Operate a drone safely. Launch, land, and navigate the skies! Navigate to ensure drones are operated safely and avoid collisions. You may need to use a drone as a surveyor, inspector, police officer, photographer, or filmmaker, etc. Many live locally and travel for work. This is often a skill that is helpful for people of many professions to have, and there are some people who specialize in it.

Make a Difference

A Typical Day

  • Build, repair and tune multi-rotor aircraft.
  • Manage collected data.
  • Apply rules and regulations to operate as a commercial operator.
 

Recommended Credentials

Remote Pilot's Certificate or Associate's Degree

Education & Training

Regional employers often hire graduates of these programs.

 

Northwest Lower Michigan

 

Northwestern Michigan College has a Drone Pilot Training Class in Unmanned Aerial Systems.

Elsewhere in Michigan

 

Central Michigan University Drone Lab

Explore This Career

Try it before you buy it!

Join a robotics team.

Visit the Aviation Department at NMC.

Job shadow someone who uses a drone in their work.

The Local Advantage Learning Pathway

Pathway 1

Get your Drone Operator license in high school

Pathway 2

Northwestern Michigan College

- Unmanned Aerial Systems Certificate

Nationally recognized training center! Class credit if already licensed UAS operator

Pathway 3

Northwestern Michigan College, Engineering Technology: AAS

NMC University Center

- Aviation Management Articulations with Davenport and Ferris

Michigan State University Drones in Agriculture and hands-on drone training

 

Sample Employers in Our Region

Click the logos below to learn more.

TIP

Contact one of these companies and ask for an informational interview, to see if you can job shadow, or to find out if they hire interns.

 

Sample Job Titles...

  • Drone Operator 
 

Hear It From The Pros

10-Year Job Growth Projections

1%
10-County Region
1%
Michigan
1%
U.S.

Employed Regionally

50
In 2021 (Michigan)

Wage Range & Median Michigan

$28,220
$39,590 
$80,810

Annual Hires Regionally

5
In 2021

Other Regional Career Resources

Federal Aviation Administration, Become a Drone Pilot

Learn more about Remote Sensing Technicians at O*NET Online.

Related Careers

Click to explore.

Air Traffic Controller

Real World Career Pathways

It doesn't have to be a straight shot! Hear from people who have taken unique pathways.