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Temporary Drone Pilot Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Engineer, State Estimation (R5165)

Boston, MA · On-site

$113K - $155K/yr

Its AI pilot, Hivemind, has flown a fighter jet (F-16), a vertical takeoff and landing drone (X-BAT ... Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment ...

Senior Engineer, State Estimation (R5165)

Dallas, TX · On-site

$103K - $142K/yr

Its AI pilot, Hivemind, has flown a fighter jet (F-16), a vertical takeoff and landing drone (X-BAT ... Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment ...

Survey Data Technician

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site

$25 - $36.23/hr

Candidates with Remote Sensing experience such as SUAV/Drone Part 107 Pilots, Laser Scanning and/or ... temporary). TRC offers jurisdiction specific benefit packages for International and Puerto Rico ...

Survey Data Technician

Houston, TX · On-site

$20 - $35/hr

Candidates with Remote Sensing experience such as SUAV/Drone Part 107 Pilots, Laser Scanning and/or ... temporary). TRC offers jurisdiction specific benefit packages for International and Puerto Rico ...

Photojournalist

Seattle, WA · On-site

$35.86 - $40.76/hr

FAA Part 107 Pilot's license with experience operating a drone for newsgathering * Proficiency with ... Our 401(k) program offers full, part-time and temporary employees the opportunity to contribute ...

Showing results 21-38

Temporary Drone Pilot information

See salary details

$49.5K

$130.9K

$201K

How much do temporary drone pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for temporary drone pilot in the United States is $130,916.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $100,000.00 and $155,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Temporary Drone Pilot vs Part-Time Drone Operator?

AspectTemporary Drone PilotPart-Time Drone Operator
CredentialsFAA drone certification, basic piloting skillsFAA drone certification, basic piloting skills
Work EnvironmentOn-site, project-based, short-term assignmentsOn-site or remote, flexible hours, ongoing or sporadic work
Employer & Industry UsageConstruction, film, real estate, agricultureMedia, inspections, events, surveying

Both roles require FAA drone certification and similar piloting skills. Temporary Drone Pilots typically work on short-term projects in specific industries, while Part-Time Drone Operators often have flexible schedules and may work across various sectors. The main difference lies in the employment duration and scheduling flexibility.

How much do temporary drone pilots earn?

Temporary drone pilots typically earn between $15 and $30 per hour, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of the tasks. Pay rates can vary based on the industry, such as real estate, photography, or surveying, and may include project-based or hourly compensation.

Is there a demand for temporary drone pilots?

There is growing demand for temporary drone pilots across industries such as construction, agriculture, real estate, and media production. Employers often seek pilots with certifications like Part 107 and experience with specific drone models, especially for short-term projects or seasonal work.
More about Temporary Drone Pilot jobs

What cities are hiring for Temporary Drone Pilot jobs?

Cities with the most Temporary Drone Pilot job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Drone Pilot jobs?

The most popular types of Drone Pilot jobs are:

What states have the most Temporary Drone Pilot jobs?

States with the most job openings for Temporary Drone Pilot jobs include:

Infographic showing various Temporary Drone Pilot job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,916 per year, or $62.9 per hour.

Research Assistant/Staff

University of New Mexico

Albuquerque, NM • On-site

$20/hr

Part-time

Retirement

Re-posted 23 days ago


University Of New Mexico rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 56 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

127th of 627 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Research Assistant/Staff
Requisition ID
req29937
Working Title
Research Assistant/Staff
Position Grade
06
Position Summary
Formally established in 2020, the Center for the Advancement of Spatial Informatics Research and Education (ASPIRE) researches methods for the capture, analysis, and representation of spatial data characterizing physical and social phenomena, commonly referred to as Geographic Information Science (GIScience). GIScience is an inherently integrative field of study, relying on virtually all engineering fields for technological and theoretical advancements, and having applications in virtually all sciences.
ASPIRE brings together faculty with expertise and cutting-edge research portfolios in a broad range of GIScience sub-fields, including spatial modeling, geo-visualization, remote sensing, and spatial statistics.
The Research Assistant will conduct LiDar Drone flights as a certified 107 remote pilot and will process data and produce reports for ASPIRE projects and the service cost center.
See the Position Description for additional information.
Conditions of Employment
Minimum Qualifications
High school diploma or GED; at least 1 year of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities which may include practicum.
Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree
  • Certified 107 remote pilot license
  • GIS/GPS mapping application experience
  • Computer programming, data analysis, and software skills.

Additional Requirements
Campus
Main - Albuquerque, NM
Department
A & S Interdisciplinary Programs (286A)
Employment Type
Staff
Staff Type
Temporary - Part-Time
Term End Date
Status
Non-Exempt
Pay
Hourly: $20.00
Benefits Eligible
No Benefits
ERB Statement
As a condition of employment, eligible employees working greater than .25 FTE as determined by the New Mexico Education Retirement Act must make mandatory retirement contributions. For more information, review the Benefits Eligibility at a Glance grid.
Background Check Required
No
For Best Consideration Date
6/27/2024
Eligible for Remote Work
No
Eligible for Remote Work Statement
Application Instructions
Only applications submitted through the official UNMJobs site will be accepted. If you are viewing this job advertisement on a 3rd party site, please visit UNMJobs to submit an application.
Attach your current resume/application.
Positions posted with a Staff Type of Regular or Term are eligible for the Veteran Preference Program. See the Veteran Preference Program webpage for additional details.
The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.
The University of New Mexico requires all regular staff positions successfully pass a pre-employment background check. This may include, but is not limited to, a criminal history background check, New Mexico Department of Health fingerprint screening, New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department fingerprint screening, verification of education credentials, and/or verification of prior employment. For more information about background checks, visit https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3280.html. Refer to https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3200.html for a definition of Regular Staff.

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