Drone Courses Online—Get Certified and Start Your High-Paying Career

Drones aren’t just for hobbies. They’re serious business. And the demand for skilled pilots is exploding. According to ZipRecruiter, the average drone pilot salary in the United States as of March 2025 is $62.94 an hour or $130,916 per year. That’s a massive wave of opportunity coming straight at you, and you can take advantage of it with drone courses online.

The industry needs certified, skilled professionals. Companies won’t trust their projects to just anyone—they have too much at stake. From infrastructure inspections to aerial mapping, businesses need trained experts who can deliver precision, safety, and reliability.

And you can start your learning process right from the comfort of your home with ABJ Drone academy.

Why Drone Courses Online Are the Smart Choice

Online courses let you train anytime, anywhere. No travel. No wasted time. Just pure learning.

And they are popular. In 2022, the drone training and education market was valued at $0.91 billion, but it’s projected to explode to $18.04 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 34.9%. Online and virtual courses already account for over 40% of all drone training revenue.

What You’ll Learn in Drone Courses Online

Drone laws and regulations – Stay legal and fly with confidence.
Flight mechanics – Master the controls and know your aircraft inside out.
Aerial data collection – Learn how to capture and analyze drone footage, best UAVs and payloads for different operations.
Emergency procedures – Covers what to do when things go wrong – like system failure, crash landings and loss of signal.
Data Processing and Reporting Software – Learn to use tools like Pix4D, DroneDeploy, and Agisoft Metashape for 3D mapping, photogrammetry, and automated flight planning.
GIS and Remote Sensing – Some programs integrate software like ArcGIS and QGIS to analyze geospatial data and generate actionable insights.

Get Certified With Drone Courses Online

The FAA Part 107 test is the bare minimum certification required to fly drones commercially in the U.S. But if you want to stand out, specialized certifications can take you further.

Thermography certification for instance lets you work in building inspections, firefighting, and industrial maintenance by detecting heat variations with drones. Cell tower inspection training gives you the expertise to perform high-precision aerial inspections for telecom companies.

Certifications in mapping and surveying open doors in construction, real estate, and infrastructure projects. These advanced skills don’t just make you more employable—they make you indispensable.

Industries That Are Hiring Certified Drone Pilots Right Now

Here’s where skilled drone operators are in high demand:

Agriculture

Farming isn’t just about soil and sweat anymore. It’s about precision, data, and automation. Drones are helping farmers boost yields, cut costs, and reduce waste. The agricultural drone market is on track to hit $9.89 billion by 2028.

What You’ll Do as a Certified Drone Pilot in Agriculture:

Survey crops to spot disease, pests, and irrigation issues early.
Map soil health to guide planting and fertilization strategies.
Automate spraying for pesticides and fertilizers with pinpoint accuracy.
Track livestock movement and monitor fencing in large ranches.
Provide real-time aerial data to optimize farm operations.

To stand out, you’ll need skills in aerial mapping, thermal imaging, and precision agriculture techniques. Many pilots use Pix4D, Agisoft Metashape, and DroneDeploy for mapping and analysis.

Construction & Infrastructure

Major projects are ditching traditional surveys for drone-powered efficiency. Companies using drones cut costs by up to 20% on big projects. Inspections, progress tracking, and safety checks are faster and more accurate from the sky.

What You’ll Do as a Certified Drone Pilot in Construction:

Create 3D maps and models for site planning.
Monitor project progress with high-resolution aerial photography.
Inspect hard-to-reach areas like rooftops and bridges.
Conduct safety audits to identify hazards before they cause accidents.
Provide live aerial footage for real-time decision-making.

Skills in photogrammetry, LiDAR scanning, and thermal imaging will set you apart. Most drone pilots in this space work with DJI Terra, Autodesk ReCap, and Propeller Aero for site modeling.

Entertainment & Media

Big-budget movies, viral social media clips, and music videos all need breathtaking drone shots. Drone cinematographers earn over $75,000 annually, depending on complexity and experience.

What You’ll Do as a Certified Drone Pilot in Media:

Capture smooth, cinematic aerial footage for films and commercials.
Shoot live event coverage, from concerts to sports games.
Provide stunning real estate videos to sell homes faster.
Assist news teams with aerial footage of breaking events.
Create travel and tourism content with jaw-dropping aerial views.

You’ll need a sharp eye for framing, movement, and lighting. Popular editing and production tools include Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and DaVinci Resolve for post-production magic.

Public Safety & Inspections

Police, firefighters, and search-and-rescue teams rely on drones for fast, accurate situational awareness. Inspections in industries like oil and gas reduce human risk by up over 90% while slashing costs.

What You’ll Do as a Certified Drone Pilot in Public Safety:

Assist in search-and-rescue missions by scanning large areas quickly.
Provide thermal imaging to locate people in low-visibility conditions.
Assess damage and danger zones after natural disasters.
Conduct routine inspections of oil rigs, power lines, and bridges.
Monitor crime scenes and provide aerial intelligence to law enforcement.

Strong skills in thermal imaging, geospatial analysis, and emergency response protocols will help you succeed. Industry-standard software includes FLIR Tools, DroneSense, and Pix4Dreact for real-time mapping.

How to Get Started With Drone Courses Online

Pick a high-quality course – Not all programs are worth your time. Choose one that’s up-to-date, industry-recognized, and certification-focused.
Practice with a simulator – The best way to get better? Fly more. Simulators help you gain skills without crashing an expensive drone.
Prepare for certification – To legally fly commercially you need to pass the FAA Part 107 test. Advanced credentials such as thermography or Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) technique training lead to high-paying specialized roles.
Join a community – Connect with other pilots, share insights, and get support as you build your skills.
Start flying for money – Once you’re trained and certified, start offering your services. Whether it’s real estate, construction, or agriculture, businesses are willing to pay for drone expertise.

Explore specialist drone courses online at ABJ Academy.

If you’re ready to break into an industry with high demand, great pay, and unlimited growth, now’s the time to take action. Sign up for a top-rated drone courses online today and start building your future.

Drone Courses Online—Get Certified and Start Your High-Paying Career