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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Uav Pilot in California is $83,163 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.
However, an Uav Pilot's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Uav Pilot Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $93,113 | $7,759 | $1,791 | $45 |
| Average | $83,163 | $6,930 | $1,599 | $40 |
| 25th Percentile | $77,340 | $6,445 | $1,487 | $37 |
Covered 6 LLC - Los Angeles, CA
REACH Medical Holdings - TWIN FALLS, ID
REACH Medical Holdings - WESTWOOD VILLAGE, ID
REACH Medical Holdings - BOISE, ID
An Uav Pilot's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Uav Pilot's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| CAD Draft... Level Uav Pilot | $74,109 |
| Uav Pilot... Level Uav Pilot | $84,376 |
| CAD Draft... Level Uav Pilot | $102,161 |
| CAD Draft... Level Uav Pilot | $132,026 |
| CAD Draft... Level Uav Pilot | $154,690 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Uav Pilots. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Uav Pilot roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 75% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 35% above the average. In contrast, Uav Pilot positions in Media or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Uav Pilot as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $112,270 | $54.0 | 35% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $108,112 | $52.0 | 30% |
| Financial Services | $103,954 | $50.0 | 25% |
| Construction | $99,796 | $48.0 | 20% |
| Internet | $99,796 | $48.0 | 20% |
Understanding how an Uav Pilot's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $93,113 | $7,759 | $1,791 | $45 |
| Average | $83,163 | $6,930 | $1,599 | $40 |
| 25th Percentile | $77,340 | $6,445 | $1,487 | $37 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Uav Pilot job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
REACH Medical Holdings
SOUTH OGDEN, UT
REACH Medical Holdings | SOUTH OGDEN, UT
REACH Medical Holdings seeks a Helicopter Pilot to support emergency air medical transport operations. You will safely operate rotorcraft for critical care... more
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REACH Medical Holdings
SALT LAKE CITY, UT
REACH Medical Holdings | SALT LAKE CITY, UT
REACH Medical Holdings seeks a Helicopter Pilot to support emergency air medical transport operations. You will safely operate rotorcraft for critical care... more
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REACH Medical Holdings
FORT BRAGG, CA
REACH Medical Holdings | FORT BRAGG, CA
REACH Medical Holdings seeks a Helicopter Pilot to support SPIFR helicopter air ambulance (HAA) missions across the Western U.S. In this safety-driven, mis... more
6 Days Ago
REACH Medical Holdings
KESWICK, CA
REACH Medical Holdings | KESWICK, CA
REACH Medical Holdings seeks a Helicopter Pilot to support SPIFR helicopter air ambulance (HAA) missions across the Western U.S. In this safety-driven, mis... more
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REACH Medical Holdings
FLORIN, CA
REACH Medical Holdings | FLORIN, CA
REACH Medical Holdings seeks a Helicopter Pilot to support SPIFR helicopter air ambulance (HAA) missions across the Western U.S. In this safety-driven, mis... more
6 Days Ago
REACH Medical Holdings
LAKEPORT, CA
REACH Medical Holdings | LAKEPORT, CA
REACH Medical Holdings seeks a Helicopter Pilot to support SPIFR helicopter air ambulance (HAA) missions across the Western U.S. In this safety-driven, mis... more
6 Days Ago
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