Drone Operator

Holland Code:

Help

Drones overall will be more impactful than I think people realize, in positive ways to help society.

Bill Gates

In A Nutshell

I fly a drone over fields to analyze farm land from above by taking photos and videos.

I use mapping software to create maps that help farmers find high yield zones, assess the soil from above, and plan for irrigation system development.

Using a drone, I can analyze crops to track the health of plants and identify the possible spread of disease.

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Potential Salary Range

$50,000 - 71,000 Annually

Which provinces would this job be in?

Alberta

British Columbia

Manitoba

New Brunswick

Newfoundland & Labrador

Nova Scotia

Ontario

PEI

Prince Edward Island

Quebec

Saskwatchewan

The majority of the work is done from a vehicle, getting to the site and then working from the vehicle with its charging systems. Most days suitable for drone mapping are thankfully beautiful days with low wind and sunshine, so the outdoor time is usually very comfortable. The job also requires some office time, but since the season is short, that's usually in the evenings only.

Workplace

Indoor / Outdoor

Job Requirements & Duties

Conduct pre-mission planning meetings with customers
Develop flight plans, which includes checking for any sign of potential flight hazards and coordinating airspace
Pilot the drone to fulfill the goals of the mission, usually for about 4-8 hours per day
Complete safety risk assessments prior to flight and after-action reviews post-flight
Go through data and present findings to customers in an understandable way
Organize, process, and deliver the data collected and present findings in a report to customers

Education & Training

A college diploma or bachelor’s degree in an agriculture or technology related study, such as crop science, agronomy, or plant science is recommended.
You must have a basic or advanced certificate for drone operation.

Job Outlook

Though this is a new career, there will continue to be jobs involving agriculture technology, as more farmers are using technology to plan fields and monitor crop health.
There will likely be some tough competition from other individuals who are passionate about this unique branch of agriculture.

Related School Subjects

Ed. Prof. et Tech.

Math

Career Education

Science

What words come to mind when thinking about this career?

Drone Technology Crops

Important Skills

Customer Service

Because I work with customers so much, it's important that I can deal with them professionally and pleasantly.

Detail-Oriented

Accuracy to detail is so important for good data collection - and data analysis is a big part of this job!

Independence

A typical workday is spent alone in the field, so being comfortable trusting your own instincts is a must.

Computer & Technological

A drone is a piece of technology, so it helps if you enjoy working with computers and software to diagnose any problems that arise.

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The Best Things About This Job Are…

Independent Work

Work Changes Daily

Opportunity to Travel

Seasonality

Flexible Work Environment

References

Quality Data for Profitable Management. (2018).

Drone Operator Salary

Ag Drone School. (2018).

Disclaimer

All career information has been gathered from a variety of sources and compiled to provide a general idea as to what each career could entail. Agriculture in the Classroom Canada is committed to doing our best to ensure the information is current and reliable. However, we will not be liable for the accuracy of the information. Please contact us if you notice errors or would like to provide feedback.