With commercial drone use valued over $127B, there are several career opportunities for drone pilots across the world. As more and more industries recognize the positive impact of drones and implement them in their regular operations, the need for commercial pilots continues to rise.
Thinking about a career in the drone industry? If paying tens of thousands of dollars and spending several years to obtain a college degree isn’t appealing, becoming a commercial drone pilot may be your perfect solution. Here are the top 3 questions to consider when deciding if this path is for you:
1. What industries are regularly using drones?
According to CB Insights, these are the top industries implementing the use of drones:
- Defense
- Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief
- Disease Control
- Agriculture
- Maritime
- Energy
- Construction Planning
- Insurance
- Urban Planning
- Airlines
- Internet
- Tourism and Hospitality
- Sports
- Advertising
- Manufacturing and Inventory Management
- Fitness
- Journalism and News Coverage
- Gaming
- Education
- Emergency Response
- Conservation
- Healthcare
- Weather Forecasting
- Waste Management
- Mining
- Infrastructure Development
- Realty
- Personal Transportation
- Telecommunications
- Outdoors
- Live Entertainment
- Hollywood
- Retail
- Underground Economies and Fighting Crime
- Food Service
- Air Travel
- Space
- Security
2. What is the typical salary of a drone pilot?
Like any career, salary is dependent upon many different aspects, such as skill level, experience, location, etc. However, according to PayScale.com, a new drone pilot (one with less than a year of experience) can expect to make around $21.00 per hour. As CBS News reported, the highest paid demographic of recent college graduates earns about $22.00 per hour, while those with student loan owe an average of $48,000.00.
3. How do I become a commercial drone pilot?
Great question! Becoming a commercial drone pilot is quite simple to do, and it takes significantly less time to navigate than most career paths. The process begins with an exam called the FAA Part 107, which all commercial drone pilots must pass before they can take flight. Luckily, there is a school that you can attend online and learn everything you need to know to not only pass this exam, but excel in your commercial drone career. To learn more, visit TopDroneSchool.com!
