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Temporary Drone Controller Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Temporary Drone Controller information

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$55K

$119.5K

$175.5K

How much do temporary drone controller jobs pay per year?

As of May 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for temporary drone controller in the United States is $119,497.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $97,000.00 and $138,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.
What are the most commonly searched types of Drone Controller jobs? The most popular types of Drone Controller jobs are:
AIRPLANE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR with Security Clearance

AIRPLANE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR with Security Clearance

Department of the Air Force

Panama City, FL

Other

Posted yesterday


Job description

Duties * Instructs airplane pilots/drone controllers on aircraft operations. * Assesses pilots to determine currency and proficiency. * Assists in planning and oversight in addition to other duties related to flying and accomplishment of the unit operational and training mission.

Requirements Conditions of employment * U.S. Citizenship Required * Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov * This position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program * Disclosure of Political Appointments * Advance in hire may be authorized if there is demonstrable proof provided on your resume * Recruitment Incentive may be authorized for this position * Relocation Incentive may be authorized for this position * Leave accrual may be authorized upon request * Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period. * Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

* The incumbent may be required to fly in military and/or commercial aircraft to perform temporary duty assignments (TDY). * The employee must be able to obtain and maintain a top secret clearance. Qualifications Conditions of Employment Continued: * Duties may include stress (both mental and physical), exposure to extreme hot and cold temperatures, gravity forces of 9 Gs, speeds up to Mach 2, altitudes up to 50K feet, and short notification for accomplishment of immediate action items directed by unit supervisors/higher headquarters that must be completed within established deadlines., Pilot flies at low altitudes and speeds.

Combat maneuvers, threat avoidance, and defensive counter tactics must be firmly understood. These assignments entail a marked degree of hazard due to the demands for concentration characteristic of instrument flight, high speed in close proximity flying and the responsibility for training other aircrew members. * Must be a mission-ready, rated aircrew member on flying status in the unit to which assigned.

Must participate in regular and frequent flights as required by the commander. Periodically, as prescribed by regulations, must pass standardization/evaluation examinations which consist of both written tests and actual flight performance to demonstrate flight knowledge and abilities required of the position. Must pass physical examination and meet annual flying requirements.

Loss of flying status, if not correctable within one year, results in the incumbent no longer meeting the conditions for employment in this position. * As necessary, to meet special or essential unscheduled activities, may be required to work an uncommon tour of duty with brief advance notice. Employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and /or holidays and/or overtime.

* This position has been identified as a designated drug testing position. The incumbent of this position may be selected for random drug testing, and is subject to reasonable suspicion testing and safety mishap or accident testing. Position Requirements: In order to qualify, you must meet the requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, .

Note: Candidates establishing eligibility based on military flight experience must provide official orders, forms, or logbooks showing their status as a rated military pilot, flight instructor, or flight examiner, as appropriate. Other certificates that meet or exceed the requirements of the Commercial Pilot Certificate are also acceptable, e.g., an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate. Minimum Eligibility Requirements Minimum eligibility requirements for positions in this occupation are based on possession of the appropriate Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pilot certificates and/or appropriate military ratings, meeting the applicable flight hour requirements, and possession of the knowledge and skills required for the positions.

AND Certificates and Ratings: For all grade levels and specializations, candidates must possess a current Commercial Pilot Certificate or the appropriate military rating; both meet the intent of the requirement. If an agency decides, for example, not to accept the military rating, the rationale for the decision should be based upon the requirements of the position and should be thoroughly described in agency operating material. For flight instructor positions, the FAA Flight Instructor Certificate or the military equivalent rating is also required.

The pilot certificate must include the rating(s) appropriate to the work of the position to be filled. For example, a position that involves flying a multi-engine airplane to various destinations under instrument flight rules would require the Commercial Pilot Certificate with the airplane, multi-engine, and instrument ratings or appropriate U.S. military ratings.

Positions that require flying or instructing in flying both airplanes and helicopters require a rating in both categories. Only those ratings necessary to perform the work are required. Flight Experience: Candidates must demonstrate possession of the knowledge and skills required for the work by meeting certain minimum flight hour requirements, including recency of flight experience.

The categories in which candidates are required to demonstrate proficiency relate to (1) the general knowledge and skills to pilot the aircraft, and (2) the specific knowledge and skills related to the particular position being filled. Only that flight experience that is directly related to the work of the position is required for purposes of establishing minimum eligibility. Minimum Flight Hour Requirements: The following flight hour requirements apply to all applicants: Total Flight Time -- Flight time as pilot-in-command or copilot in aircraft of any weight or category is creditable for this requirement.

For in-service placements actions, up to one-fourth of the total flight hours may by waived for candidates who have demonstrated possession of the knowledge and skills needed to perform the work, provided: * They hold the certificates and ratings required; * They have acquired the pilot-in-command hours and flight hours in other categories essential to performance of the work; * They meet the requirements in terms of level and quality of experience; and * Their flying history indicates they are qualified for the position. Pilot-In-Command -- Only flight hours acquired as pilot-in-command are creditable. Night Flying -- For in-service placement actions at the GS-11 level and above, 25 hours may be waived if the candidate demonstrates the ability to perform the work.

Instrument -- At the GS-11 level and above, at least 10 of the required hours must have been logged in actual instrument weather. The balance may have been acquired in a flight simulator or as other types of instrument flight time, e.g., hood instrument. Instructor Time -- Must be related to the nature of the instruction work and the category of aircraft operated (i.e., airplane or helicopter) in the position to be filled.

If the purpose of the position is to provide instruction in instrument flight techniques, one-half of the flight time must have involved instrument instruction in either airplanes or helicopters. Flight Hour Requirements: GS-11 and Above (Hours): * Total Flight Time - 1500 hours * Pilot-In-Command - 250 hours * Night Flying - 75 hours * Flying Time, Last 12 months - 100 hours * Multi-engine Airplane - 500 hours * Instrument - 75 hours * Instructor Time - 500 Instructor hours Note: You must submit proof of Flight Hours Medical Requirements: At the time of initial appointment, candidates for all pilot positions must possess a current first or second-class medical certificate in accordance with FAA regulations; both meet the intent of the requirement. If an agency decides, for example, not to accept the second-class medical certificate, the rationale for the decision should be based upon the requirements of the position and should be thoroughly described in agency operating material.

Staff specialists not involved in the operation of aircraft need only have a medical examination indicating that they are able to perform the duties of the position to be filled. For flight test pilots, airspace system inspection pilots, and Customs pilots, all candidates must possess a current first-class medical certificate at the time of appointment. FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in- grade requirements to be considered eligible.

One year at the GS-12 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-13 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): See Education section for KSAs. Education KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: * Knowledge and skill in the application of rated aviator expertise as a pilot. Possess a current Commercial Pilot Certificate (airplane, multi-engine land) or Airline Transport Pilot Certificate (airplane, multi-engine land) or the appropriate military rating, a Class 2 FAA medical certificate.

Have logged a minimum of 1,150 hours of fighter time as aircraft commander (pilot-in-command) for assignment to the FSAT or 1,500 hours of multiengine time for assignment to the E-9A, 500 hours of instructor time and h