Flies drones that spray crops, spread seed and map fields, combining FAA drone certification with pesticide applicator licensing. BLS does not publish separate figures for pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators, vegetation; it counts them within pesticide handler, sprayer, and applicator, vegetation (SOC 37-3012), whose median pay is $46,340 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 37-3012
- Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Agricultural Drone Pilot in four numbers
- Median pay
- $46,340a year, or $22.28/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $36KTop 10% $61K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +3.9%About as fast as averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+3.9%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +3.9% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 3,30025,700 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202525.7K
- Projected 203526.7K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 25.7K Projected 2035 26.7K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
Also advertised as: Spray Drone Operator, Ag Drone Operator, Drone Applicator, UAS Agricultural Applicator, Crop Spraying Drone Pilot.
Pay
How much do Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation make?
Every agricultural drone pilot in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$46,340
Middle half earn $39,160 to $51,240
- 10th
- $35,570
- 25th
- $39,160
- 75th
- $51,240
- 90th
- $61,420
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $35,570 |
| 25th | $39,160 |
| Median | $46,340 |
| 75th | $51,240 |
| 90th | $61,420 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $46,340
- Median hourly wage
- $22.28/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $47,070
- People employed
- 27,050
Versus all US occupations
At $46,340, Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation earn 9% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $4,640 a year.
Versus building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations
The median is typical for the Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance group, where the middle occupation pays $46,340.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $61,420 or more while the bottom 10% earn $35,570, a gap of 1.7×. That is a narrow spread, so experience and employer move pay less than in most occupations.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 14% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Massachusetts pays the most at $62,980, and still leads at $59,552 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Massachusetts | $62,980 | $59,552 | N/A |
| 2Delaware | $54,190 | $54,294 | 40 |
| 3Oregon | $51,590 | $49,912 | 290 |
| 4Hawaii | $51,240 | $46,603 | 60 |
| 5North Dakota | $50,490 | $56,756 | 280 |
| 6Ohio | $50,060 | $53,959 | 490 |
| 7Wyoming | $49,190 | $53,069 | 120 |
| 8Kansas | $49,090 | $54,503 | 520 |
| 9Minnesota | $49,030 | $49,716 | 950 |
| 10Pennsylvania | $48,870 | $50,086 | 360 |
Job outlook
Is Agricultural Drone Pilot a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
About as fast as average. +3.9% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation | +3.9% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
About as fast as average
BLS projects employment of Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation to change 3.9% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 1,000 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 3,300 openings are projected each year, 12.8% of the 25,700 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become an Agricultural Drone Pilot
Pilots need an FAA Part 107 remote pilot certificate, and dispensing agricultural products requires operating under an Agricultural Aircraft Operator Certificate under 14 CFR Part 137, plus exemptions for heavier spray drones. Applying restricted use pesticides also requires a state commercial pesticide applicator license with an aerial category in many states.
No degree is required. Many pilots come from farming, ag retail or aerial application backgrounds, and drone manufacturers and dealers provide equipment training. University extension programs publish guidance on spray drone operations and regulations. Some pilots first work for a custom applicator before starting their own business.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Little or no preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
The work
What does an Agricultural Drone Pilot do?
Agricultural drone pilots use unmanned aircraft to apply pesticides, fungicides, fertilizer and cover crop seed, especially on small or irregular fields, wet ground and hillsides where tractors and airplanes struggle. They plan flight paths, calibrate spray rates and droplet size, mix and load products, and monitor the drone during automated flights.
Many also fly mapping drones with multispectral cameras to spot crop stress, weeds or uneven emergence, then share maps with agronomists. Pilots work for custom application businesses, agricultural retailers and large farms, and some run their own operations, handling customer scheduling, weather decisions, equipment maintenance and application records.
Day-to-day tasks
- Plan flight paths and application maps for fields
- Calibrate spray rates and nozzle settings
- Mix and load pesticides and fertilizers safely
- Fly and monitor drones during automated applications
- Check weather and drift conditions before each flight
- Capture aerial imagery to map crop health
- Maintain drones, batteries and application records
Typical tasks, researched by NueCareer from the sources below.
Working conditions and hours
Work is outdoors in fields during spraying seasons, often starting at dawn when winds are calm. The job involves hauling batteries, generators and chemicals, wearing protective equipment, and long days during peak season, with slower periods in winter. Pilots often travel between farms within a region, carrying their drones and equipment on a truck or trailer.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather at least weekly.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension2.9
- Active Listening2.9
- Critical Thinking2.9
- Speaking2.8
- Monitoring2.6
- Writing2.5
- Active Learning2.5
- Mathematics2.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 2.9 |
| Active Listening | 2.9 |
| Critical Thinking | 2.9 |
| Speaking | 2.8 |
| Monitoring | 2.6 |
| Writing | 2.5 |
| Active Learning | 2.5 |
| Mathematics | 2.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Operations Monitoring3.0
- Time Management3.0
- Social Perceptiveness2.9
- Operation and Control2.9
- Judgment and Decision Making2.9
- Coordination2.8
- Complex Problem Solving2.6
- Service Orientation2.5
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 2.9 |
| Operation and Control | 2.9 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 2.9 |
| Coordination | 2.8 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.6 |
| Service Orientation | 2.5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Web page creation and editing software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Geographic information system
- Inventory management software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits an Agricultural Drone Pilot?
NueCareer estimate (Holland code RCI) built on O*NET's Pesticide Handler, Sprayer, and Applicator, Vegetation profile, scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Agricultural Drone Pilot |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 4 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic6.5
- Conventional4.3
- Investigative3.5
- Social1.9
- Enterprising1.4
- Artistic1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Agricultural Drone Pilot
O*NET related occupations
- Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance
Pesticide Handler, Sprayer, and Applicator, Vegetation
$46,340median a year
Most earn $36K to $61K
+3.9%High school - Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker
$39,150median a year
Most earn $31K to $57K
+4.7%No formal credential - Farming, Fishing, and Forestry
- Production
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator
$60,020median a year
Most earn $39K to $91K
−5.7%High school - Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance
- Transportation and Material Moving
Cleaner of Vehicles and Equipment
$35,830median a year
Most earn $27K to $48K
+3.9%No formal credential
More building and grounds cleaning and maintenance careers
Median annual pay, with pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators, vegetation highlighted
- First-Line Supervisor of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers$58,430
- Sports Turf Manager$58,430
- Tree Trimmer and Pruner$50,960
- Consulting Arborist$50,960
- Utility Line Clearance Arborist$50,960
- Agricultural Drone Pilot$46,340
- Pest Control Worker$45,250
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker$39,150
- Janitor and Cleaner, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$36,840
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisor of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers | $58,430 |
| Sports Turf Manager | $58,430 |
| Tree Trimmer and Pruner | $50,960 |
| Consulting Arborist | $50,960 |
| Utility Line Clearance Arborist | $50,960 |
| Agricultural Drone Pilot | $46,340 |
| Pest Control Worker | $45,250 |
| Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker | $39,150 |
| Janitor and Cleaner, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $36,840 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Agricultural Drone Pilot appears on
Questions
Agricultural Drone Pilot: frequently asked questions
How much do Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation make?
BLS does not publish a separate wage for pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators, vegetation. It counts them within pesticide handler, sprayer, and applicator, vegetation, whose median pay is $46,340 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of that occupation earn between $39,160 and $51,240, and the top 10% earn $61,420 or more.
Do you need a degree to become an Agricultural Drone Pilot?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training.
Is Agricultural Drone Pilot a growing career?
It is stable rather than fast-growing: employment is projected to change 3.9% over 2025–2035, about the same as the 3.5% projected across all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 3,300 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does an Agricultural Drone Pilot do?
Agricultural drone pilots use unmanned aircraft to apply pesticides, fungicides, fertilizer and cover crop seed, especially on small or irregular fields, wet ground and hillsides where tractors and airplanes struggle. A typical task: plan flight paths and application maps for fields. Employers most often ask for Electronic mail software, Office suite software, Operating system software.
Which states pay Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation the most?
The highest state medians for Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation are Massachusetts ($62,980), Delaware ($54,190), Oregon ($51,590) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits an Agricultural Drone Pilot?
O*NET scores Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation highest on the Realistic, Conventional and Investigative interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.