New Jersey drone pilots enjoy solid earning potential. According to Salary.com, average salaries range from $51K to $65K, with a median of around $57K for drone operators. For more advanced UAV pilots, averages climb higher—up to $91K, and top-end roles can pay up to $127K annually. Glassdoor reports even stronger figures, citing base wages between $85K–158K, with total compensation like bonuses pushing the median above $112K, and wide ranges from $102K to $190K in the region.

As for actual opportunities, the field spans a variety of niches. Construction-oriented firms like Alpha Aviation in Morristown hire drone operators for mapping, inspections, imaging, and videography. The New Jersey DOT offers full-time UAV pilot roles with total compensation between $59K–109K, averaging about $78K. Freelance gigs are available too—thermal mapping operators in Phillipsburg can pull in $75–150/hr doing part‑time contract work.

Pilot wisdom from Reddit confirms that success often requires bundling drone skills with domain expertise—think inspection, surveying, real estate media, or utility work. One DIY pilot shared:

“The Drone Jobs are Very Seasonal… A lot of companies hire and fire for demand so it can be unstable.”
Another pointed to utilities: “They are using drones with massive success to do inspections of high voltage lines… I would keep an eye on the utilities companies.”

New Jersey offers drone roles from entry-level gig work to well‑paid professional UAV operators. Getting Part 107 certified is the baseline, but real opportunity—and pay—comes when you pair flying skills with specialized industries.

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 New Jersey

PSI Examination Services-Linwood - 222 New Rd, Suite 301. Linwood, New Jersey 08221

U.S. Coast Guard - Air Station Atlantic City - FAA Technical Center, Building 350-T, Egg Harbor Township, Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey 08234

Big Sky Aviation - 2 Thunderbolt Drive Millville Muni (MIV), Millville, New Jersey 08332

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

New Jersey drone pilots can command strong salaries—median annual pay ranges from around $90K statewide (Salary.com average $90,941 as of December 1, 2024) to $135K total compensation in regions like Newark or for specialized roles. Entry-level and gig-based work—think real estate photography, construction site videography, or freelance inspection—typically pays $40K–60K, averaging about $48K–60K for general drone operators .

If you’re looking for steady employment, companies like Skyline Drone NJ are hiring in-house pilots for construction site coverage, aerial photography/videography, and editing roles. Remote, multi-industry gigs are also available through firms like Alpha Aviation, which has openings in Morristown, NJ for mapping, inspection, and media tasks. And government agencies such as the NJ DOT or FAA contractors in Atlantic City offer structured roles as UAS Remote Pilots or Visual Observers, often tied to mapping/GIS programs—a path that tends to balance stability with decent pay.

Beyond salary, pilots report that specialized skills—surveying, infrared thermography, editing, or GIS—are key to standing out. As one Redditor noted, “find utility and telecom companies” and build tech-adjacent credentials to get steady work . In short, New Jersey is fertile ground if you have your Part 107 and pair it with niche skills—whether you're gunning for six figures in high-end projects or steady gigs in construction, real estate, mapping, or government contracts.