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Yes, you can fly drones as a side hustle, but in the U.S. you need an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate (Part 107) before your first paid flight.
Once you have it, the most common ways to make money with a drone are real estate photos, roof and property inspections, event video, local business content and stock footage.
Key takeaways
- Get certified first. Any flight for work or business falls under Part 107, so you need a Remote Pilot Certificate. You must be at least 16 to get one.
- The test is the main fee. The FAA says testing centers charge approximately $175 for the initial knowledge test. Registering a drone costs $5 and lasts three years.
- Stay current for free. Certificate holders must complete an online recurrent training every 24 calendar months, and the FAA course is no cost.
- Start where demand is local. Real estate listings, roofers, builders and small businesses near you are the easiest first clients.
- Reviews win jobs. When I hire freelancers, ratings, recent reviews and past work drive about 80% of my decision. A small portfolio of real flights matters more than an expensive drone.
Can I fly drones as a side hustle?
Yes, if you follow the FAA Part 107 rules. Part 107 covers drones under 55 pounds flown for work or business, and it lets you fly on evenings and weekends like any other side job.
The FAA lists “taking photos to help sell a property or service” and roof inspections as examples of non-recreational flights. If someone pays you, or the flight helps a business, assume Part 107 applies.
There’s room to grow. The FAA By the Numbers page lists 837,513 total drones registered and 481,760 certificated remote pilots.
How can you make money with a drone?
Below are 10 drone side hustles, ordered from the easiest to start to the ones that need more gear or extra approvals. Every one of them needs Part 107 first.
1. Real estate photos and video
Agents and home sellers want aerial shots of the house, lot and neighborhood. It’s the most common first drone job because every listing needs photos.
Offer a simple package: 10 to 15 edited stills plus a short video. Ask the agent about the listing date so you can deliver on time.
2. Roof and property inspections
Roofers, property managers and homeowners use drone photos to check roofs, gutters and siding without a ladder. The FAA lists roof inspections as a Part 107 flight.
You take the photos; the roofer or inspector judges the damage. Don’t write repair advice unless you’re qualified to give it.
3. Construction progress photos
Builders and developers like the same aerial shot every week or month to track progress. Repeat visits make this steady side income.
Shoot from the same spots and heights each time, and label files by date so clients can compare them.
4. Event and wedding video
Aerial shots of venues, outdoor ceremonies and sports events are popular add-ons for photographers and videographers. Partnering with one is easier than selling to couples yourself.
Be careful near crowds. Part 107 says don’t fly over people unless they’re part of the operation, except under the operations over people rules.
5. Social media content for local businesses
Restaurants, campgrounds, farms, gyms and venues want short aerial clips for Instagram, TikTok and their websites. Sell a monthly bundle of clips.
Ask for written permission to fly over the property, and check the airspace before every shoot.
6. Stock photos and footage
Upload aerial clips to stock sites such as Adobe Stock and Shutterstock and earn a royalty when someone licenses them. Royalty rates vary, so check each site’s current contributor terms.
If you shoot with the main goal of selling footage, the FAA treats the flight as commercial. Its guidance says frequent sales can show a flight was not really for fun.
7. Drone video editing
Not every client needs a pilot. Pilots and agents also pay for color grading, cuts and music on their aerial footage. BLS lists a 2025 median pay of $75,100 per year for film and video editors and camera operators.
Editing is fully remote, so it pairs well with flying jobs on weekends.
8. Mapping and 3D models
With mapping software, overlapping photos become maps and 3D models for builders, landowners and farms. It pays more but takes practice and a capable drone.
Check your state’s rules before you sell anything labeled a land survey.
9. Farm and crop imaging
Farmers use aerial images to spot problem areas in fields. Photo and imaging flights fall under Part 107.
Spraying is different. Dispensing pesticides or other farm products from a drone falls under FAA Part 137, which has its own certificate.
10. Join a drone pilot network
Networks send you paid jobs, so you don’t have to find clients yourself. Droners.io lets clients post drone projects and get bids from licensed pilots.
Zeitview inspects solar plants, wind turbines, power lines and buildings using certified pilots. Check current pilot requirements on its pilot site before you sign up.
Do you need a license to make money with a drone?
Yes. In the U.S., you need a Remote Pilot Certificate to fly under Part 107, or you must fly under the direct supervision of someone who holds one.
To get it, the FAA says you must:
- Be at least 16 years old
- Be able to read, speak, write, and understand English
- Be in a physical and mental condition to safely fly a drone
- Pass the initial knowledge test, “Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG)”, at an FAA-approved testing center
After you pass, you apply in IACRA and complete a TSA security check. The FAA says it expects to issue temporary certificates within 10 business days after receiving a completed application.
Which rules apply to which drone job?
Scroll sideways to see the full table.
| Situation | Rule to check | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Any paid or business flight | Part 107 | Remote Pilot Certificate, registered drone, follow Part 107 limits |
| Drone 250 grams or more | Registration | $5 per drone, valid for three years; label the drone |
| Any registered drone | Remote ID | Drone must broadcast Remote ID (built in or with a module) |
| Near an airport (controlled airspace) | LAANC | Get airspace authorization before you fly |
| Events or crowds | Operations over people | Depends on your drone category; flying over open-air crowds is limited |
| Higher than 400 feet or beyond line of sight | Part 107 waiver | Request a waiver; the FAA generally responds within 90 days |
| Spraying crops or chemicals | Part 137 | Separate certificate on top of Part 107 |
Outside the U.S., commercial drone rules come from your country’s aviation authority, so check its rules first.
How much does it cost to start a drone side hustle?
The FAA fees are small. The drone, spare batteries, editing software and insurance cost far more, and prices change often.
Scroll sideways to see the full table.
| Cost | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Part 107 knowledge test | Approximately $175 (charged by the testing center) | FAA FAQ |
| Drone registration | $5 per drone, valid for three years | FAA |
| Recurrent training every 24 calendar months | No cost (online) | FAA |
| Drone, batteries, software | Check current pricing | Manufacturer and retailer sites |
| Liability insurance | Check current pricing | Get quotes from drone insurers |
Start with one capable camera drone and a few spare batteries. Upgrade only when a paying client needs something your drone can’t do.
How much can you make with a drone side hustle?
It depends on the job and your area, and there’s no official pay figure for drone pilots alone. The closest BLS data is for photographers: a median hourly wage of $21.47 in May 2025.
BLS notes that aerial photographers may use drones, and that 67% of photographers are self-employed. Its pay data doesn’t include the self-employed, so treat it as a floor.
To set your own price, call three local drone or real estate photographers and ask what they charge. Then quote by the job, and include travel and editing time.
Quick comparison: which drone side hustle fits you?
Scroll sideways to see the full table.
| Side hustle | Extra rules or gear | Who pays | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real estate photos and video | Part 107 only | Agents, home sellers | Your first paid jobs |
| Roof and property inspections | Part 107; zoom camera helps | Roofers, property managers | Steady local work |
| Construction progress photos | Part 107; repeat visits | Builders, developers | Monthly contracts |
| Event and wedding video | Over-people rules | Photographers, venues | Weekend work |
| Local business content | Owner permission | Restaurants, venues, farms | Monthly clip bundles |
| Stock photos and footage | Part 107 if shot to sell | Stock site buyers | Selling clips you already shot |
| Drone video editing | Editing software | Pilots, agents | Remote evening work |
| Mapping and 3D models | Mapping software | Builders, landowners | Higher-value jobs |
| Farm and crop imaging | Part 137 if spraying | Farmers | Rural areas |
| Drone pilot networks | Network requirements | Network clients | Jobs without selling |
Where do you find drone clients?
- Fiverr: list drone footage, real estate aerial packages or drone video editing as gigs, so buyers come to you.
- Droners.io: clients post drone projects and compare bids from licensed pilots.
- Zeitview: inspection work on solar, wind, power lines and buildings; check its pilot site for requirements.
- Thumbtack: list drone photography as a local service.
- Local real estate agents and roofers: email five with a sample video of a home or roof you shot with permission.
I recruit and screen freelancers on Upwork. When I hire, ratings, recent reviews and past work drive about 80% of my decision, so get your first reviews early.
New to selling services online? Our best freelance websites guide compares the main platforms, and easy Fiverr gigs shows how to set up your first gig.
How do you start a drone side hustle?
You can be ready for paid work in a few weeks. Here’s the order that saves the most time.
Pass the Part 107 test
Create an IACRA profile, book the UAG test at a testing center, then apply for your certificate. The FAA lists every step on its become a drone pilot page.
Register your drone
Register at FAADroneZone under Part 107 ($5, valid three years), label the drone, and make sure it meets Remote ID.
Pick one service
“Real estate photos for agents in my town” is easier to sell than “any drone work.” Add services once you have reviews.
Build a small portfolio
Shoot your own home, a friend’s property or a local park where flying is allowed. Five strong clips beat fifty average ones.
Set your prices
Quote by the job, not the hour. Include flight time, editing, travel and any airspace authorization work.
Get your first three reviews
Do your first jobs for agents or businesses you know at a fair price, then ask each one for a short review.
Track income for taxes
In the U.S., the IRS says you must pay self-employment tax if your net earnings from self-employment were $400 or more.
Want more ideas for Saturdays and Sundays? See our weekend side hustles guide, or side hustles for men for more hands-on work.
FAQ
Can I sell drone footage I shot for fun?
Sometimes. The FAA says a later decision to sell footage from a hobby flight doesn’t change that flight. But if your main reason for flying was to sell the footage, it’s commercial and needs Part 107.
How long does a Part 107 certificate last?
To keep flying under Part 107, you must complete the free online recurrent training every 24 calendar months.
Do I need Remote ID for paid drone work?
Yes. Drones that are registered or required to be registered must comply with the FAA’s Remote ID rule, through a built-in system or a broadcast module.
How high can I fly a drone for work?
Up to 400 feet above the ground, or higher if the drone stays within 400 feet of a structure. You also need to keep it within sight.
Can I fly at night for a client?
Yes, under Part 107. The FAA says your drone needs lighted anti-collision lighting visible for at least three statute miles, and night flights in controlled airspace still need an airspace authorization.
Sources (checked 23 October 2026)
- FAA: Become a Certificated Remote Pilot (age 16, UAG test, recurrent training every 24 calendar months, no-cost course)
- FAA: Certificated Remote Pilots including Commercial Operators (Part 107 steps, operations over people, night)
- FAA: Part 107 regulations summary (400 feet, visual line of sight, over people, waivers within 90 days, 10 business days)
- FAA FAQ: Remote pilot certificate cost (approximately $175)
- FAA: How to Register Your Drone ($5, three years)
- FAA: Remote ID
- FAA: Recreational flyers (non-recreational examples)
- FAA memorandum on selling UAS photos and video
- FAA: Operations over people (categories, night anti-collision lighting), LAANC, Part 107 waivers, Part 137
- FAA By the Numbers (837,513 drones registered, 481,760 certificated remote pilots)
- BLS: Photographers (May 2025 median pay, 67% self-employed, aerial photographers; 2025 median pay for film and video editors and camera operators)
- IRS: Self-employment tax ($400 rule)
- Droners.io, Zeitview
What to do next
Book your Part 107 test this week, then shoot three practice clips of places you’re allowed to fly. For more ideas, start with side hustles 101.
