Home > Salary > Australia > Drone Operator
A drone operator is responsible for piloting unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones, typically for commercial purposes. They operate the drone remotely using a ground control station, ensuring safe and efficient flight operations. Drone operators may work in various industries, such as photography and videography, agriculture, surveying and mapping, construction, and emergency services.
Their primary tasks include pre-flight checks and inspections, controlling the drone during flight, monitoring equipment and sensors, capturing aerial footage or images, and analyzing data collected by the drone. They need to have a thorough understanding of drone regulations and safety protocols to ensure compliance with local laws and regulations.
Estimated Yearly Salary: 118,331 AUD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 9,861 AUD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,276 AUD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 57 AUD per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 9,551 AUD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,204 AUD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 55 AUD per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-03
Estimated Yearly Salary: 59,208 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 4,934 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,139 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 28 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
3 %
Data confidence is - relatively high
Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
Estimated Yearly Salary: 118,331 AUD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 9,861 AUD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,276 AUD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 57 AUD per hour
By working as Drone Operator a person can save up to 2,517 USD per month or 30,202 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in Australia, see costs of living in Australia.
Estimated Yearly Salary for Drone Operator
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Data as of 2025
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Drone Operator salary in Australia
Average Yearly Salary of Drone Operator in Australia is approximately 118,331 AUD (59,208 USD). Data is for 2025 and indicates a pre-tax value. The salary itself depends on multiple factors such as seniority, job performance, certifications, experience or any other bonuses. The value indicated is an average amount based on records we have in database. Real values may vary. The data is for orientational purposes.
What does Drone Operator do?
A drone operator is responsible for piloting unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones, typically for commercial purposes. They operate the drone remotely using a ground control station, ensuring safe and efficient flight operations. Drone operators may work in various industries, such as photography and videography, agriculture, surveying and mapping, construction, and emergency services.
Their primary tasks include pre-flight checks and inspections, controlling the drone during flight, monitoring equipment and sensors, capturing aerial footage or images, and analyzing data collected by the drone. They need to have a thorough understanding of drone regulations and safety protocols to ensure compliance with local laws and regulations.
Skills: Drone operator, UAV pilot, Aerial videography, Remote sensing, Drone technology, Commercial drone operation
Job industry: Aerospace
Job industry: Aerospace
How much does Drone Operator make?
Salary details
How much does Drone Operator make?Estimated Yearly Salary: 118,331 AUD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 9,861 AUD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,276 AUD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 57 AUD per hour
Values are pre-tax Last revision of data: 2025-01-04Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 114,612 AUDEstimated Monthly Salary: 9,551 AUD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,204 AUD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 55 AUD per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-03Drone Operator estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 59,208 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 4,934 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,139 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 28 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
3 %About these results
Data confidence is - relatively high Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
Compare salary to other countries
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Salary comparison to National average
Australia is a vast country located in the southern hemisphere. It has a diverse population of approximately 25 million people. The country spans an area of about 7.7 million square kilometers, making it the sixth-largest country in the world. Australia is surrounded by the Indian and Pacific Oceans and is known for its stunning landscapes, including the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru, and the Outback.
Estimated national average yearly salary is 84,179 AUD (60,430 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Drone Operator job salary compared to average salary in Australia.
Comparison shows that a person working as Drone Operator in Australia earns on average:
1.41 times the average salary (or 141% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 84,179 AUD (60,430 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Drone Operator job salary compared to average salary in Australia.
Comparison shows that a person working as Drone Operator in Australia earns on average:
1.41 times the average salary (or 141% of average salary).
Is Drone Operator a well paid job?
Yes, our data shows that Drone Operator is a well paid job. With years and experience the salary might increase even further, resulting in higher satisfaction.What is considered a high salary for Drone Operator?
High salary for Drone Operator would be somewhere between 130,164 AUD and 171,580 AUD. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Drone Operator in Australia?
Living in Australia the approximate monthly expenses are: 2,417 USD. This amount covers basic needs such as food, housing, clothing, healthcare and education costs for a single person. No luxury expenses such as traveling, leisure, hobbies are included in the estimation.Estimated Yearly Salary: 118,331 AUD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 9,861 AUD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,276 AUD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 57 AUD per hour
By working as Drone Operator a person can save up to 2,517 USD per month or 30,202 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in Australia, see costs of living in Australia.
Salary comparison to region and neighbouring coutries
Country's neighbours are: Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor. To make it easier for comparison a conversion from local currency to USD has been made (conversion rates may vary).Estimated Yearly Salary for Drone Operator
Indonesia is 10,364 USD
East Timor is 44,025 USD Last revision of data: 2025-01-04Salary increase per years of experience
Based on data available the salary increase per years of experience is as following- 0 years (beginner) equals base salary
- 1 to 5 years of experience yields
+12% salary increase- 6 to 10 years of experience yields
+25% salary increase- 11 to 15 years of experience yields
+16% salary increase- 16 to 25 years of experience yields
+9% salary increase- more than 25 years of experience yields
+10% salary increaseTop 10 highest salaries in Australia
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Data as of 2025Random salary:
Program manager utility (206,828 AUD per year, pre-tax.)
Ipt engineer (119,535 AUD per year, pre-tax.)
Sports psychologist (97,438 AUD per year, pre-tax.)
Hearing aid dispenser (61,451 AUD per year, pre-tax.)
Special agent (97,648 AUD per year, pre-tax.)
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