WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A COMMERCIAL DRONE PILOT IN 2025
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A
DRONE PILOT IN 2025
INTRODUCTION
The commercial drone industry is evolving fast—and so is the role of the drone pilot.
According to industry experts, tens of thousands of drone-related jobs will be created over the next few years as companies ramp up their uncrewed operations—and many of those jobs will be pilot jobs. But, unlike the old days, it’s not enough to be a talented operator to secure a drone pilot position. Today’s drone pilots need a broader set of skills, from regulatory knowledge to data analysis and mission planning. Whether you’re an experienced pilot or just starting out, it is essential that you understand what employers are looking for and find new ways to stay competitive.
In this report, Commercial UAV News discusses what it means to be a drone pilot in 2025. The report outlines the necessary licenses and certification processes, examines targeted training and educational opportunities, and explores innovative and unconventional ways to utilize piloting skills. The report also offers practical, actionable advice on how to get started as a commercial drone pilot or advance your career, and it examines how technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) may—or may not—impact commercial drone pilots in the years to come.
WHAT IS A COMMERCIAL DRONE PILOT?
There are many kinds of drone pilots in the world. Some are simply “hobbyists” who fly drones for fun. Some are photographers and videographers who work in fields such as entertainment and hospitality. Others can be found in the military, utilizing UAVs for combat missions, surveillance, search and rescue, or safety purposes.
For this report, we’ll focus on “commercial drone pilots,” or those who use uncrewed vehicles primarily for business purposes. Commercial drone pilots work in various fields, including farming, construction, utilities, public safety, surveying, and package delivery. Their drone-flying skills are helping to bring added efficiency, safety, and profitability to a growing number of commercial applications.
Although drone pilots and conventional aviators share many similarities, there are significant distinctions between these two categories of pilots. As drone industry expert Juan Plaza pointed out in Commercial UAV News, “More and more data points are telling us that uncrewed aircraft belong to a different category than their traditional, crewed counterparts,” and “we are destined to coexist as two separate groups of aviation professionals.”
While drone pilots may be part of a separate group of aviators, they are members of a unique and evolving community that is expanding the possibilities in the sky. They are building on the lessons of crewed aviation and adding new skills and experiences to unlock increased value and efficiency. Moreover, they are at the forefront
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A COMMERCIAL DRONE PILOT IN 2025
of an industry that’s changing rapidly and is poised to transform the ways countless industries conduct business fundamentally.
So, if you’re already a commercial drone pilot—or if you’d like to become one—now is an exciting time!
COMMERCIAL DRONE INDUSTRY OUTLOOK
“The job outlook for drone pilots in 2025 is promising,” according to Aerial Northwest. “The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported over 1.7 million registered drones in the U.S. as of 2020, and this number is expected to increase. As drone technology becomes more integrated into various sectors, the need for professional drone pilots will continue to grow.”
In fact, according to a recent report, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) “expects nearly 500,000 new drone pilots will be needed in the next five years.”
Others are more measured in their assessment of the job market. For example, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts only 3% job growth for drone pilots for the period of 2019 to 2029. That said, many experts believe that pilots could be in high demand in the years to come as the overall drone industry rapidly expands.
As the market research firm, Drone Industry Insights (DII) asserted in 2024, “the global drone market is set to reach a staggering US$54.6 billion by 2030, with the commercial segment outpacing overall growth at a 7.7% CAGR.” Among the hottest industries within the drone space are surveying & mapping, which represented US$10 billion worldwide in 2023, according to DII, and the energy & utilities sector, which DII predicts will grow from US$4.66 billion to US$7.43 billion by 2030.
Within each of these sectors, drone pilots will be required to conduct operations, as well as take on ancillary tasks such as data collection and analysis. Additionally, skilled personnel will be required to source and service drones, assist firms in complying with relevant regulations and policies, and perform drone-related sales, marketing, and administrative tasks.
Speaking with Commercial UAV News, Chris Todd, Founder and Executive Director of AIRT (Airborne International Response Team), stated that drone pilots need to acquire new skills or become highly specialized in a specific field to capitalize on these emerging professional opportunities. “To become a successful commercial drone pilot in the current marketplace, a remote pilot needs to develop subject matter expertise in one or more core disciplines beyond just operating the aircraft and managing the data,” he said. “Employers or customers are looking for operators who are certified to operate UAS but also truly understand their core business. Whether it is photojournalism, critical infrastructure inspections, constructions, or public safety, you need to have a solid knowledge foundation in the sector you are working in if you truly want to be successful.”
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A
And what does success look like for commercial drone pilots?
Aerial Northwest reported that the average salary for a drone pilot in the US is around $83,000 annually, with entry-level pilots (less than one year experience) earning about $42,000 per year and those with five or more years of experience taking home around $88,000.
Of course, salaries vary by industry and role. According to Aerial Northwest, drone pilots working film and television can earn up to $100,000 a year, while those working in fields like agriculture or construction could earn between $43,000 to $53,000 annually. Freelance drone pilots, according to Aerial Northwest, can charge between $35 and $150 per hour, with a median rate of $85 per hour.
GETTING STARTED AS A COMMERCIAL DRONE PILOT
Many commercial drone pilots start off as hobbyists and then adapt their flying skills to perform commercial work. Others are experts in fields such as construction or surveying, and they learn how to fly to enhance their overall operations.
Regardless of the path you take, there are a few key steps that everyone must follow to perform commercial drone operations efficiently, safely, and legally.
Certifications and Licenses
In most parts of the world, commercial drone pilots are required to obtain the necessary licenses and certifications before operating drones for business purposes. But these rules can vary from country to country and from region to region, so drone pilots must always be aware of the local ordinances.
For example, in Europe, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has set firm standards for both commercial drone operators (those who own or rent drones for business purposes) and drone pilots (those who operate them). Operators must carry proper insurance and register their vehicles with their National Aviation Authority. Commercial drone pilots must “complete the necessary online training, pass a pilot exam, and get a valid remote pilot competency certificate.”
These rules broadly cover commercial drone operations on the continent, but drone pilots will find that requirements can vary from country to country and within distinct regions, states, and municipalities.
Drone pilots in Asia, South America, and Africa will find that they must adhere to similar rules and navigate multiple sets of unique, local regulations. Overall, however, most pilots must obtain the required pilot certification within their country before they can fly for business.
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A
Part 107 and Part 108
In the United States, drone pilots must comply with rules set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under its Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Rule, commonly referred to as Part 107. The Part 107 test covers airspace regulations, flying safety protocols, and related topics. Passing the exam gives you the right to fly a UAV for commercial purposes, in controlled airspace, and in accordance with set aviation rules.
The establishment of Part 107 in 2016 was a watershed moment for the drone industry. The number of qualified, certified drone pilots has increased significantly over the years, with the FAA reporting that there are more than 785,000 registered drones in the US, and half of those vehicles are designed for commercial use. What’s more, there are more than 405,000 certified Part 107 remote pilots in the country.
Part 107 was a turning point for commercial drone pilots, and the forthcoming update to the rule—Part 108—will be another important milestone for the commercial drone industry. Currently under development by FAA regulators, who are working with industry leaders, Part 108 will address rules around flights beyond visual line of site or “BVLOS.” Currently, pilots are restricted from flying beyond their visual range, but many commercial drone operations require longer flights. Setting clear rules around these extended operations will dramatically expand the industry, giving pilots opportunities to perform longer, more regular inspections, deliver packages to more remote places, engage in more sophisticated mapping and surveying work, and much more.
Speaking during the recent Commercial UAV News webinar, “The Changing Role of Drone Pilots,” Sam Scully, Founder and Principal, Scully Staffing, stated that Part 108 will cause “a significant shift” in the industry. In particular, Scully said the pilots would need to “upskill” to gain “a better understanding of detect-and-avoid systems, operational risk management,” and related aviation issues.
There is no set date for the establishment of Part 108, but industry insiders are hopeful that rules will come soon. Recent statements by Trump administration officials suggest that progress is being made. Meanwhile, there has been no shortage of speculation and commentary on what Part 108 could and should be—ranging from suggestions that the rule covers rural and urban flight separately to basing decisions on Canada’s recent BVLOS rulings.
UAV Education and Training
As detailed above, drone pilots must pass exams and receive specialized training to obtain licenses and certificates necessary to perform commercial operations. Fortunately, there are many training opportunities available worldwide to help. From government-backed courses to training at private institutions, established and prospective commercial drone pilots can receive help to pass exams, and engage in focused educational coursework around drone maintenance, flight planning, the science of robotics and autonomy, and much more.
Perhaps nowhere in the world has seen more progress in drone education than in the US. In recent years, high schools and community colleges have begun teaching basic drone flying courses, along with Part 107 exam training. At the same time, established drone training programs have expanded their offerings. For example, the Sonoran Desert Institute (SDI) announced its new Associate of Science in Uncrewed Technology (ASUT) online program, and California’s Fullerton College said it will offer a Bachelor of Science degree in Drone and Autonomous Systems in 2026.
Also, the long-standing drone education institution Warren UAS, part of Warren County Community College in New Jersey, has added new staff and programs to address industry changes. The program has brought on a seasoned drone industry professional to develop a curriculum around drone maintenance, and it has entered into partnerships to expand training around flying larger, heavy-lift drones.
During the “The Changing Role of Drone Pilots” webinar, industry leaders stressed the importance of continuing education for pilots to become—and remain—valuable to employers.
“Part 107 is the bare minimum,” said Greg Reverdiau, Co-Founder and Lead Instructor at the Pilot Institute. “It’s a great start to become an aviator,” he said, but successful drone pilots must “practice, show proficiency, and demonstrate how they can perform on different platforms and in different, complex environments.”
FINDING OPPORTUNITIES AND GROWING YOUR BUSINESS
Whether you are entering the field or looking to expand your professional opportunities, there is no shortage of information and advice to draw from. The educational resources mentioned above are a great place to start, but business organizations, online communities like the Commercial Drone Professionals LinkedIn group, and events like the annual Commercial UAV Expo can put you in touch with colleagues prospective clients, and employers. These resources can also provide you with valuable tips on marketing, communications, purchasing, regulatory compliance, and more.
Speaking at “The Changing Role of Drone Pilots” webinar, Nina Shack, an Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Operator at AeroVelocity, said pilots new to the industry should “invest in themselves” by honing their skills and reaching out to many prospective employees and clients. “Be prepared to hear a hundred ‘No’s,’ and be prepared to do a hundred interviews,” she said. Also, she called on pilots to “learn to fly in different orientations, and focus not so much on the hours, but on the skill.”
Budding drone pilots, Shack also said, should “put themselves out there” by “attending conferences and letting people know that you’re ready, you’re eager, and you’re ready to learn.”
For more seasoned professionals looking to add clients or grow their businesses, Jared Janacek, Founder & President at Texas Drone Company, strongly urged drone pilots, whether working as an employee or as a freelancer, to understand the exact nature of the deliverables to be provided to the client. During the drone pilot webinar, Janacek said “We’re providing value to our clients, and that can be a very technical value or a very safety-driven value. We need a mindset of having the competency to understand the situation that you’re in.”
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A COMMERCIAL DRONE PILOT IN 2025
The Pilot Institute’s Greg Reverdiau echoed Janecek’s remarks and further emphasized that they take a client-focused approach. Success, he told webinar attendees, “is going to be based on talent, it’s going to be based on the product we deliver to the customer.”
Reverdiau also encouraged drone pilots to develop specialized skills, focus on specific industries, and explore new commercial applications for drones. Reporting that drone-based opportunities are expanding in areas such as aircraft inspections, precision agriculture, and building maintenance, he called on pilots to move past traditional business mindsets
“There are so many verticals opening up these days, so think outside the box,” he said. “Think of new applications.”
Ultimately, Reverdiau and his colleagues on “The Changing Role of Drone Pilots” webinar panel believed that countless opportunities are available for drone pilots, both new and experienced, to find interesting, rewarding, and lucrative work. They said that strong piloting skills, continuing education, and a willingness to adapt to changing technological, commercial, and regulatory realities are the keys to success.
“Work on your skills, work on the quality of the product you offer, and you’ll win,” Reverdiau said.
Meet the Authors
JEREMIAH KARPOWICZ Editorial Director
SCOTT HOWE Staff Writer
RAI Amsterdam