Home > Salary > China > Drone Pilot
A drone pilot is a professional responsible for operating unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones for various purposes. They are skilled in flying drones and maneuvering them to capture aerial footage, conduct inspections, assist in search and rescue missions, monitor crops, and gather data for mapping and surveying. Drone pilots must have a thorough understanding of aviation regulations and safety protocols to ensure the safe operation of drones.
They typically work in industries such as photography and videography, agriculture, construction, real estate, environmental monitoring, and emergency response. Drone pilots need to possess excellent hand-eye coordination, technical skills, and the ability to adapt to changing weather conditions and environments. They must also have a keen eye for detail and be able to interpret the data collected by the drone accurately.
Estimated Yearly Salary: 97,455 CNY
Estimated Monthly Salary: 8,121 CNY
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,874 CNY per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 47 CNY per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 7,843 CNY
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,810 CNY per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 45 CNY per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-02
Estimated Yearly Salary: 12,159 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 1,013 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 234 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 6 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
4 %
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.
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Estimated Yearly Salary: 97,455 CNY
Estimated Monthly Salary: 8,121 CNY
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,874 CNY per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 47 CNY per hour
By working as Drone Pilot a person can save up to 499 USD per month or 5,991 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 China, see costs of living in China.
Estimated Yearly Salary for Drone Pilot
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Data as of 2025
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Drone Pilot salary in China
Average Yearly Salary of Drone Pilot in China is approximately 97,455 CNY (12,159 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 Pilot do?

Skills: Drone pilot, UAV operator, Aerial photographer, Remote sensing specialist, Surveying technician, Drone inspector
Job industry: Aviation
Job industry: Aviation
How much does Drone Pilot make?
Salary details
How much does Drone Pilot make?Estimated Yearly Salary: 97,455 CNY
Estimated Monthly Salary: 8,121 CNY
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,874 CNY per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 47 CNY per hour
Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 94,120 CNYEstimated Monthly Salary: 7,843 CNY
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,810 CNY per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 45 CNY per hour
Drone Pilot estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 12,159 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 1,013 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 234 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 6 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
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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Country:
Salary comparison to National average
China is a vast country located in East Asia. It has the largest population in the world, with over 1.4 billion people. The country covers an expansive area of approximately 9.6 million square kilometers. China shares borders with 14 countries and has diverse geographical features, including mountains, plateaus, and plains.
Estimated national average yearly salary is 92,134 CNY (12,850 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Drone Pilot job salary compared to average salary in China.
Comparison shows that a person working as Drone Pilot in China earns on average:
1.06 times the average salary (or 106% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 92,134 CNY (12,850 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Drone Pilot job salary compared to average salary in China.
Comparison shows that a person working as Drone Pilot in China earns on average:
1.06 times the average salary (or 106% of average salary).
Is Drone Pilot a well paid job?
Yes, our data show that Drone Pilot is an averagely well paid job that still allows for some yearly savings. With years and experience the salary might increase even further, resulting in higher satisfaction.What is considered a high salary for Drone Pilot?
High salary for Drone Pilot would be somewhere between 107,201 CNY and 141,310 CNY. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Drone Pilot in China?
Living in China the approximate monthly expenses are: 514 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: 97,455 CNY
Estimated Monthly Salary: 8,121 CNY
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,874 CNY per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 47 CNY per hour
By working as Drone Pilot a person can save up to 499 USD per month or 5,991 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 China, see costs of living in China.
Salary comparison to region and neighbouring coutries
Country's neighbours are: Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar (Burma), Laos, Vietnam, North Korea. 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 Pilot
Salary 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
- 6 to 10 years of experience yields
- 11 to 15 years of experience yields
- 16 to 25 years of experience yields
- more than 25 years of experience yields
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Random salary:
Picker (41,522 CNY per year, pre-tax.)
Associate professor postsecondary higher education (157,992 CNY per year, pre-tax.)
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Tax accounting manager (162,472 CNY per year, pre-tax.)
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