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Drone Camera Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Park Group Solutions

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Camera Operator/Videographer and Video Editor

Newtown, CT · On-site

Drone Operation License (Part 107) is a plus Education * High school or equivalent (Preferred) * BA ... Cinema Oriented (C200, Ursa, etc) * 360 Cameras (a Plus) * DJI Phantom/Mavic (a Plus) Job Type ...

Gather AI

Staff Autonomy Engineer (Drone)

... cameras and compute to scan locations and report inventory data as equipment moves through the ... About the Role We're looking for a Staff Autonomy Engineer (Drone) to own the core autonomy ...

Eyesatop

FPV Drone Operator

New York, NY · On-site +1

$80K - $100K/yr

Expert FPV flying in full manual/acro mode (goggles + line-of-sight); this is a hands-on testing and R&D role, not a cinematic or GPS-assisted camera drone position * 2+ years of hands-on FPV ...

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How much do drone camera jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for drone camera in the United States is $22.49, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.19 and $24.76 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a drone camera operator?

Drone camera operators are professionals who use unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) equipped with cameras to capture photos and videos from the air. Their work is used in a variety of industries, including film and television, real estate, agriculture, surveying, and construction. They are responsible for operating the drone safely, planning flight paths, and ensuring high-quality visual content is captured according to project needs. Drone camera operators must also follow all federal and local regulations regarding drone usage and may require specific certifications, such as the FAA Part 107 license in the United States.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a drone camera operator?

To thrive as a Drone Camera Operator, you need proficiency in UAV piloting, aerial photography or videography, and typically a commercial drone license such as the FAA Part 107 certification. Familiarity with drone control systems, GPS navigation, and editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro is important. Attention to detail, spatial awareness, and strong communication skills help operators capture high-quality footage and collaborate with creative teams. These skills ensure safe, legal, and visually compelling aerial content essential for industries like film, real estate, and surveying.

What are common challenges faced by drone camera operators and how can they be addressed?

Drone camera operators often encounter challenges such as unpredictable weather conditions, battery limitations, and airspace restrictions. Adapting to changing environments requires careful pre-flight planning and flexibility during shoots. Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of regulations and ensuring proper equipment maintenance can help minimize disruptions. Collaboration with other team members, such as directors or surveyors, is also essential to capturing the desired footage efficiently and safely.

What is the difference between Drone Camera vs Drone Pilot?

AspectDrone Camera
RoleOperates or installs cameras on drones for capturing images or videos
CredentialsMay require drone operation certification, camera operation skills
Work EnvironmentOn-site at filming locations, construction sites, or outdoor areas
Industry UsageFilmmaking, real estate, inspections, journalism

While a Drone Camera focuses on capturing footage using drones, a Drone Pilot is responsible for flying and controlling the drone itself. Both roles often overlap, but the Drone Pilot handles the operation, while the Drone Camera role emphasizes the imaging aspect. Understanding these distinctions helps in choosing the right career or service provider in the drone industry.

How do you become a drone camera operator?

To become a drone camera operator, you typically need to obtain a remote pilot certificate from the FAA or relevant authority, which involves passing a knowledge test. Skills in photography, videography, and drone operation are essential, and familiarity with drone regulations and safety procedures is important for working professionally in the field.

How much do drone camera operators make?

Drone camera operators typically earn between $15 and $50 per hour, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of the projects. Salaries can range from around $30,000 to over $70,000 annually for full-time positions, especially for those with specialized skills or certifications in aerial cinematography or surveying.

How to become a drone camera?

To become a drone camera operator, you should learn how to operate drones and understand camera equipment and aerial photography techniques. Obtaining a drone pilot certification from relevant authorities and gaining experience with drone flight and camera controls are important steps. Familiarity with safety regulations and good communication skills are also beneficial.
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Drone Camera jobs near you
Infographic showing various Drone Camera job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 10% Physical, and 90% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,781 per year, or $22.5 per hour.

Drone Pilot for AI Training and Data Collection

TSMG

San Francisco, CA

Full-time

Re-posted 25 days ago

Job description

We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled Drone Pilot to assist in the development and training of AI models, specifically in the areas of computer vision, sensor fusion, and autonomous navigation. The ideal candidate will be responsible for collecting high-quality data in real-world environments, contributing to the optimization of AI algorithms that power autonomous systems.

As a Drone Pilot for AI & Autonomous Systems Training, you will operate advanced drones to capture data essential for training and validating AI models that power autonomous navigation, object detection, and decision-making systems.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Pilot drones equipped with high-resolution cameras, LiDAR, thermal imaging, and other sensors to collect diverse datasets used for training AI algorithms, particularly for autonomous navigation, computer vision, and sensor fusion.
  • Capture data in various real-world conditions (e.g., urban, rural, industrial, challenging weather conditions) to expose AI systems to a wide range of environments and scenarios.
  • Execute complex drone missions with precise data collection objectives, such as aerial mapping, 3D reconstruction, obstacle detection, and object tracking.
  • Collaborate closely with AI engineers, machine learning specialists, and autonomous systems teams to ensure data collection aligns with the specific requirements of AI model training.
  • Perform post-flight data quality checks and initial preprocessing to ensure the datasets are ready for use in training AI models.
  • Operate drones in both manual and autonomous modes, supporting AI-driven flight operations where drones rely on onboard algorithms for navigation and decision-making.
  • Adhere to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and local aviation regulations governing drone operations, ensuring the safe and compliant conduct of all drone missions.
  • Oversee the maintenance, calibration, and troubleshooting of drones and onboard sensors to ensure the highest standards of performance and reliability.
Qualifications:
  • Commercial drone pilot certification (FAA Part 107 or equivalent), with additional certifications in safety or advanced drone technologies considered a plus.
  • Proven track record as a drone pilot, with significant experience in collecting data for industrial, research, or AI-focused applications.
  • Expertise in flying drones equipped with advanced sensors such as LiDAR, thermal cameras, RGB cameras, and multispectral sensors.
  • Familiarity with the nuances of autonomous flight, sensor integration, and machine learning workflows, especially those that involve real-time data processing.
  • Strong understanding of how drone-collected data is used for AI training, including its role in training AI for perception, navigation, and decision-making.
  • Experience in using software for flight planning, such as Pix4D, DroneDeploy, or similar platforms, and geospatial data analysis tools.
  • Familiarity with machine learning concepts, especially those related to computer vision (e.g., image segmentation, object detection, and tracking) and autonomous navigation systems.
  • Basic understanding of geospatial data processing, photogrammetry, and 3D reconstruction techniques for AI applications.
  • Strong attention to detail with a commitment to ensuring the highest quality of data collection and analysis.
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work in multidisciplinary teams.
We would be happy to get to know you and your skills better and see how we can support each other's growth.

Please apply and let's meet!
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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