Kentucky’s drone scene is coming into its own. With commercial drone operators averaging ~$48–50K in places like Lexington and Louisville ($44K–50K range) and top earners pushing into the low $60Ks, the pay’s respectable. Opportunities span from surveying and mapping to industrial inspections, construction, and infrastructure monitoring—Hinkle Contracting in Lexington, for instance, is hiring operations drone pilots to handle flyovers of quarries and asphalt plants. Plus, services like Droners.io list part‑107‑certified pilots right here in Frankfort and beyond, doing gigs from real estate and weddings to agriculture at rates of $60–125/hr. So if you’re already flying and have your license, there’s real shot at solid work—especially if you specialize.

That said, don’t expect pure drone‑pilot roles to be plentiful. Online discussions stress that drones are tools—most consistent gigs happen when pilots bundle drones with other skills like surveying, inspections (e.g., solar panels, cell towers, roof damage), or media production. In eastern Kentucky, even high schools are prepping students for drone‑driven careers via FAA‑certified programs and drone‑port initiatives. Bottom line: if you want real stability and upward pay, marry drone flying with expertise in fields like civil engineering, agriculture, emergency response, or media. Yes, you can chase standalone gigs—just expect them to be irregular unless you're a specialist with a portfolio and network.

The FAA Part 107 certification and the TRUST (The Recreational UAS Safety Test) serve different purposes for different types of drone pilots. The Part 107 certification is required for commercial drone operations in the United States and involves passing a comprehensive knowledge exam that covers topics such as airspace classifications, weather, regulations, and emergency procedures. It is designed for individuals who intend to use drones for business, professional services, or any non-recreational purpose. In contrast, the TRUST test is a free, simple, online safety test required for recreational drone pilots. It focuses on basic safety guidelines and regulations for flying drones as a hobbyist. While the Part 107 certification is administered through FAA-approved testing centers and must be renewed every two years, the TRUST test is taken through FAA-approved online providers and only needs to be completed once.

FAA Part 107 Training Course - can be found in a Search

FAA Part 107 Testing facility in Kentucky

Lexington Testing Center - 163 East Main Street STE 401, Lexington, Kentucky 40507

NexGen Aviation LLC - 4144 Aviator Rd, Lexington, Kentucky 40510

Louisville Aviation - 2700 Gast Blvd, Louisville, Kentucky 40205

TRUST Test https://trust.pilotinstitute.com/ 

In Kentucky, the drone industry is buzzing with diverse job opportunities - from entry-level gigs to specialized professional roles. In Lexington, drone operators can expect median salaries around $48,700, with typical earnings ranging from $43K–55K, and top earners reaching $61K annually. Local employers like CRH’s Hinkle Contracting are hiring Operations Drone Pilots to fly drones for surveying stockpiles, inspecting infrastructure, and collecting data across quarries and construction sites. Louisville-based firms also recruit pilots for tasks like telecommunication tower inspections, where contractors offer drone services for telecom and insurance sectors. Across the state, roles span municipal work, agriculture, thermal surveying, real estate, and public safety. Plus, growth in specialist roles—like AI-driven drone systems, cybersecurity, and wildlife-recovery missions—signals evolving pathways for pilots who upskill in photogrammetry, GIS, and remote sensing. Whether part‑time gigs through platforms like Indeed or full-time industry roles, Kentucky’s drone job landscape is growing—and pay reflects both flying skill and additional technical chops.