The drone industry has rapidly expanded in recent years, creating exciting career opportunities. At Rocket Drones, we are dedicated to training the next generation of drone pilots. We offer educational programs and the only true pathway for students from elementary to high school. As drones become essential in various industries, now is a great time to explore a career in drone piloting. In this article, we will highlight a handful of the latest and innovative applications in the drone industry.
The Soaring Demand for Drone Professionals
As of 2025, the drone industry has experienced a significant amount of growth over the last decade. In fact, the Federal Aviation Administration forecasts that commercial fleet drones will reach a staggering 955,000 registered platforms by the year 2027. This means that the demand for certified, qualified pilots will continue to increase. High school students have a unique opportunity to bypass the traditional 4-year degree and go straight into a field wherein the national average annual salary in the United States is $104,703.
6 New Drone Pilot Careers You Probably Didn’t Know About
If the demand is going to keep rising for certified pilots, so will the jobs. By now, you’ve probably heard of most of the traditional applications for commercial drones. Things like real estate photography and even videography have become commonplace services in everyday society. However, as technology continues to expand, drone operators have continued to come up with new and innovative applications. Here are six new drone pilot careers you might not have known about.
- Agriculture spraying. The transformation of agriculture, particularly in crop spraying, is being driven in part by the use of drones. These high-tech devices are equipped with sensors and spraying systems that deliver fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides with precision over large fields. By flying at low altitudes, they can access hard-to-reach areas that traditional sprayers often miss. This method not only reduces the amount of chemicals used but also helps protect the environment while saving valuable time for farmers. In addition to their spraying capabilities, drones can capture aerial images to monitor crop health. This information enables farmers to identify the best times and places to apply treatments, resulting in improved crop yields and more sustainable farming practices.
- Banner towing & advertising. Drones are becoming a preferred choice for towing advertising banners, offering several advantages over traditional airplane methods. Unlike planes, drones can fly at lower altitudes, ensuring that banners are more visible to audiences at events, festivals, and outdoor gatherings. They also provide greater maneuverability, making it easy to change locations and adjust flight paths based on crowd movement or changing weather conditions. Additionally, using drones is more cost-effective than hiring planes for banner towing, reducing operational costs significantly. Drones require less fuel and lower maintenance expenses, making them an attractive option for businesses. The ability to operate in smaller areas means drones can target urban settings or specific events without needing vast open spaces for takeoff and landing.
- Lifeguard and shark watching. Lifeguards are quickly discovering the benefits of using drones, especially for watching for sharks at the beach. With high-resolution cameras, these devices can fly over the water and easily spot sharks, outperforming traditional methods. This aerial view allows lifeguards to monitor large areas in a short amount of time, helping them detect sharks before they pose a risk to swimmers. This improved technology can also be beneficial for regular scans of the coastal area for search and rescue and potentially spot swimmers who may have become lost. By incorporating drones into their safety measures, lifeguards can respond more quickly to potential dangers, making the beach safer for everyone.
- Mine detection. In mine detection, using drones is becoming very helpful because it provides a safe and efficient way to find landmines and unexploded ordnance. These devices come with advanced sensors and imaging technology that allow them to quickly survey large areas, identifying potential threats without putting human lives at risk. By flying low over suspected minefields, drones capture clear images and data that experts can analyze to locate buried mines. This innovative method speeds up the clearance process and improves accuracy, making drones a valuable tool in humanitarian efforts to create safer environments in affected regions.
- Light show programmer. The entertainment industry is being transformed by innovative light shows that use drones to captivate audiences. In these performances, hundreds of drones equipped with LED lights come together to create stunning visuals in the night sky. This exciting technology relies on skilled programmers who design codes that control each drone’s movements and lighting. Because of this, a career as a light show programmer is emerging, allowing tech-savvy individuals to blend creativity with technical skills. This growing field not only offers artistic opportunities but also opens doors to advancements in drone technology and programming, making it an exciting choice for both new and seasoned pilots.
- Exterior building softwash. The use of drones is transforming the soft washing industry, especially for cleaning tall buildings that are hard to reach safely. These special drones come equipped with special soft washing equipment, allowing operators to clean high-rise structures without needing scaffolding or dangerous ladders. They can apply eco-friendly cleaning solutions to surfaces, effectively removing dirt, mold, and stains while ensuring worker safety. This innovative approach not only makes cleaning safer for crews but also improves efficiency, enabling them to handle tough jobs from the air. This has created a massive amount of potential for power washing and soft washing companies to expand their service lines.
Final Thoughts About Drone Pilot Careers
The demand for skilled drone operators is matched only by the immense growth of the drone applications in the market. As technology and innovation continues, more and more careers will become available and services will continue to expand. There has never been a better time for young students to pursue a career in drones!
The Rocket Drones Difference
You can give your students a foundation in drone education and safety with Rocket Drones. We are the premier provider of drone racing, drone curriculum, and drone career training for middle schools, high schools, and colleges. Founded by industry professionals and drone business leaders with a combined decades of real-world experience and passion, Rocket Drones is truly a program built by professionals for tomorrow’s professionals. Our mission is to expose students to the exciting world of drones and help them develop the skills and certifications necessary to succeed in various technology-related careers.
Get in Touch
If you’re ready to take the next step with Rocket Drones at your school, learn more about it and get in touch with us on our curriculums page.