What is the Salary of Drone Pilots in India?

In the contemporary scenario in India, drones are going from strength to strength, which is why drones are becoming popular in various industries. This growing popularity of drones in the Indian industries has surely brought about a transformation because of the many qualities of drones. With the growing demand for UAVs in various industries, the demand for skilled drone pilots is also rising in various sectors. They get lucrative pay for their work and many other benefits to go with it.

Drone pilots have an important role to play in various industries. Since then, the use of drones has gone way beyond the collection of data and analysis. Now, drones are used for irrigation, spraying, and even seeding in agriculture, photography, videography and much more. It is the job of the drone pilots to execute the job they are employed in the industry and also keep an eye on the safe and efficient operation of drones.

This article will shed some light on the following factors

 What are the earnings of drone pilots in India?

 What are the factors influencing the salary of drone pilots?

 What are the other perks and benefits besides salary for drone pilots in India?

Just like any other profession, when you are working as a drone pilot, experience does play a key role in defining the salary range for a drone pilot. Experienced drone pilots can demand a higher salary because of their experience and track record. When one is at the beginning of the ladder, the salary is not what is drawn by a person sitting levels above. But, with experience growth, the salary range also goes up.

Entry-level Drone Pilots

In this bracket, there are generally drone pilots with no to two years of experience in drone piloting. Talking of the salary, you can get a salary in the range of ₹2 lakh to ₹4 lakh per annum. However, with the growth of experience, the earning potential of these pilots also grows. If you have the question, what is the salary of an agricultural drone pilot? Then, to answer it, we can say that in the initial phase, the salary range will span from 2 LPA- to 4 LPA

Mid-level Drone Pilots

With years of experience going up the ladder, drone pilots can be bracketed as mid-level with over two years of experience and up to five years. Their salaries can range from ₹4 lakh to ₹8 lakh per annum.

Understanding that these ranges are approximate and can vary based on market trends and individual negotiations is vital.

To become a successful drone pilot in India, you must have technical, analytical, and knowledge skills. A drone pilot should plan effective flight paths, be mindful of the safety and legality of drone operations, capture data, process and evaluate data using software tools, and generate reports.

Here are some of the factors that influence the salary of drone pilots in India. Let us have a look at them.

Type of Licensing and Certifications for Drone Pilots in India

To initiate a successful drone pilot career, you should possess a Remote Pilot Certificate from a DGCA-approved Remote Pilot Training Organization. This certificate gives the license to propel drones. However, you might also require additional certification, which can also be required. Here are some of them:

• Photogrammetry

This can be defined as the process of making measurements from photographs, particularly to recuperate the exact positions of surface points. Photogrammetry is mainly used in mapping and surveying, as it allows the creation of 2D and 3D models of structures and terrains.

• GIS

GIS is a system made for capturing, storing, manipulating, analyzing, managing, and presenting geographic data. It is used for surveying and mapping with drones, as it allows the thorough scrutiny of the data amassed by drones.

• Remote Sensing

Remote sensing can be termed as the process of getting close to an object or phenomenon without coming in physical contact with the object. This is used for surveying and mapping with drones, as it lets data be collected with the help of sensors, such as cameras, multispectral sensors, thermal imagers, hyperspectral sensors, etc.

These are the supplementary certifications or training you might consider for becoming a drone pilot in India. Though having these in your kitty is not mandatory, it might be contingent on your career goals and interests.

The industry also plays a vital role in defining the salary of drone pilots. Different industries have different requirements for drone pilots.

A drone pilot employed in the defense sector may need intensive training and get a security clearance, facing more challenges than a drone pilot in the entertainment industry. So, the defense drone pilot can get a higher salary as compared to that employed in the entertainment sector. Likewise, a drone pilot who is working in an e-commerce company might have to tackle more regulatory hurdles than one working for an agricultural firm.

Drone pilots are needed today in many industries, such as land surveying, construction agriculture, mining, environmental conservation, and infra development. Each industry has demands and expectations of its own from a drone pilot. This contributes to defining a range of salaries for drone pilots in the country.

The earnings of drone pilots are not just limited to the salary that they draw; there can be additional perks and benefits from the company in which they are employed. These benefits include travel allowances, health insurance, and performance bonuses. Sometimes, there can be opportunities for professional development, such as seminars, workshops, and training sessions to keep drone pilots efficient with the latest advancements and techniques.

There is a growing demand for drone pilots in India because of the numerous advantages of drones. The salary range varies depending on sector, experience, and location. With the continuous expansion of the drone industry, so will the prospects for career growth and earnings for proficient drone pilots.

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