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Drone Operator Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Entry Level Police Officer

Portland, OR · On-site

$86K - $107K/yr

... Drone Operator, Police Motorcycle, Detective, School Resource Officer, Crisis Negotiations, TNT (Tactical Negotiations Team), Commercial Crimes Unit, Drug Investigations and more. Minimum ...

Entry Level Police Officer

Tigard, OR · On-site

$86K - $107K/yr

... Drone Operator, Police Motorcycle, Detective, School Resource Officer, Crisis Negotiations, TNT (Tactical Negotiations Team), Commercial Crimes Unit, Drug Investigations and more. Minimum ...

Drone Operator information

See Portland, OR salary details

$11

$24

$39

How much do drone operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for drone operator in Portland, OR is $24.37, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.09 and $23.12 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 popular job titles related to Drone Operator jobs in Portland, OR?

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

What job categories do people searching Drone Operator jobs in Portland, OR look for?

The top searched job categories for Drone Operator jobs in Portland, OR are:

What cities near Portland, OR are hiring for Drone Operator jobs?

Cities near Portland, OR with the most Drone Operator job openings:

Infographic showing various Drone Operator job openings in Portland, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 51% Full Time, 47% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,699 per year, or $24.4 per hour.

Entry Level Police Officer

City of Tigard

Portland, OR • On-site

$86K - $107K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Respond to a variety of radio calls including theft, domestic disturbances, welfare checks, and CPR calls.

  • Investigate crashes, deaths, and criminal complaints, and make arrests or issue citations when required.

  • Patrol roads, highways, businesses, and residential areas of the City, enforce applicable laws, and prepare reports.


Job description

Overview This is an information post outlining the hiring process for an Entry Level Police Officer with the Tigard Police Department. Please read below for more information about our application and testing process, or visit Join Tigard Police. Learn more about the Tigard Police Department by watching our latest video and checking out our YouTube channel.

Examples of Duties Tigard Police Officers perform a wide range of law enforcement and crime prevention work, including patrol and investigation. Sworn officers enforce state and local laws, regulations and ordinances and perform a variety of duties including, but not limited to, the following: Responds to a variety of radio calls including theft, domestic disturbances, welfare checks and CPR calls. Investigates crashes, deaths, and criminal complaints.

Makes arrests and issues citations when required. Patrols roads, highways, businesses and residential areas of the City. Enforces applicable criminal and traffic laws.

Prepares case records and reports. Participates in the prosecution of cases in court. Serves criminal warrants, applicable court orders, and subpoenas.

Accomplishes the Police Department Mission to "To protect and serve all who live, play and work in Tigard." The Tigard Police Department provides a variety of career possibilities for Police Officers in specialty assignment positions including K9 handler, Drone Operator, Police Motorcycle, Detective, School Resource Officer, Crisis Negotiations, TNT (Tactical Negotiations Team), Commercial Crimes Unit, Drug Investigations and more. Minimum Qualifications EDUCATION AND TRAINING: Completion of high school or GED One (1) year of experience working with the public Some college-level coursework and/or volunteer law enforcement experience desirable REQUIREMENTS: Must be a US citizen Must be 21 years or older at time of hire Possess a valid Oregon/Washington driver's license Must be legally authorized and physically able to carry a firearm Ability to work all shifts, including swing, nights, weekends, holidays on a rotating basis Must be able to read and write the English language Bi-lingual skills (English/Spanish) preferred Applicants must have the ability to learn and apply laws, statutes, regulations, ordinances and procedures; ability to give credible testimony in a court of law; ability to operate a motor vehicle and assigned equipment skillfully, safely and in conformance with applicable laws and department policies; ability to prepare accurate, concise, informative and grammatically correct reports; ability to understand and act upon complex oral and written instructions; ability to deal courteously and firmly with the public, other agencies and all levels of City staff. Supplemental Information TESTING PROCESS: The City of Tigard partners with the National Test Network (NTN) to administer a portion of the entry level police officer testing (this requirement is waived for applicants who hold a four-year bachelor's degree; please email us to waive this requirement)

In-person and remote testing options are available. A list of frequently asked questions and answers are available here. Please be aware there is a fee associated with taking this test.

Proctored tests at alternative sites (NTN Testing Centers) are available upon request. For additional information, interested candidates are encouraged to call 855-821-3761. Sign Up for Testing on the National Testing Network website: Go to National Testing Network Law Enforcement Positions.

Scroll to Tigard Police Department and check the box to select our agency, hit continue. Confirm you meet the requirements, hit continue. Select your testing location (in-person or virtual), hit continue and follow the additional instructions.

Please note: if you don't have an account with NTN you will need to create one. APPLICATION PROCESS: Applicants who pass the reading, writing and video portions of the NTN test with a score of at least 70% each will be invited to submit a job application (this requirement is waived for applicants who hold a four-year bachelor's degree; please email us to waive this requirement). An email with an internal link to the Entry Level Police Officer position will be sent once verified NTN scores are received.

HIRING PROCESS: Take the NTN test (must pass with at least 70%) or submit a degree waiver via email Candidates will receive an email to schedule an in-person panel interview called an Oral Board Take a Pre-Offer Suitability Evaluation (test proctored at Tigard Police Department) Pass an Oregon Physical Agility Test (ORPAT) (see details below) Background Investigation (detailed and time-intensive process that can take weeks to months to complete) Interview with the Chief of Police Upon a conditional job offer, you will be required to undergo: Psychological Evaluation Medical Examination Drug Test OREGON PHYSICAL ABILITIES TEST (ORPAT): The Tigard Police Department will request proof of passing the ORPAT within the last 12 months prior to entering the background process. We use the ORPAT as a screening tool to help select the most qualified applicants to continue in our application process for police officer positions. Applicants may provide ORPAT scores from other agencies or testing companies, however, we require all the standards set by the DPSST (obstacle course, push pull complex, dummy drag).

Please watch the ORPAT video from DPSST for more information. If you have not yet completed the ORPAT, several local testing options are available. The Tigard Police Department hosts ORPAT testing days on occasion.

UNION RESPRESENTION: TPOA (Tigard Police Officers' Association)