If you’re looking for a fun business idea that you can do from home, look no further – we’ll show you how to make money with drones.
Once limited to tech enthusiasts and the military, drones (also known as unmanned aerial vehicles or UAVs) have become pretty mainstream in recent years — in fact, big companies like Walmart and Amazon have plans to use them for deliveries.
As the drone market continues to grow, so do the opportunities to make money with drones. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just getting started, now’s the perfect time to take advantage of this fast-growing industry. There are lots of ways to make money with drones, and here are just a few of them:
1. Aerial photography and videography
One of the most common ways to make money with UAVs is by offering drone aerial photography and videography services, with these images available to sell as prints on Etsy or upload to stock photography websites such as Shutterstock or Getty Images.
Many of these sites allow drone photography by both amateurs and professionals. Every time someone buys your amazing aerial photos or video shots from the website, you earn a commission. For a complete list of stock photo sites, check out this list.
2. Weddings and special events
Outdoor weddings are a great opportunity for drone operators, with many couples willing to pay a high price for amazing aerial footage of themselves, the venue, and their attendees.
The key to success as a wedding drone photographer is to focus on long shots and unique aerial angles that allow you to capture special moments without disturbing your guests.
3. Resort advertising
Drones have become the latest tool for promoting resort properties. They offer a unique perspective, giving potential guests a real feel for what your resort has to offer. They can also create amazing aerial shots that wouldn’t be possible any other way.
4. Elite Drone Racing
Believe it or not, you can make a decent living by becoming a professional drone racer. The Drone Racing League is a drone racing company that holds first-person view (FPV) drone racing competitions around the world. Drones stream video to the racers as they attempt to complete various race courses as quickly as possible.
To be honest, it’s not easy to get recognized as a professional pilot in DRL, but once you are recognized, you can make a living from it. Elite pilots can get contracts of up to $100,000.
5. Sales of drone products and accessories
If you’re not interested in selling drone footage, you can always make money by selling drone-related products. You can sell the drones themselves, or just the parts and accessories.
If you can find a supplier who can buy new models at a lower price, you can resell them for a significantly higher price by listing them on a platform like DroneTrader or your own online store. You can also sell your products and services through popular online marketplaces like eBay and Craigslist.
6. Real Estate Photography
The real estate industry is seeing huge adoption of UAV technology. According to Sold By Air, 83% of home sellers prefer their real estate agent to use drones. Drones are used to take aerial photos and videos of properties, giving potential buyers a unique bird’s-eye view of the property. They are also used for property mapping, aerial surveys, and roof inspections.
To get started as a real estate drone photographer, start by contacting real estate agents and offering them a free photo and videography session. If they like the images you capture, they may invite you to list more properties and conduct inspections.
7. Farm Surveillance
Another great way to make money with drones is by providing services to farmers. For example, drones are often used to inspect crops, helping farmers better assess yields and make decisions about irrigation, planting, and fertilization.
Surveying isn’t the only thing farmers use drones for: they’re also used to locate cattle, spray pesticides, and track crop growth. Agricultural drones typically require specialized equipment, such as infrared video capabilities, to help farmers determine the health of their crops.
8. Drone delivery service
Drone delivery is the future. It’s fast, efficient, and doesn’t get stuck in traffic. Amazon has already started using drone delivery for their Prime Air delivery service. Drone delivery services allow you to earn money by delivering products to your customers quickly and efficiently.
For this type of business, you will need to choose a drone with GPS and autonomous flight capabilities. Then, decide what goods you will deliver. (Most drones cannot carry heavy loads, so we recommend limiting yourself to documents and small items.)
9. Music Video
Drones are quickly becoming a staple in music videos, providing aerial shots that were once only possible with helicopters and cranes, making them a popular choice among music video directors. Use your expertise as a drone operator to bring the director’s vision to life.
10. Security and Surveillance Services
Drones are becoming increasingly popular for public safety and surveillance purposes. They offer a cost-effective and flexible solution for monitoring large areas and can be equipped with a variety of cameras and sensors to suit the needs of the monitored area. Another major advantage is that they can be operated remotely, reducing the risk of human exposure.
The job requires a drone with a high-resolution camera, preferably with thermal imaging capabilities.
11. Drone Coaching
Research shows that the commercial drone industry could grow by more than 7.7% over the next few years, so this is a great opportunity for entrepreneurs who want to make money by teaching others how to fly drones. As a drone instructor, you can offer your services to anyone, from hobbyists to businesses. Drone coaches can teach in a variety of ways, including video courses and one-on-one sessions.
12. Start a drone YouTube channel
A unique way to make money with drones is to start a drone-related YouTube channel. For example, Ed Ricker is a YouTuber with over 180,000 subscribers. His channel features drone footage and educational content about drones.
Once you reach 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours, you can apply to join the YouTube Partner Programme, which allows you to monetise your channel through ads, channel memberships and, if your audience is large enough, you can even earn money through sponsorships and affiliate links for drone-related products and services.
How much can you earn with a drone?
Drone operators can work part-time or full-time, and salaries within the industry typically range from $50 to $250 per hour. Some drone pilots even earn six figures per year.
It’s worth noting that most drone pilots who earn a full-time income are well established in a specific niche – for example, their business is construction projects, industrial inspections, education, etc.
How to get started with drones
Now that you know how to make money with drones, you might be wondering how to get started. Here are some tips to keep in mind when setting up your drone business:
Choosing the right drone for the job
Not all drones are created equal. For starters, you need a commercial drone with 1080p or 4K video capable of capturing 12MP images or higher. Bitrates should be around 100Mbps. Professional drones are expensive, costing over $2,000. But it’s worth the investment if you want to provide your customers with high-quality images and videos.
Professional drones can be found at Best Buy and Amazon, and with good reviews on Amazon, the DJI Mavic 3 seems like a solid choice.
Obtain training and FAA license
If you are new to drone flying, it is essential that you undergo training and become a certified remote pilot before starting your business. You can take an online course or find a drone coach to teach you how to fly a drone effectively.
Secondly, you will need to familiarize yourself with your state’s regulations to stay in compliance when running a UAV business. You can obtain a Section 107 certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration website.
Get insurance
If you operate a drone for business purposes, it is essential to have liability insurance. Drone insurance can help protect you financially if your drone crashes and damages someone else’s property.
Create a portfolio
When you’re starting out, it’s important to create a portfolio of your work to let potential clients know what you’re capable of. You can do this by setting up a website and creating social media pages dedicated to your drone business.
Promote your drone business and find customers
Now comes the fun part: getting clients and making money! There are a few ways to find drone pilot work.
networking
One of the best ways to find clients is to network with other businesses in your area. Attend local business, wedding and real estate events and introduce yourself as a drone operator.
Social Media
Increase your chances of making connections by listing your drone-related services on your LinkedIn and Facebook profiles.
Job board
There are plenty of general job boards that list drone pilot jobs, including Indeed.com and LinkedIn. You can also check out websites with job boards specifically for drone pilots, such as:
Free stock photo websites
You can generate leads by uploading your drone images and videos to sites like Pixabay and Unsplash. You won’t get paid to upload your work to these sites, but they may lead to clients. For example, many drone operators find that posting their photos for free can bring in inquiries from people looking to work in drone-related roles.
Summary of how to make money with drones
Working with drones requires some upfront training and investment, but it can be fun and lucrative. Whether you’re delivering goods, conducting surveillance or taking breathtaking aerial photos, there are plenty of ways to turn drones into a side hustle or a full-fledged business.
If you have a knack for technology and an entrepreneurial spirit, you could make a six-figure income with a drone business. The possibilities are endless!
Originally published on June 8, 2022. Content updated June 2024.
