Can you make money with a drone? An honest look
By the Steady Ground team ·
Drones are fun to fly. So it's natural to wonder if you can make money with a drone. The short answer is yes. The honest answer is that it takes time. Few people live on drone work alone at first. Most start it as a side business and grow it.
Here's what the work looks like, who pays for it and what you need before you take a single dollar.
First, the rule you can't skip
To fly a drone for any business reason, you need a Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA. The FAA is the government agency in charge of the sky. This rule is called Part 107.
Don't skip this, even for a friend's business. The FAA can fine you up to $75,000 for each time you break the rules.
The good news is that the certificate is cheap and quick. You can get it for about $180 if you study with the FAA's free guide. The test costs about $175 each time you take it.
Ways drone pilots get paid
Real estate photos
Homes for sale look better from the air. Agents want photos that show the whole house, the yard and the street. This is a typical drone job.
Roof checks
Climbing a roof is slow and risky. A drone can take a close look from above. Roofers and builders may pay for this.
Video for local businesses
Shops, farms, venues and events may want short videos or photos from the air.
Adding drones to a job you already have
Many pilots pair drone work with real estate, photography, roofing or farming. The drone adds value to skills they already sell. This is often the easiest way in.
How much can you charge?
Here's the hard part. There is no official pay data for drone pilots. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn't track this job.
Some companies that sell drone gear and courses say a real estate shoot pays about $75 to $400. They also say part-time pilots make $25,000 to $40,000 a year. But remember who's saying it. They want to sell you things.
Flying is the small part of the job
Most of your time won't be spent in the air. Here is what fills a drone pilot's week:
- Finding clients and sending prices
- Checking the weather and the airspace
- Planning each flight
- Editing photos and video
- Keeping records
If you just want to fly and don't want to edit or sell, this may not be the job for you. Weather matters too. A week of rain can mean a week with no work.
What you'll spend to start
- FAA test: about $175 each try
- Study help: $0 with the free FAA guide, or about $159 to $299 for a course
- Drone registration: $5 per drone, good for 3 years
- Insurance: about $500 to $2,000 a year, by one seller's estimate. Some clients will ask if you have it.
- A drone: this varies a lot
With a drone and insurance, you could spend about $700 to $2,500. Don't buy expensive gear until you've landed your first few clients.
How to get your first clients
- Take a small set of great sample photos. Practice in an empty field first.
- Show them to local real estate agents, roofers and builders.
- Ask what they pay now, and if they need you to have insurance.
- Start small. Do great work. Ask happy clients to tell others.
Watch out for big promises
Some courses promise a big income or a proven system. The Federal Trade Commission warns about these. Since there's no official pay data, a large number is likely just marketing. Ask for proof.
Also, you may hear about a new FAA rule called Part 108. It would allow more flights where you can't see the drone. When we checked in November 2026, it was still only a plan. Don't build a business on it yet.
So, can you make money with a drone?
Yes, if you treat it like a small business. Start part time. Keep your costs low. Learn to edit and to sell. Grow it as your clients grow.
Our drone pilot guide walks you through the FAA test step by step. Like the real estate side of things? Read about real estate agents too. Or take the career quiz to see your best matches.
Quick answers
Do you need a license to make money with a drone?
Yes. To fly for any business reason, you need an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate under Part 107. Flying for pay without one can bring a fine of up to $75,000 for each violation.
How much does a drone pilot charge for real estate photos?
There's no official figure. Companies that sell drone gear and courses quote about $75 to $400 a shoot. Call local photographers to see what's charged near you.
How old do you have to be to fly drones for money?
You must be at least 16 to get the FAA's Remote Pilot Certificate.
Where these facts come from
We checked these sources when we wrote this post. Rules and fees change, so check them before you pay for anything.