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Drone Operations Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

GIS Analyst

Buffalo, MN · On-site

$33.97 - $48.23/hr

FAA 107 Certification for drone operation within one year of employment. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Knowledge of, and skills in, GIS application development and customization as well as ...

Sergeant

Faribault, MN

$43.91 - $61.47/hr

... and Investigation Unit, Drone Training and Water Patrol. Examples of Duties Supervise all ... operation of the Office. Recommends purchases and maintenance of equipment. Assists with patrol ...

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Drone Operations information

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$11

$24

$49

How much do drone operations jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for drone operations in Minnesota is $24.57, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.45 and $27.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are drone operations?

Drone operations refer to the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for various tasks such as aerial photography, surveying, inspection, mapping, delivery, and surveillance. These operations involve planning flight paths, piloting drones, ensuring compliance with regulations, and collecting or analyzing data captured by the drone. Drone operators may work in industries like agriculture, construction, real estate, public safety, and logistics, depending on the mission and type of drone used. Safety, accuracy, and adherence to legal requirements are key aspects of successful drone operations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a drone operations specialist?

To thrive as a Drone Operations Specialist, you need strong piloting skills, a solid understanding of aviation regulations, and often a Remote Pilot Certificate (Part 107) from the FAA. Familiarity with flight planning software, GPS navigation systems, and various drone platforms is typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication help you manage missions safely and collaborate with team members. These skills ensure safe, compliant, and efficient drone operations across a range of industries.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in drone operations, and how can they be addressed?

Drone operations professionals frequently encounter challenges such as changing weather conditions, regulatory compliance, and maintaining equipment reliability. Adapting flight plans to sudden weather shifts and staying updated on evolving FAA regulations are essential for safe and legal operation. Additionally, effective pre- and post-flight maintenance routines help minimize technical issues. Collaborating closely with team members, such as airspace coordinators and data analysts, ensures that missions are completed efficiently and safely.

What is the difference between Drone Operations vs Drone Pilots?

AspectDrone OperationsDrone Pilots
CertificationsFAA Part 107 certification, safety trainingFAA Part 107 certification, flight training
Work EnvironmentTeam coordination, planning, and managementFlying drones, on-site or remote
Employer & Industry UsageMedia, agriculture, construction, inspectionFilming, surveying, inspection

Drone Operations involves managing drone missions, coordinating teams, and planning flights, often requiring additional project management skills. Drone Pilots focus primarily on flying drones and capturing footage or data. While both roles require FAA Part 107 certification, Drone Operations emphasizes coordination and planning, whereas Drone Pilots concentrate on piloting skills and flight execution.

Are drone operations in high demand?

Drone operations professionals are experiencing increasing demand across industries such as agriculture, construction, and film production due to the growing use of unmanned aerial vehicles. Skills in piloting, maintenance, and obtaining relevant certifications can improve job prospects as the industry expands.

How do you become a drone operations?

To become a drone operator, you typically need to obtain a remote pilot certificate from the relevant aviation authority, which involves passing a knowledge test. Additionally, gaining experience with drone flight, understanding safety regulations, and mastering drone controls and maintenance are important steps in the process.

Is a drone operations a good career?

Drone operations is a growing field that involves piloting and managing unmanned aerial vehicles for various industries such as photography, surveying, and inspection. It requires technical skills, certifications, and knowledge of safety regulations, making it a viable career option with increasing demand. Job prospects depend on industry growth and regional regulations.

What do drone operations get paid?

Drone operators typically earn between $15 and $30 per hour, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of the tasks. Salaries can range from around $35,000 to over $70,000 annually for full-time positions, especially for those with certifications and specialized skills in aerial photography, surveying, or inspection. Pay may also vary based on whether the work is freelance or employed by a company.

What are the most commonly searched types of Drone Operations jobs in Minnesota?

The most popular types of Drone Operations jobs in Minnesota are:

What are popular job titles related to Drone Operations jobs in Minnesota?

For Drone Operations jobs in Minnesota, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Drone Operations jobs in Minnesota look for?

The top searched job categories for Drone Operations jobs in Minnesota are:

What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Drone Operations jobs?

Cities in Minnesota with the most Drone Operations job openings:

Infographic showing various Drone Operations job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,097 per year, or $24.6 per hour.

GIS Analyst

Wright County

Buffalo, MN • On-site

$33.97 - $48.23/hr

Full-time

Posted 25 days ago


Job description

General Definition of Work Performs intermediate skilled technical work developing Geographic Information System (GIS) solutions and managing special projects. Work is performed under the general direction of the GIS Coordinator. Oversight is exercised over Seasonal Staff.

Hiring pay range is $33.97/hr. - $38.05/hr. depending on qualifications and direct work experience

Please note this position is in-office work setting. Essential Functions To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Develops GIS solutions and manages special projects consulting with County departments to plan and design GIS solutions to address business needs and improve efficiency; and with GIS staff and vendors to develop, deploy, and maintain GIS solutions based on requirements gathered to address a variety of business problems. Assists in developing and implementing workflow processes, procedural checklists, procedural manuals, and business rules for the development, maintenance, implementation, and distribution of County-wide GIS data and web services; utilizes opportunities to educate County and City customers as well as the public about GIS.

Plans, designs, develops, implements, and maintains the County's Geographic Information System (GIS) web services, applications, and GIS solutions that leverage custom or out of the box GIS programming tools to meet business needs. Develops, enhances, analyzes, maintains, supports, and troubleshoots GIS databases, applications, and web services using various GIS programming tools. Creates and maintains a wide variety of County GIS datasets, with an emphasis in both parcel fabric and NG911 address data in compliance with the Next Generate 911 initiative.

Performs advanced spatial analysis to create informative products from the geographic information system and related software. Applies photogrammetric, and spatial analysis techniques to provide analytical mapping support for County departments, the public and community organizations; applies cartographic techniques to create maps and interactive map layers for use by County agencies, community organizations, and the public. Provides advanced technical support services and training to GIS users and project teams.

Educates the public, board members, and internal staff on the uses GIS products. Serves as a Team Leader, assigning work to seasonal staff and provides training and work direction. Performs other duties and activities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications & Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Education and Experience Bachelor's degree in Geographic Information System (GIS), geography, computer science, or related field, and two years of experience in Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Special Requirements A valid driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility is also required upon hire. FAA 107 Certification for drone operation within one year of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Knowledge of, and skills in, GIS application development and customization as well as detailed understanding of techniques; knowledge of the principles, practices, methods and techniques used in GIS including national mapping standards (PLSS, USNG, NENA, NG911, etc.); ability to use GIS to see and model complex relationships and patterns to more intelligently respond; ability to embrace new and innovative ways to discover, and share geospatial data through online portals and web services; promote awareness of GIS technology, education and technical training; knowledge of coordinate systems, map projections, spatial topology, address geocoding, and cartographic methods; knowledge of public land surveying system and ability to read and decipher legal descriptions; knowledge of, or ability to learn, County government work flows and processes; verbal and written communication skills sufficient to effectively present information and respond to questions from a wide variety of audiences; reading comprehension skills sufficient to understand and interpret technical documents, records, and maps; interpersonal skills sufficient to exchange and or convey information, receive work direction, and maintain effective working relationships; ability to perform data entry into various databases; ability to use geospatial techniques to implement data standards and operational procedures to increase efficiency; ability to be creative and analytical to conceptualize, analyze, manipulate, extract, and display geospatial data; ability to produce and present statistical and spatial data analysis; ability to manage projects and provide technical guidance for system, database and application design; ability to analyze and solve complex problems encountered with computer operations; ability to provide guidance, training, and technical assistance to GIS end users ability to effectively translate technical terminology and concepts in terms understandable to end users; ability to work independently or within a team to establish and maintain effective relationships with co-workers, other departments, agencies, consultants, and local, State, and Federal governments; ability to learn on the job and expand technical knowledge as needed; ability to pay attention to detail and effectively organize time and anticipate, plan and successfully respond to changing circumstances; ability to perform all job duties in compliance with safety guidelines and with an ongoing awareness of safety practices; ability to communicate courteously and web applications, web services, and geoprocessing tools knowledge of ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Enterprise, Experience Builder, ArcGIS Server, Survey123, Field Map, and Dashboard creation, knowledge of scripting languages such as python, arcade, HTML and java; knowledge of model building, systems analysis, software testing, software maintenance, and software operations; knowledge of Parcel Fabric for ArcGIS Pro; knowledge of databases including Microsoft SQL Server or comparable RDBMS and ESRI geodatabases; knowledge of UAV operations, regulations, and data collection; knowledge of, and skills in, geodatabase design, geodatabase management, and geodatabase optimization professionally while maintaining positive working relationships with others when carrying out all job functions. Physical Requirements This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting and using hands to finger, handle or feel, frequently requires speaking or hearing and occasionally requires standing, walking, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling and lifting; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work occasionally requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).