Runs the daily operation of a drone delivery hub, managing the pilots, aircraft, loading teams and safety rules that get packages and medical supplies to customers by air. BLS does not publish separate figures for aircraft cargo handling supervisors; it counts them within aircraft cargo handling supervisor (SOC 53-1041), whose median pay is $58,170 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 53-1041
- Transportation and Material Moving
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Drone Delivery Operations Manager in four numbers
- Median pay
- $58,170a year, or $27.97/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $42KTop 10% $92K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +9.2%Much faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+9.2%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +9.2% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 9009,700 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 20259.7K
- Projected 203510.6K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 9.7K Projected 2035 10.6K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school10.2%
- High school64.1%
- Certificate2.6%
- Some college4.7%
- Bachelor's18.5%
Highest education held by aircraft cargo handling supervisors Segment Value Less than high school 10.2% High school 64.1% Certificate 2.6% Some college 4.7% Bachelor's 18.5%
Also advertised as: Drone Delivery Site Manager, UAS Delivery Operations Lead, Drone Fleet Operations Manager, Drone Delivery Hub Manager.
Pay
How much do Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors make?
Every drone delivery operations manager in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$58,170
Middle half earn $49,820 to $78,530
- 10th
- $41,690
- 25th
- $49,820
- 75th
- $78,530
- 90th
- $92,160
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $41,690 |
| 25th | $49,820 |
| Median | $58,170 |
| 75th | $78,530 |
| 90th | $92,160 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $58,170
- Median hourly wage
- $27.97/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $65,010
- People employed
- 9,760
Versus all US occupations
At $58,170, Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors earn 14% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $7,190 a year.
Versus transportation and material moving occupations
Inside the Transportation and Material Moving group, where the middle occupation pays $62,840, this is 7% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $92,160 or more while the bottom 10% earn $41,690, a gap of 2.2×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 30% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
Georgia posts the highest raw median ($81,380), but once local prices are taken into account Louisiana leads at $90,084 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Georgia | $81,380 | $84,513 | 150 |
| 2Ohio | $79,650 | $85,854 | 100 |
| 3Louisiana | $79,460 | $90,084 | 40 |
| 4Colorado | $79,260 | $76,913 | 190 |
| 5Connecticut | $78,770 | $76,025 | 50 |
| 6Virginia | $78,420 | $77,564 | 240 |
| 7Missouri | $76,450 | $84,180 | 100 |
| 8Indiana | $75,880 | $81,304 | 60 |
| 9Pennsylvania | $75,620 | $77,502 | 450 |
| 10Arizona | $74,780 | $74,277 | 220 |
Job outlook
Is Drone Delivery Operations Manager a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Much faster than average. +9.2% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | +9.2% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Much faster than average
BLS projects employment of Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors to change 9.2% over 2025–2035, roughly 2.6× the 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 900 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 900 openings are projected each year, 9.3% of the 9,700 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become a Drone Delivery Operations Manager
Most managers have a background in aviation operations, logistics or military drone programs, often with a bachelor's degree in aviation, logistics or business. An FAA Part 107 remote pilot certificate is usually expected, and experience as a drone delivery pilot or flight operations lead is the most common path into management.
The FAA certifies drone delivery companies to operate under its air carrier rules and is writing new rules for beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations, so understanding aviation regulation is part of the job. Major operators such as Zipline and Wing hire site leads and promote from within as they open new hubs.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
Less than 5 years
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Little or no preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as aircraft cargo handling supervisors.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)64.1%
- Bachelor's Degree18.5%
- Less than a High School Diploma10.2%
- Some College Courses4.7%
- Post-Secondary Certificate2.6%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 64.1% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 18.5% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 10.2% |
| Some College Courses | 4.7% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 2.6% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Drone Delivery Operations Manager do?
Drone delivery operations managers keep a fleet of delivery drones flying safely and on time. They schedule remote pilots and ground crews, monitor weather and airspace restrictions, oversee aircraft maintenance checks, and make go or no-go decisions when conditions change. They track delivery times, flight hours and incidents and look for ways to handle more orders per hour.
Because drone delivery operates under Federal Aviation Administration approvals, managers also enforce the company's safety and operating procedures, train staff, investigate incidents and keep the records regulators expect. They work with retail, restaurant or hospital partners whose goods are being delivered, and handle questions or complaints from the local community.
Day-to-day tasks
- Schedule remote pilots, loaders and maintenance staff
- Make go or no-go decisions based on weather and airspace
- Monitor live flights and delivery performance
- Enforce safety procedures and FAA operating requirements
- Investigate incidents and report them as required
- Coordinate with retail and healthcare delivery partners
- Train new pilots and ground crew
Typical tasks, researched by NueCareer from the sources below.
Working conditions and hours
Managers work at delivery hubs attached to stores, warehouses or hospitals, splitting time between an operations center and the outdoor launch and landing area. Shifts follow delivery hours, often including evenings and weekends, and weather can disrupt plans quickly.
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
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantDealing with customers or the public is very important.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayHandling conflict situations at least monthly.
Cost 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
- Critical Thinking3.8
- Active Listening3.6
- Speaking3.6
- Monitoring3.6
- Learning Strategies3.5
- Reading Comprehension3.3
- Writing3.1
- Mathematics3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 3.8 |
| Active Listening | 3.6 |
| Speaking | 3.6 |
| Monitoring | 3.6 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.5 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.3 |
| Writing | 3.1 |
| Mathematics | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Management of Personnel Resources3.8
- Time Management3.6
- Coordination3.5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.4
- Social Perceptiveness3.3
- Instructing3.1
- Complex Problem Solving3.1
- Systems Analysis3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Management of Personnel Resources | 3.8 |
| Time Management | 3.6 |
| Coordination | 3.5 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.4 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.3 |
| Instructing | 3.1 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.1 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Web page creation and editing software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Inventory management software
- Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain 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 a Drone Delivery Operations Manager?
NueCareer estimate (Holland code ECR) built on O*NET's Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisor profile, scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Drone Delivery Operations Manager |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 5 |
| Investigative | 2 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 6 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around leading, persuading, selling and making decisions, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Enterprising5.6
- Conventional5.0
- Realistic4.7
- Social2.5
- Investigative2.2
- 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 Drone Delivery Operations Manager
O*NET related occupations
- Transportation and Material Moving
- Transportation and Material Moving
- Transportation and Material Moving
- Management
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$107,230median a year
Most earn $65K to $195K
+6.1%High school - Office and Administrative Support
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Most earn $37K to $63K
+1.5%No formal credential
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- First-Line Supervisor of Helpers, Laborers, and Material Movers, Hand · $62,840 median
More transportation and material moving careers
Median annual pay, with aircraft cargo handling supervisors highlighted
- Airline Pilot$232,140
- Commercial Pilot$123,220
- Locomotive Engineer$81,410
- Railroad Conductor and Yardmaster$78,000
- Crane and Tower Operator$68,080
- Flight Attendant$63,580
- Truck Driver$58,640
- Drone Delivery Operations Manager$58,170
- Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector$49,690
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Airline Pilot | $232,140 |
| Commercial Pilot | $123,220 |
| Locomotive Engineer | $81,410 |
| Railroad Conductor and Yardmaster | $78,000 |
| Crane and Tower Operator | $68,080 |
| Flight Attendant | $63,580 |
| Truck Driver | $58,640 |
| Drone Delivery Operations Manager | $58,170 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector | $49,690 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Drone Delivery Operations Manager appears on
Questions
Drone Delivery Operations Manager: frequently asked questions
How much do Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors make?
BLS does not publish a separate wage for aircraft cargo handling supervisors. It counts them within aircraft cargo handling supervisor, whose median pay is $58,170 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of that occupation earn between $49,820 and $78,530, and the top 10% earn $92,160 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Drone Delivery Operations Manager?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors. Employers typically expect less than 5 years of related work experience first. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 64.1% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Drone Delivery Operations Manager a growing career?
Yes, strongly. Employment is projected to grow 9.2% over 2025–2035, more than double the 3.5% projected for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 900 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Drone Delivery Operations Manager do?
Drone delivery operations managers keep a fleet of delivery drones flying safely and on time. A typical task: schedule remote pilots, loaders and maintenance staff. Employers most often ask for Electronic mail software, Office suite software, Spreadsheet software.
Which states pay Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors the most?
The highest state medians for Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors are Georgia ($81,380), Ohio ($79,650), Louisiana ($79,460) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Louisiana moves to the top at $90,084.
What personality type suits a Drone Delivery Operations Manager?
O*NET scores Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors highest on the Enterprising, Conventional and Realistic interest areas, so the work mixes leading, persuading, selling and making decisions with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ESTJ 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.