Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator Salary in the United States

How much does an Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for an Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator in the United States is $52,304 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $25.

However, an Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $60,834
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $47,296 to $56,769
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $42,737
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View as table View as graph 25% $47,296 10% $42,737 90% $60,834 75% $56,769 $52,304 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $56,769 $4,731 $1,092 $27
Average $52,304 $4,359 $1,006 $25
25th Percentile $47,296 $3,941 $910 $23
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Key Factors That Influence Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator Salaries

An Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator'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.

How Experience Level Affects Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $37,344
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $47,323
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $52,652
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $74,738
  • Expert (over 8 years): $104,052
Levels Salary
Insurance... Level Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator$37,344
Insurance... Level Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator$47,323
Unmanned ... Level Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator$52,652
Insurance... Level Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator$74,738
Insurance... Level Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator$104,052
$37,344 0 yr
$47,323 < 2 yrs
$52,652 2-4 yrs
$74,738 5-8 yrs
$104,052 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operators

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:

  • San Jose: $65,971
  • San Francisco: $65,249
  • Oakland: $63,874

What Skills Can Increase an Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 8.65% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Underwriting (Mentioned in 2.64% Job Postings): Underwriting services are provided by some large financial institutions, such as banks, or insurance or investment houses, whereby they guarantee payment in case of damage or financial loss and accept the financial risk for liability arising from such guarantee. An underwriting arrangement may be created in a number of situations including insurance, issue of securities in a public offering, and bank lending, among others. The person or institution that agrees to sell a minimum number of securities of the company for commission is called the underwriter. The name derives from the Lloyd's of London insurance market. Financial bankers, who would accept some of the risk on a given venture (historically a sea voyage with associated risks of shipwreck) in exchange for a premium, would literally write their names under the risk information that was written on a Lloyd's slip created for this purpose.
  • Product Knowledge (Mentioned in 1.47% Job Postings): Product knowledge is the ability to communicate information and answer questions about a product or service. It is considered an important knowledge area for any role that puts you in front of customers, investors or the media.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 8.65%
Underwriting 2.64%
Product Knowledge 1.47%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator's salary.
  • Attention to Detail: Can increase your salary by up to 28%.
  • Time Management: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Attention to Detail
$66,949
28%
Time Management
$61,719
18%
Presentation
$55,965
7%
Customer Service
$55,442
6%
Claim Reviews
$54,919
5%
Collective Bargaining
$54,396
4%
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Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator positions in Insurance or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$78,456$38.050%
Financial Services$67,995$33.030%

Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator'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.

Last Updated on July 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator

Salaries for an Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $45,979 in 2023 to around $45,515 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$45,979
2024
$45,972
2025
$45,515
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $45,979
2024 $45,972
2025 $45,515
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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