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Drone Operator / UAV Technician

Drone operators pilot unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for commercial purposes including aerial photography, real estate imaging, infrastructure inspection, and surveying. The FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate is required for all commercial drone operations. Florida's extensive outdoor environment, real estate market, and agricultural operations create strong demand for certified operators.

FL Median Salary
$57,840
Entry Salary
$31,200
Experienced
$93,900
FL Growth
N/A

Requirements & Training

  • Credential: FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate; age 16+; pass FAA Aeronautical Knowledge Test
  • Florida license required: Yes (Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) - federal license; no separate FL state license)

Career Path

  1. Freelance/Part-time Operator
  2. Staff Drone Pilot
  3. Chief Pilot/UAS Manager
  4. UAS Program Director

Top Florida Employers

Real estate photography companiesAerial survey firmsFlorida Power & LightConstruction firmsAgriculture operationsInsurance companiesFilm/media production

Related Programs

  • UAS Technology Certificate
  • Aviation AS
  • Remote Sensing Technology
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Salary data sourced from Bureau of Labor Statistics Florida Occupational Employment Statistics. School data from Florida Department of Education CIE database.

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