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Drone Operator Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Scout AI

Drone Operator

Paso Robles, CA

$18.25 - $20.25/hr

The Role We're hiring a Drone Operator to join our Mission Operations team at our test site in Paso Robles, CA. You'll pilot and supervise uncrewed aerial systems during test flights, autonomy trials ...

Centraprise

Drone Operator / UAV Pilot

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Drone Operator / UAV Pilot - FAA Part 107 Certified Location: Mountain View, CA; Denver, CO; Los Angeles, CA; San Francisco, CA; San Diego, CA; Seattle, WA; Miami, FL; Philadelphia, PA; Phoenix, AZ;

Centraprise

Drone Operator/ UAV Pilot

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Drone Operator/ UAV Pilot Type: Full-time Work Location: * Mountain View, CA * Los Angeles, CA * San Francisco, CA * San Diego, CA * Seattle, WA Required Qualifications Valid Driver's License Own ...

Scout AI

Mission Operator - UAV

Paso Robles, CA · On-site

$24.25 - $29.75/hr

You'll lead the drone operator team, own the flight test pipeline, and run the live customer demonstrations to ensure systems are prepared for both internal testing and external deployment. You'll ...

TSMG

Drone Pilot

San Francisco, CA

Proven experience operating drones in various settings. * Strong technical knowledge of drone systems and software (e.g., mapping and modeling software). * Excellent spatial awareness and attention ...

TSMG

Drone Pilot

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Proven experience operating drones in various settings. * Strong technical knowledge of drone systems and software (e.g., mapping and modeling software). * Excellent spatial awareness and attention ...

Scout AI

Drone Technician

Sunnyvale, CA

Fury enables human operators to command fleets of robots through natural language, and empowers ... We're hiring a Drone Technician to add bandwidth to that build. You'll spend most of your time ...

Scout AI

Drone Technician

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$50K - $70K/yr

Fury enables human operators to command fleets of robots through natural language, and empowers ... We're hiring a Drone Technician to add bandwidth to that build. You'll spend most of your time ...

Kelly Services

Flight Test Operator

Bay Point, CA · On-site

UAS Flight Test Operator (I & II), Labs Location: Bay Point, CA for first 2-3 months then Petaluma ... Execute structured drone test flights in both manual and autonomous modes, adjusting flight ...

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All JobsDrone Operator JobsDrone Operator Jobs in California

Drone Operator information

See California salary details

$10

$22

$36

How much do drone operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for drone operator in California is $22.74, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.79 and $21.59 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a drone operator?

Drone operators are professionals who pilot unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, for various purposes such as aerial photography, surveying, inspections, mapping, agriculture, and delivery services. They are responsible for planning flights, operating the drone safely, capturing data or images, and maintaining equipment. Drone operators must comply with aviation regulations, ensure safe flight paths, and often analyze the data collected during their missions. The job requires technical skills, attention to detail, and sometimes certification depending on the country and type of operation.

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

To thrive as a Drone Operator, you need strong spatial awareness, hand-eye coordination, and a solid understanding of aviation regulations, often supported by a Remote Pilot Certificate (Part 107) from the FAA. Familiarity with drone flight control software, GPS systems, and camera operation is crucial for effective and safe operations. Attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and effective communication set standout operators apart, especially when working in teams or with clients. These skills ensure safe, compliant, and high-quality drone operations across diverse industries such as surveying, videography, and inspection.

What are some common challenges faced by drone operators during field operations?

Drone operators often face challenges such as adapting to changing weather conditions, maintaining compliance with local aviation regulations, and troubleshooting technical issues with equipment in the field. Additionally, they may need to coordinate closely with team members or clients on-site to ensure safety and meet project objectives. Effective communication and thorough pre-flight planning are essential to mitigate risks and complete missions successfully.

What is the difference between Drone Operator vs Drone Pilot?

AspectDrone OperatorDrone Pilot
CertificationsFAA Part 107 certificationFAA Part 107 certification
Work EnvironmentIndoor/outdoor, various industriesOutdoor, primarily flight operations
Employer & IndustryMedia, agriculture, construction, inspectionFilmmaking, surveying, inspection
Common Search IntentOperational roles, job descriptionsFlying, piloting, flight skills

While both Drone Operators and Drone Pilots require FAA Part 107 certification and often work in similar environments, Drone Operators typically focus on managing drone operations, data collection, and payload handling. Drone Pilots primarily focus on flying the drone, ensuring safe and precise flight. The roles often overlap, but Drone Operators may handle more of the operational planning and data processing, whereas Drone Pilots concentrate on the actual flight execution.

Do drone operators make money?

Drone operators can earn varying incomes depending on their experience, location, and the industry they work in. They often get paid per project, hourly, or through contracts, with salaries ranging from entry-level to experienced professionals earning higher wages. Certification and skills in operating different drone types can also influence earning potential.

How do you become a drone operator?

To become a 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, gaining experience with drone flight, understanding safety regulations, and having technical skills with drone equipment are important for the role.

Is there a demand for drone operators?

The demand for drone operators is growing across industries such as agriculture, construction, filmmaking, and inspection services. Employers seek certified operators skilled in flight safety, navigation, and data collection, with job opportunities increasing as drone technology becomes more integrated into various sectors.

What are the most commonly searched types of Drone Operator jobs in California?

The most popular types of Drone Operator jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Drone Operator jobs in California?

For Drone Operator jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Drone Operator jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Drone Operator jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Drone Operator jobs?

Cities in California with the most Drone Operator job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Drone Operator jobs in CA?

For Drone Operator jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Drone Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Drone Operator job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 46% Full Time, 52% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,303 per year, or $22.7 per hour.

Drone Operator

Scout AI

Paso Robles, CA

$18.25 - $20.25/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 4 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Pilot uncrewed aerial systems manually and supervise autonomous flight, intervening safely when needed

  • Plan, set up, and execute drone flight operations in support of autonomy testing and mission rehearsals

  • Conduct pre-flight inspections, perform routine maintenance, and troubleshoot hardware and payload issues in the field

Job description

The future of defense will be decided by those who field intelligent machines at scale. At Scout AI, we're developing Fury, the first robotic foundation model for defense, to give U.S. forces overwhelming, adaptable, and autonomous power across every domain. Fury enables human operators to command fleets of robots through natural language, and empowers those machines to sense, decide, and act together as one. This mission will ask everything of us: urgency, precision, and relentless work.

The Role
We're hiring a Drone Operator to join our Mission Operations team at our test site in Paso Robles, CA. You'll pilot and supervise uncrewed aerial systems during test flights, autonomy trials, and live mission rehearsals - operating both manually and in supervised-autonomy modes. This is a hands-on, field-based role for someone who is comfortable in the air, meticulous about safety, and energized by working at the frontier of defense robotics.

Responsibilities

  • Plan, set up, and execute drone flight operations in support of autonomy testing and mission rehearsals
  • Pilot uncrewed aerial systems manually and supervise autonomous flight, intervening safely when needed
  • Conduct pre-flight inspections, perform routine maintenance, and troubleshoot hardware and payload issues in the field
  • Capture, log, and organize flight data, telemetry, and observations to feed our model training and engineering teams
  • Enforce airspace, range, and safety protocols, and help maintain compliance with FAA and site regulations
  • Provide clear, structured feedback to engineers on system performance, failure modes, and edge cases
  • Support field deployments, including equipment transport, staging, and recovery

Qualifications

  • Demonstrated experience operating drones / uncrewed aerial systems (commercial, military, or equivalent)
  • FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, or the ability to obtain one prior to start
  • Strong situational awareness, sound judgment under pressure, and an uncompromising commitment to safety
  • Comfort working outdoors in varied conditions at a test range, with the ability to lift and transport equipment
  • Mechanical aptitude and basic troubleshooting skills with hardware, batteries, and payloads
  • Clear communicator who can document observations and collaborate closely with engineers
  • Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export controlled information or facilities
  • Passion about defense of the United States and its allies
  • May be expected to obtain and hold a U.S. Top Secret security clearance

Why Join Scout

  • Work on the world's most important frontier, ensuring U.S. dominance in the age of intelligent machines
  • Be a core part of a team building the first defense-specific robotic foundation model
  • Collaborate with some of the top engineers in autonomy, AI, and national security
  • Help define the future of intelligent defense systems
  • Backed by Draper Associates, Booz Allen Ventures, and other top investors

Apply