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Commercial Drone Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Quanta Services

Drone Pilot

Midland, TX

The Drone Pilot will travel regularly to active project sites in the West Texas area, coordinate ... Experience operating drones in construction, industrial, infrastructure, or commercial environments ...

Wing

sUAS Flight Operator (FTC), Durham

Charlotte, NC · On-site

You will be a line sUAS Flight Operator for Wing's Part 135 commercial drone delivery service in the US operating out of our area operations center. Working with a team of technicians and field ...

Northstar Energy Services

Drone Pilot

Midland, TX

The Drone Pilot will travel regularly to active project sites in the West Texas area, coordinate ... Experience operating drones in construction, industrial, infrastructure, or commercial environments ...

Northstar Energy Services

Drone Pilot

Midland, TX · On-site

The Drone Pilot will travel regularly to active project sites in the West Texas area, coordinate ... Experience operating drones in construction, industrial, infrastructure, or commercial environments ...

Wing

sUAS Flight Operator (FTC), Durham

Charlotte, NC · On-site

$100K/yr

You will be a line sUAS Flight Operator for Wing's Part 135 commercial drone delivery service in the US operating out of our area operations center. Working with a team of technicians and field ...

TSMG

Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC)

Charlotte, NC · Remote

Conduct and oversee commercial drone operations in accordance with applicable regulations and operating procedures * Perform pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight activities * Assess flight ...

TSMG

Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC)

New Orleans, LA · Remote

Conduct and oversee commercial drone operations in accordance with applicable regulations and operating procedures * Perform pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight activities * Assess flight ...

TSMG

Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC)

Orlando, FL · Remote

Conduct and oversee commercial drone operations in accordance with applicable regulations and operating procedures * Perform pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight activities * Assess flight ...

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Commercial Drone Operator information

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$25

$59

How much do commercial drone operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for commercial drone operator in the United States is $25.89, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.83 and $30.29 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a commercial drone operator?

Commercial drone operators are professionals who use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for business purposes such as aerial photography, surveying, mapping, inspections, and deliveries. They are trained to safely operate drones in accordance with aviation regulations and are often required to obtain certifications or licenses, such as the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate in the United States. Commercial drone operators work in various industries, including real estate, construction, agriculture, and public safety, providing valuable data and services that would be difficult or costly to obtain otherwise.

What is the difference between Commercial Drone Operator vs Aerial Photographer?

AspectCommercial Drone OperatorAerial Photographer
CredentialsFAA Part 107 certification, drone pilot licensePhotography experience, portfolio, possibly FAA Part 107
Work EnvironmentOutdoor, various locations, regulated airspaceOutdoor, scenic or event locations, often on-site
Industry UsageReal estate, construction, inspections, mediaAdvertising, art, events, tourism

While both roles involve aerial work, Commercial Drone Operators focus on flying drones for commercial purposes following FAA regulations, whereas Aerial Photographers primarily capture images from the air, often for artistic or promotional use. The roles overlap in outdoor environments and may require similar certifications, but their primary objectives differ.

Is there a demand for commercial drone operators?

There is increasing demand for commercial drone operators across industries such as construction, agriculture, real estate, and film production. Employers seek certified operators skilled in drone flight, data collection, and safety regulations, leading to job growth in this field.

How to become a commercial drone operator?

To become a commercial drone operator, you typically need to obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or relevant authority, which involves passing a knowledge test. Additionally, you should have good flying skills, understand airspace regulations, and often need to register your drone if it exceeds certain weight limits.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a commercial drone operator?

To thrive as a Commercial Drone Operator, you need a solid understanding of aviation regulations, flight planning, and aerial photography or videography, usually backed by a Remote Pilot Certificate (Part 107) from the FAA. Familiarity with drone flight control systems, mapping software, and data processing tools is essential. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication help operators navigate diverse environments and client needs. These skills ensure safe, legal, and high-quality operations, which are crucial for delivering reliable results in commercial drone projects.

What are common challenges faced by commercial drone operators?

Commercial drone operators often encounter challenges such as adapting to rapidly changing weather conditions, ensuring compliance with evolving aviation regulations, and managing battery life for extended operations. They must also coordinate closely with clients and team members to capture precise data or imagery, which may require flexibility in scheduling and travel. Additionally, operators need to stay updated on the latest drone technologies and software to maintain efficiency and safety during missions.
More about Commercial Drone Operator jobs
What states have the most Commercial Drone Operator jobs? States with the most job openings for Commercial Drone Operator jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Commercial Drone Operator jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Commercial Drone Operator jobs are:
Commercial Drone Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Commercial Drone Operator job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $53,857 per year, or $25.9 per hour.

Real Estate Photographer & Drone Operator

Realty Plans

Boston, MA • On-site

$500 - $750/wk

Part-time

Re-posted 17 days ago

Job description

Are you ready to take control of your time and be your own boss? Then this is for you! Work when you want to and make a living doing it
Realty Plans is a revolutionary, high-impact imagery and floor plan firm that elevates ordinary real estate listings into the extraordinary. We deliver a range of comprehensive marketing media tools including photography, videography, drone services and more to enhance listings for real estate professionals.
We are looking for a dedicated and ambitious technician who is able to shoot photography, videography and drone to join our fast-growing company as we expand to new markets. In this position you are in control of your schedule. Give us your availability and we will give you work. This is an opportunity for an individual who is motivated and willing to grow with our company and seek rapid advancement.
The projects you'll be assigned to, include:
  • Photographing homes
  • Create videos of stunning real estate listings
  • Drone photography / videography
  • Floor Plans creation

Our ideal candidate:
  • 2-3 years experience
  • Working knowledge in HDR photography
  • Working knowledge in video creation
  • Working knowledge in drone videography and photography
  • Knowledge in creating Floor Plans (training will be provided)
  • Must have reliable transportation
  • Strong communication skills
  • Friendly, talented
  • Understands the value of building and maintaining professional relationships
  • The ability to work independently
  • Trustworthy, confident and reliable

EQUIPMENT:
  • Full frame camera
  • Drone
  • Wide angle Lens (17-35mm or similar)
  • Tripod for photography and video (professional grade)
  • Slider (professional grade)
  • Dolly (professional grade)
  • Gimbal
  • On camera speed-light, flash or strobe
  • Ipad or tablet
  • Smart phone with email access
  • Access to a computer with internet

MUST HAVE:
  • Reliable transportation
  • Reliable equipment
  • Great communications skills

SERVICE AREA:
  • Suffolk County, MA
  • Middlesex County, MA
  • Essex County
  • Norfolk County, MA
  • Plymouth County, MA

WHY US:
  • Be apart of an energetic start up with a lot of growth potential
  • Competitive compensation
  • A responsive customer success team that will support you every step of your shoot
  • Flexible Schedule - You control your availability

Compensation:
  • This is a commission based independent contractor position

Compensation: $500.00 - $750.00 per week
Who We Are
At the age of 17, Hicham Bensaoui moved from Morocco to the USA to follow his dream. He always had a passion for photography; what began as a hobby shooting landscape and portraits quickly turned into picking up work for fashion, weddings, and event photography. Soon after, he began his journey as a Real Estate Photographer, Videographer and Editor which quickly became his main focus. Hicham and his wife, Julia, realized there was a need in the real estate industry for consistent media quality and support. Fully committed, they put in long hours every day to grow the company and the team to what it has become today.
We opened our doors in 2014 under the name CT Plans. Our name changed to Realty Plans in 2022, but our core values have always stayed the same: quick turnaround, top quality, and a reliable support team to cater to the needs of our clients. We cover Residential, Commercial, Agent and Town services across the Northeast.
Work With Us
Join our team to help shape the future of real estate digital marketing tools.
Our Core Values:
  • Real
  • Equal
  • Driven
  • Honest
  • Inspired
  • Purposeful

Apply