What are the main factors that influence an Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

What industry pays the highest salary for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.

How does experience change An Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator's salary?

An Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator's salary grows with experience: an Insurance Claim Service Representative I (0-1 years)earns $41,347, an Insurance Claim Service Representative II (1-3 years)earns $52,396, an Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator (3-5 years)earns $58,296, an Insurance Claim Service Team Supervisor (5+ years)earns $82,750, an Insurance Claim Service Manager I (5+ years)earns $115,207,

What are the highest paying states for an Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator?

Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator roles are District of Columbia $57,911, California $57,691, Massachusetts $56,923. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator roles make?

Salaries for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator level roles vary by specialization: Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Operator: $108,238; Unmanned Aircraft Pilot: $88,942; Aircraft Systems Engineer: $75,791; Aircraft Electrician: $74,117; Aircraft Systems Technician: $62,766.

Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator Salary in District of Columbia

How much does an Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator make in District of Columbia?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for an Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator in District of Columbia is $57,911 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $28.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $67,356
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $52,366 to $62,855
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $47,318

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Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$62,855	$5,238	$1,209	$30
Average	$57,911	$4,826	$1,114	$28
25th Percentile	$52,366	$4,364	$1,007	$25

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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): $41,347
Early Career (1-2 years): $52,396
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $58,296
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $82,750
Expert (over 8 years): $115,207

Levels	Salary
Insurance... Level Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator	$41,347
Insurance... Level Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator	$52,396
Unmanned ... Level Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator	$58,296
Insurance... Level Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator	$82,750
Insurance... Level Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator	$115,207

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How Do Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $57,911.
California: $57,691.
Massachusetts: $56,923.

District of Columbia $57,911 California $57,691 Massachusetts $56,923 Washington $56,713 New Jersey $56,692 Alaska $56,619 Connecticut $55,897 New York $55,604

Hawaii $54,668 Rhode Island $54,229 Maryland $53,931 Minnesota $53,523 Colorado $53,366 Illinois $53,314 Oregon $53,115 Delaware $52,968

New Hampshire $52,876 Virginia $52,670 Pennsylvania $52,069 Nevada $51,765 North Dakota $51,666 Michigan $51,509 Wisconsin $51,452 Vermont $51,336

Texas $51,017 Maine $50,996 Arizona $50,965 Ohio $50,929 Georgia $50,447 Indiana $50,207 Wyoming $50,160 Utah $50,086

Iowa $50,055 Kansas $49,804 Louisiana $49,731 North Carolina $49,705 Missouri $49,694 Florida $49,490 Montana $49,380 Nebraska $49,276

Kentucky $49,218 South Carolina $49,009 Tennessee $48,878 Idaho $48,826 New Mexico $48,444 Oklahoma $48,360 Alabama $48,052 South Dakota $47,534

Arkansas $47,252 West Virginia $47,100 Mississippi $46,645

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:

Parcel Return Service: $57,597
Washington: $57,597
Naval Anacost Annex: $57,595

Parcel Return Service, DC $57,597 Washington, DC $57,597 Naval Anacost Annex, DC $57,595 Washington Navy Yard, DC $57,597

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	$86,867	$42.0	50%
Financial Services	$75,284	$36.0	30%

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

$52,366

Average $57,911/year

$62,855

$4,364

Average $4,826/month

$5,238

$1,007

Average $1,114/week

$1,209

$25

Average $28/hour

$30

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$62,855	$5,238	$1,209	$30
Average	$57,911	$4,826	$1,114	$28
25th Percentile	$52,366	$4,364	$1,007	$25

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