How Much Money Does a Professional Drone Pilot Make?

In this video, we'll answer one of the most common questions we get — how much money does a professional drone pilot actually make, and how can I go about finding my own paying clients?

🎬 Jump to Section
0:00​ B-Roll Footage & Introduction
0:38​ What kind of work are drone pilots hired to do?
1:04​ How should I position myself as a drone pilot?
2:30​ How much can drone pilots actually make?
3:45​ Greg's background and thoughts about pricing & packaging
4:43​ How can I find drone pilot jobs?
9:54 Where to put your drone registration number?

✳️ UAV Coach provides industry-leading training, education, and news for professionals and hobbyists in the drone industry. We offer online and in-person training — over 35,000 people have used our flagship training course, Drone Pilot Ground School, to pass the FAA Part 107 remote pilot certification exam. And we've delivered hands-on flight training to more than 1,000+ new drone pilots. Our mission is to help push the drone industry forward by sharing years of knowledge to help drone pilots be safe and smart operators.

[TheDr.OneShow]

One thing I did not hear you mention is utility work for UAS. I’ve been a full-time drone pilot for 6 years and I will continue to champion the utility industry (specifically energy) as the most profitable sector.

[skelligringphotographyandw]

My pricing often depends on what the client can afford, and (sometimes) what they expect to pay, although, this is frequently much lower than I want to charge. If the client is offering me the opportunity to retain copyright (and thus have further use) of photos or video of unusual subject matter, I may agree on a low fee. For example, I recently did a video job for free and resulting still images of a normally inaccessible location are selling to magazines for around $500 per use. On the other hand, I have an upcoming job that will pay $2000 for 3 videos, that should take 4 days to complete - one day shooting and 3 days post processing.

[Mr_RHO]

I m from Chennai, India ... I like the way how he doesn't eat ur time and keep it point to point, cut to chase 👍🏻👍🏻 looking for more contents ❤️ Very useful 👍🏻

[titusnixon]

Yea I've been certified part 107 pilot for three years. I must say finding work was not as easy as I thought but after a year of trial and error it paid off now I'm doing pretty much as your video stated.

[Cirillocamera]

Thank you for the great info! I figured I would share my experience- In the tv/film industry I charge between $1200-$2000 per day which includes the rental of my drone equipment. I charge an additional $250 if the client needs an increase in liability insurance. I charge $50-$75/hr to edit my work but it is rare that I will do that as it is more common that my media will be offloaded to a hard drive and handled by a production company post department. I based my rates on other operators in my area from talking amongst ourselves and observing the market

[dronesouth]

I started out just walking onto car dealership lots about 10 years ago and offering to take drone videos. Then I would go back every year and reshoot. That turned into working with drag racing tracks for events and then into full time with NASCAR for Hendrick and Axalta. Got my Part 107 the first day the test was available. It got so competitive that I pretty much got out of drone work altogether. I now do documentaries on accidents and do more camera work with a little drone thrown in when needed. I think it really depends on your drive to get more work. I get calls for work all the time, but I am so busy now that I just decline. My experience is that most people that want a drone guy don't want to pay what my time is worth.

[Kenny-Ross]

This was EXCELLENT! Thank you so much! Well-presented and very detailed. I'm studying now for the exam. Looking to take it some time next month. Let's see what happens.

[raysiposs]

I appreciate your information, but it is important to consider your location. Here in southern California, those figures quoted are an express train to failure. When average salaries for software engineers is $250K+ and the prices of houses are $700K+, you won't survive long charging rates like that. Look at what ALL of your costs are, including your partner Uncle Sam and the state. Do not be afraid to charge top dollar. You may be having fun flying in a glamorous industry, but at the end of the day, this is a BUSINESS, and your services need to reflect that "perceived value". As another comment above stated, the race to the bottom is a common one that happens quickly. Also think scalability of your business. Can you afford employees when you charge only enough to pay yourself? Don't be afraid to charge what you are really worth and offering. Don't be afraid. You won't get them all, but at least you won't close up shop due to failure.

[mfsperring]

Very helpful. This is the second video of yours I've watched and you have a knack for making things less complicated in my head. I'm wondering if you could do a video on getting insurance. Types, general costs what you should get coverage for.

[martinbakunawa]

Spot on as always Greg. Great work! I am closely following your work now and thank you for your content.

[AZ-Drone]

Sounds like I'm in the range as well. I don't have "package prices" at present as I bid jobs on a case by case basis. Construction groups that I have worked with have a large array of potential needs, so I consider my time on site doing prep work, time on site gathering stills / video, and post processing time for the final package to meet their deliverable requirements.

[AirWorthyTours]

Wow, I fit right in with my pricing. My day rate ranges from $350-$750, depending on the variables. Also, SEO is important to get work, because the industry is so young.

[tyhusak]

Great video. Thanks for the info and concise presentation. I’m retired but do freelance drone work, as well. I occasionally do a job for free, such as a recent celebration of life for a veteran. I have done some real estate work and am doing regular video and still image packages for a construction site. I charge $100 per hour with a one hour minimum. Generally, I can deliver a 5 to 15 minute post processed video plus stills on the construction site for the $100 minimum which meets the clients needs. I also do occasional event videos (non-aerial) and still photography, but base my rates for those on an hourly or package rate depending on circumstances and generally much less than drone rates. As one of the other commenters mentioned any updated info on best insurance (especially per job) would be helpful.

[yoshisvlog]

great video! I am a Japanese who studied GIS in the US and now is trying to be a drone pilot in Japan. The interesting thing is that Japan doesnt require you to have any certification or license as of now, but I heard starting next year, the gov is gonna implement a new regulation and I think I have to study and be certified

[FamauMedia]

Greg! I had no idea about this channel, sick work man. Just passed my A2 CofC (UK) this week, hoping to work on the GVC after the summer wedding rush is over, definitely a route I'm looking to dig into further. Made some great contacts already in different UAV sectors here, it's looking good going forward 👌
Hope your little family's doing well! Keep at it dude 👊

[danielmonan]

Great information thanks a lot, no messing around just straight to the point and easy to take in

[anonamos]

If you want to be a full time drone pilot, you better have another good paying full time job.

[granitestatepropertyinspec]

Just got my A license bro, blue skies. Also Just got my part 107. Great video.

[joshuaandree]

I think I could enjoy a job like this. It’s a lot like playing a video game but you don’t get extra lives.

[danieljabiri]

I like the fact that you established how much you make per day. Definitely worth the money for work that you enjoy.