Sets up and flies swarms of lighted drones that form moving images in the night sky for festivals, sports events and brand launches. BLS does not publish separate figures for surveying and mapping technicians; it counts them within surveying and mapping technician (SOC 17-3031), whose median pay is $54,240 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 17-3031
- Architecture and Engineering
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Drone Light Show Pilot in four numbers
- Median pay
- $54,240a year, or $26.08/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $38KTop 10% $82K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +5.8%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+5.8%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +5.8% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 6,90058,800 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202558.8K
- Projected 203562.2K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 58.8K Projected 2035 62.2K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
Also advertised as: Drone Show Pilot, Drone Show Technician, Drone Show Operator, Drone Light Show Technician, Drone Swarm Operator.
Pay
How much do Surveying and Mapping Technicians make?
Every drone light show pilot in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$54,240
Middle half earn $45,430 to $66,700
- 10th
- $37,520
- 25th
- $45,430
- 75th
- $66,700
- 90th
- $81,630
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $37,520 |
| 25th | $45,430 |
| Median | $54,240 |
| 75th | $66,700 |
| 90th | $81,630 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $54,240
- Median hourly wage
- $26.08/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $58,000
- People employed
- 58,010
Versus all US occupations
At $54,240, Surveying and Mapping Technicians earn 6% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $3,260 a year.
Versus architecture and engineering occupations
Inside the Architecture and Engineering group, where the middle occupation pays $104,110, this is 48% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $81,630 or more while the bottom 10% earn $37,520, a gap of 2.2×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 26% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
California posts the highest raw median ($78,110), but once local prices are taken into account Alaska leads at $75,196 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Surveying and Mapping Technicians 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1California | $78,110 | $70,547 | 3,340 |
| 2Alaska | $76,970 | $75,196 | 300 |
| 3Minnesota | $73,190 | $74,213 | 1,060 |
| 4Washington | $62,720 | $58,610 | 1,030 |
| 5Maryland | $61,600 | $58,690 | 470 |
| 6North Dakota | $60,870 | $68,425 | 160 |
| 7New Jersey | $60,720 | $55,806 | 750 |
| 8Montana | $60,330 | $63,743 | 430 |
| 9Ohio | $60,330 | $65,029 | 1,350 |
| 10Rhode Island | $60,320 | $58,975 | 110 |
Job outlook
Is Drone Light Show Pilot a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +5.8% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | +5.8% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Surveying and Mapping Technicians to change 5.8% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 3,400 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 6,900 openings are projected each year, 11.7% of the 58,800 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become a Drone Light Show Pilot
Pilots need an FAA Part 107 remote pilot certificate, and the show company holds a special FAA waiver that allows one pilot to control many drones at once. Employers train crews on their own software, preflight procedures and emergency protocols. A degree is not required, though technical or aviation backgrounds help.
Most people start as show technicians handling setup and drone maintenance, then become pilots in command after logging shows. Comfort with travel, physical work and calm decision-making is important, and some move into show design or operations management.
- 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)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
The work
What does a Drone Light Show Pilot do?
Drone light show pilots run shows in which hundreds or thousands of small drones, each carrying bright LEDs, fly in formation to draw logos, animations and messages in the sky. Before a show, crews survey the launch site, lay out the drones in a precise grid, check batteries and software, and coordinate with venue staff, airport authorities and safety teams.
During the show, the pilot in command monitors the whole fleet from a ground control station, ready to land drones or abort if wind, interference or a malfunction creates a hazard. Animations are designed in advance by show designers, so pilots focus on safety and smooth execution. After the show, the crew recovers, inspects and packs every drone.
Day-to-day tasks
- Survey launch sites and define safe flight areas
- Lay out, power up and calibrate drone fleets
- Run preflight software and battery checks
- Monitor the fleet from a ground control station during shows
- Abort or land drones when safety limits are exceeded
- Coordinate with venue staff and aviation authorities
- Recover, inspect and repair drones after shows
Typical tasks, researched by NueCareer from the sources below.
Working conditions and hours
Crews travel constantly to stadiums, beaches, parks and festival grounds, working outdoors at night and often on holidays. Setup involves hours of kneeling, lifting cases and placing drones. Weather can delay or cancel shows, so schedules change at short notice.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
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 Comprehension3.6
- Critical Thinking3.5
- Mathematics3.3
- Active Listening3.1
- Monitoring3.1
- Speaking3.0
- Writing2.9
- Active Learning2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 3.6 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.5 |
| Mathematics | 3.3 |
| Active Listening | 3.1 |
| Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Speaking | 3.0 |
| Writing | 2.9 |
| Active Learning | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Complex Problem Solving3.3
- Time Management3.1
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0
- Coordination2.9
- Systems Analysis2.9
- Social Perceptiveness2.8
- Management of Personnel Resources2.8
- Operation and Control2.6
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.3 |
| Time Management | 3.1 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.0 |
| Coordination | 2.9 |
| Systems Analysis | 2.9 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 2.8 |
| Management of Personnel Resources | 2.8 |
| Operation and Control | 2.6 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Development environment software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Geographic information system · in demand
- Graphics or photo imaging software · in demand
- Object or component oriented development software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Process mapping and design software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
“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 Light Show Pilot?
NueCareer estimate (Holland code RAC) built on O*NET's Surveying and Mapping Technician profile, scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Drone Light Show Pilot |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 6 |
| Investigative | 4 |
| Artistic | 3 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 6 |
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.
- Realistic6.0
- Conventional5.6
- Investigative4.0
- Artistic3.0
- Social1.0
- Enterprising1.0
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 Light Show Pilot
O*NET related occupations
- Architecture and Engineering
- Architecture and Engineering
- Architecture and Engineering
- Computer and Mathematical
Geographic Information Systems Technologist and Technician
$116,580median a year
Most earn $56K to $188K
+5.1%Bachelor's - Architecture and Engineering
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
Geological Technician, Except Hydrologic Technicians
$53,350median a year
Most earn $36K to $100K
+3.6%Associate's
More architecture and engineering careers
Median annual pay, with surveying and mapping technicians highlighted
- Aerospace Engineer$134,960
- Electrical Engineer$120,630
- Environmental Engineer$107,110
- Mechanical Engineer$104,110
- Automotive Engineer$104,110
- Industrial Engineer$102,440
- Civil Engineer$100,840
- Architect$99,280
- Drone Light Show Pilot$54,240
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineer | $134,960 |
| Electrical Engineer | $120,630 |
| Environmental Engineer | $107,110 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,110 |
| Automotive Engineer | $104,110 |
| Industrial Engineer | $102,440 |
| Civil Engineer | $100,840 |
| Architect | $99,280 |
| Drone Light Show Pilot | $54,240 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Drone Light Show Pilot appears on
Questions
Drone Light Show Pilot: frequently asked questions
How much do Surveying and Mapping Technicians make?
BLS does not publish a separate wage for surveying and mapping technicians. It counts them within surveying and mapping technician, whose median pay is $54,240 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of that occupation earn between $45,430 and $66,700, and the top 10% earn $81,630 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Drone Light Show 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 Surveying and Mapping Technicians. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training.
Is Drone Light Show Pilot a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5.8% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 6,900 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Drone Light Show Pilot do?
Drone light show pilots run shows in which hundreds or thousands of small drones, each carrying bright LEDs, fly in formation to draw logos, animations and messages in the sky. A typical task: survey launch sites and define safe flight areas. Employers most often ask for Computer aided design CAD software, Data base user interface and query software, Development environment software.
Which states pay Surveying and Mapping Technicians the most?
The highest state medians for Surveying and Mapping Technicians are California ($78,110), Alaska ($76,970), Minnesota ($73,190) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Alaska moves to the top at $75,196.
What personality type suits a Drone Light Show Pilot?
O*NET scores Surveying and Mapping Technicians 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.