car and per diem (when on project)
  • Company paid training with no backlog  
  • Comprehensive Benefits offered
    • Medical, Dental, Vision
    • HSA/FSA
    • Life Insurance, Long-Term and Short-Term Disability
    • Employee Assistance Program
    • 401(k) with Company Match 
    • Paid Time Off (PTO) 
    • Relocation Assistance

Position Summary:   The Airborne Data Acquisition (ADA) Captain reports to the Operations Program Manager and is responsible to provide safe and professional short notice, on-demand, aerial surveying operations in Beechcraft King Air 90 or King Air 200 aircraft.

Key Responsibilities:   

  • Perform all duties and responsibilities of the pilot in command (PIC) 
  • Be familiar with destination, alternate airports, actual and forecasted meteorological conditions, fuel and oil requirements, navigation and radio aids, and applicable NOTAMs 
  • Encourage a strong aviation safety culture and comply with the company’s safety management system
  • Serve a variety of customers from government to commercial agencies
  • Collaborate with the customer to plan efficient survey operations to maximize mission data collection 
  • Ensure effective communication takes place routinely with customers, system operations center, and manager. Customer communication includes crew rotation plans, crew rest, maintenance requirements, and weather outlook considerations 
  • Ensure manager is informed of the customer, aircraft, weather, or other potential issues that may compromise mission accomplishment
  • Ensure all assigned preflight, postflight, and reporting responsibilities are proactively performed personally or by delegation to the flight crew
  • Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications 

  • High school diploma
  • FAA Commercial multi-engine pilot certificate with instrument rating
  • FAA First or Second Class Medical 
  • Minimum of 1,000 hours total time 

Preferred Qualifications

  • Relevant college degree preferred 

Additional Requirements

  • Relocation to the Bridgewater, Virginia  area
  • Ability to travel extensively, schedule is roughly 28 days on the road at a time and 14 days off
  • Ability to lift, balance, and carry 75 lbs.

Pay Band: $27.00-$33.50. Starting pay is determined by experience, qualifications, and internal equity, and typically falls between the minimum and midpoint of the pay range.

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