6 Ways to Make Money With Your Drone

Drones have become more popular for personal and professional use in recent years. They offer a new perspective on the world and have numerous applications in various industries. One of the most exciting aspects of owning a drone is its potential to make money. If you’re a drone enthusiast looking to turn your hobby into a profitable business, you can do so in many ways.

In this article, I will give you 6 ways to make money with your drone. Whether you’re a professional pilot or a hobbyist, these ideas will help you earn extra cash and use your drone well.  So, without further ado, let’s dive in!

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Aerial Photography

Aerial photography can be a lucrative business if you are a good drone photographer with the equipment to capture stunning aerial images or videos. Here are some ways to make money with aerial photography:

Real Estate Photography:

Real estate agents often hire aerial photographers to capture high-quality images and videos of properties they are listing. You can charge per property, per hour, or project.

Event Photography:

Aerial photography is becoming popular for capturing events such as concerts, and weddings. You can offer your services to event planners or directly to clients.

Construction Progress Photography:

Construction companies use aerial photography to document the progress of their projects. You can charge per visit or project.

Agriculture Photography:

Farmers and businesses use aerial photography to monitor crops and livestock. You can offer your services to local farmers and charge per acre or project.

Stock Photography:

You can sell aerial photos or videos on stock photography websites like Shutterstock, iStock, and Getty Images.

How much you can make depends on various factors, such as your skill level, equipment, location, and market demand. According to Payscale, the average hourly rate for an aerial photographer is around $25, but some photographers can charge up to $200 per hour. Additionally, some projects may require multiple visits or extensive post-processing, which can increase the overall cost.

Drone Education and Training

Drone training is growing as more individuals and businesses seek to learn how to safely and effectively operate drones. Here are some ways to make money with drone education and training:

Certification Courses:

You can offer certification courses for drone pilots seeking to obtain their Part 107 license, which the FAA requires to operate drones commercially. You can charge a fee per student or per course. According to Drone Pilot Ground School, the average price for a Part 107 training course is around $300.

Workshops and Seminars:

You can offer workshops and seminars on various drone-related topics, such as aerial photography, mapping, and surveying. You can charge a fee per attendee or event.

Corporate Training:

You can offer drone training and consulting services to businesses that want to integrate drones into their operations. You can charge a fee per project or hour. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a drone trainer is around $63,000 per year.

Educational Institutions:

You can offer your services to educational institutions, such as universities, community colleges, and vocational schools, to teach drone-related courses. You can be an independent contractor or a full-time instructor, and salaries for full-time drone education jobs range from $50,000 to $90,000 per year, according to Glassdoor.

Aerial Surveying and Mapping

Aerial surveying and mapping is a specialized field involving drones to capture detailed images and data of the land from above. Here are some ways to make money with aerial surveying:

Topographic Surveying:

Topographic surveying involves creating accurate and detailed maps of the land, including contours, elevation, and other features. You can offer your services to government agencies, construction companies, and other businesses that require accurate topographic data. You can charge per project or hour, and according to Payscale, the average salary for a topographic surveyor is around $63,000 per year.

Environmental Monitoring:

Aerial surveying can also be used for environmental monitoring, such as assessing the health of forests or tracking changes in wetlands. You can offer your services to environmental organizations, government agencies, and private companies. According to Payscale, the average salary for an environmental scientist with remote sensing skills is around $63,000 annually.

Agriculture Surveying:

Aerial surveying can monitor crops, estimate yields, and identify potential problems such as pest infestations. You can offer your services to local farmers or agricultural businesses and charge per acre or project. According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for an agricultural surveyor is around $61,000 per year.

Construction Monitoring:

Aerial surveying can monitor construction sites, track progress, and identify potential issues. You can offer your services to construction companies and charge per project or hour. According to Payscale, the average salary for a construction surveyor is around $58,000 per year.

Drone Inspection

Drone inspection is very unpopular, and most people don’t know about drone inspection service, but in recent years the demand is growing rapidly as more industries are using drones to inspect and monitor infrastructure and equipment. Here are some ways to make money with drone inspection:

Infrastructure Inspection:

You can offer drone inspection services to inspect infrastructure such as bridges, roads, buildings, and pipelines. You can charge per project or hour. According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for a drone inspector is around $60,000 per year.

Energy and Utility Inspection:

Drones can also inspect energy and utility equipment such as wind turbines, solar panels, and power lines. You can offer your services to energy and utility companies and charge per project or hour. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a drone pilot with energy experience is around $70,000 annually.

Environmental Monitoring:

Drones can monitor and inspect environmental hazards such as oil spills, natural disasters, and wildlife habitats. You can offer your services to environmental organizations, government agencies, and private companies. According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for a drone pilot with environmental monitoring experience is around $62,000 annually.

Agricultural Inspection:

Drones can inspect crops, estimate yields, and identify potential problems such as pest infestations. You can offer your services to local farmers or agricultural businesses and charge per acre or project. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a drone pilot with agriculture experience is around $70,000 annually.

Drone Security & Surveillance

Nowadays, drones are used in security and surveillance because they give you much more area to monitor your surroundings. Drones are becoming increasingly popular for security and surveillance purposes. Here are some ways to make money with drone security and surveillance:

Event Security:

Drones can monitor large events such as concerts, festivals, and sports games. You can offer your services to event organizers and charge per hour or event. According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for a drone pilot with security experience is around $72,000 annually.

Property Surveillance:

Drones can monitor properties such as industrial sites, residential complexes, and public spaces. You can offer your services to property owners and managers and charge per hour or project. According to Payscale, the average salary for a security consultant with drone skills is around $73,000 annually.

Search and Rescue:

Drones can assist with search and rescue operations, such as locating missing persons or surveying disaster zones. You can offer your services to emergency responders and government agencies and charge per project or hour. According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for a drone pilot with search and rescue experience is around $78,000 annually.

Border Patrol and Law Enforcement:

Drones can monitor borders and assist with law enforcement activities such as tracking suspects and identifying potential threats. You can offer your services to government agencies and law enforcement departments and charge per project or hour. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a drone pilot with law enforcement experience is around $70,000 annually.

Drone Filmmaking

Drone filmmaking is a popular and lucrative field, as drones allow filmmakers to capture stunning aerial footage that was previously impossible to obtain. Here are some ways to make money with drone filmmaking:

Film and TV Production:

You can offer your services to film and TV production companies to capture aerial footage for movies, TV shows, and commercials. You can charge per project or day. According to Payscale, the average salary for a drone pilot with film and video production skills is around $70,000 annually.

Real Estate Videography:

Drones can capture aerial footage of properties for real estate agents and brokers. You can offer your services to local real estate professionals and charge per project or hour. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a drone pilot with real estate photography and videography experience is around $60,000 annually.

Travel and Tourism:

Drones can capture aerial footage of popular tourist destinations and attractions. You can offer your services to travel companies, tourism boards, and hotels and charge per project or day. According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for a drone pilot with travel and tourism experience is around $71,000 annually.

Sports and Event Coverage:

Drones can capture aerial footage of sports games, concerts, and other events. You can offer your services to event organizers and media companies and charge per project or day. According to Payscale, the average salary for a drone pilot with media and entertainment skills is around $73,000 annually.

6 Ways to Make Money with Your Drone – Final Thoughts

In conclusion, drones have become a valuable tool in various industries, providing opportunities for skilled drone pilots to make money. Whether you’re interested in aerial photography, surveying and mapping, aerial surveying, drone education and training, drone inspection, drone security and surveillance, or drone filmmaking, there are many ways to turn your drone into a profitable business.

However, it’s important to remember that the amount of money you can make will depend on factors such as your level of experience, expertise, and location, as well as the demand for drone services in your industry. With the right skills and knowledge, though, you can build a successful drone business and take advantage of this technology’s many opportunities.

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