10 Ways To Make Money With a Drone [$500/hr]

Last Updated on January 30, 2024 by John Cirelly

Drones are a ton of fun, but did you know they can earn you some serious cash? I’ll explore 10 ways to make money with a drone, and share how I made $500/hr offering local businesses drone videos for their marketing departments.

Drone Side Hustle Requirments

Before we explore different side hustles to make money with a drone, there are a few requirements to get started.

• Ensure you’re legally allowed to fly the drone in your state.
• Be comfortable flying, recording, and taking photos with your drone.
• Pass the Part 107 Remote Pilot License to fly commercially for profit.

Quick Tips To Make With a Drone

• Drones under 0.55 pounds (250 grams) do not need to be registered with the FAA, making the DJI Mini 3 a great option for side hustlers.
  
• Focus on the value drone footage provides to earn business. For instance, drone footage can help sell high-end homes by making the property appear more luxurious.
  
• Build a portfolio of assets. People want to see your skills, and build a relevant portfolio to get higher-paying clients.

Ways To Make Money With a Drone in 2024

1. Aerial Real Estate Photography

Aerial real estate photography is one of the most common ways to make money with a drone. Essentially, you use your drone to capture stunning photos and videos of real estate properties from the air. You’ll find that agents marketing high-end properties will use drones and high-quality imagery to help sell the home.

Getting started in aerial real estate photography is relatively easy. You’ll need a drone with a camera and the ability to capture high-quality images and video. Additionally, you’ll want to make sure you have the proper licensing and permits to operate your drone commercially.

In terms of how much you can expect to earn, it really depends on your location, the types of properties you’re photographing, and the level of demand for your services. On average, you can expect to make anywhere from $200 to $500 per shoot, which can average out to around $100-$250/hr.

I find the DJI Mini is perfect for real estate shots. Not only does it shoot in HD, but skilled drone pilots can even charge extra for cinematic indoor videos thanks to its small size.

2. Business Projects

Many companies are looking for aerial footage to enhance their marketing efforts, and they’re willing to pay for it. This could include capturing footage of a construction site, getting an aerial shot of a headquarters, or showcasing a new product from a unique perspective.

To get started you’ll need to identify potential clients and market your services to them. Focus on the benefits of what drone photography brings to them. For instance, eye-catching drone footage could improve marketing efforts and increase sales. Networking with local businesses and advertising your services online can help you find new clients.

You could charge anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars per project, depending on the complexity and scope of the job. The key is to build up a portfolio of high-quality work and establish yourself as a reliable and professional drone operator.

3. Land Surveying

Drone technology has revolutionized the field of land surveying, making it faster, more efficient, and more cost-effective. As a drone operator, you can use your drone to capture high-quality images and data that can be used in land surveying projects.

To get started in land surveying with a drone, you’ll need a drone equipped with the necessary sensors and software to capture accurate data. Drones equipped with LIDAR might be useful in this case for topographic mapping. You’ll also need to have a solid understanding of land surveying principles and techniques.

While land surveying jobs aren’t as common as real estate drone jobs, you can charge more per job making it worth your while. Expect to earn between $500-$2000 per project for property surveying.

4. Drone Education Courses

If you’re a skilled drone operator with a passion for teaching, offering drone education courses could be a great way to make money with your drone. Many people are interested in learning how to operate a drone, but don’t know where to start. By offering courses, you can help others learn the basics of drone operation, acquire certification, and even land drone operator jobs.

The beauty of selling drone courses is that you only record your classes once. After that, you’ll continue to make money with each sale. Platforms like Teachable make it easy to record, structure, and market your course.

How much you could earn varies depending on the length and content of the course. You could charge anywhere between $50-$500 per course and still stay competitive.

5. Stock Photography

Stock photography is another excellent way to make money with your drone. By capturing high-quality images and videos, you can sell them to stock photography websites for use in a variety of different applications, including advertising, marketing, and web design.

To get started with stock photography, you’ll need to have a solid understanding of what types of images and videos are in demand. The key to making money with stock photography is producing high-quality images at volume.

You could earn anywhere from a few dollars to hundreds of dollars per image, depending on the platform you use and the licensing terms you offer. Unsplash, Adobe Stock, and Shutterstock are all great platforms to get started.

6. Image Licensing

Image licensing is similar to selling stock photos, but focuses on selling your media to businesses and new agencies. For example, if you have amazing drone footage of a local storm, you could sell the licensing to a local news outlet for a few hundred dollars.

Social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube also offer opportunities for drone operators to earn money through image licensing. For example, Instagram allows you to license your images through its “Brands Collabs Manager” program, while YouTube allows you to monetize your videos through ads and sponsorships.

Finally, there are drone-specific marketplaces like AirVuz and Zeitview that connect drone operators with clients looking for aerial footage. These platforms typically offer a fixed fee for each project, with the fee varying depending on the complexity and scope of the job.

7. Stock Cinematic Video

In addition to stock photography, there is also a growing demand for stock cinematic videos captured by drones. Think beautiful slow-motion shots and gorgeous vistas. These videos are often used in television shows, movies, commercials, and even YouTube to add a unique and stunning aerial perspective.

To get started in stock cinematic video, you’ll need to invest in high-quality equipment, including a drone with a high-resolution camera and the ability to capture high-quality video footage. You’ll also need to develop a portfolio of high-quality videos that showcase your skills as a drone operator and filmmaker.

When it comes to earning money from stock cinematic videos, there are a variety of different channels to consider. Stock video websites like Shutterstock and Pond5 offer a platform for filmmakers to license their work to a wide range of clients. These platforms typically offer a revenue-sharing model, where you earn a percentage of the licensing fees for each video sold.

I have sold some cinematic videos for as much as $2000. Since most cinematic shots will be high up and require high-resolution video, I prefer the DJI Maverick for its longer battery life and flight time.

8. Building Inspection

Factories, bridges, skyscrapers, and homes all need different levels of inspections. Freelance drone pilots can offer property inspections and make up to $500/hr for their services.

To offer these services you’ll need to be a certified drone operator and have an understanding of what to look for, and how to create an inspection report.

9. Music Videos

Another exciting way to make money with a drone is by offering your services to filmmakers and musicians looking to create stunning music videos. Aerial footage captured by a drone can add a unique and captivating perspective to music videos, enhancing the overall production value and appeal.

If you have a love for drones and music, this is really a no-brainer. Drones can provide artists with unique perspectives to keep their fans attention throughout the video.

When it comes to earning money from music video production, there are a variety of different channels to consider. You can offer your services directly to clients, such as independent musicians and filmmakers, or you can connect with production companies and studios that specialize in music video production.

I’ve shot a few music videos for friends and really love the DJI Mini III. It’s nimble, shoots HD video, and even has a follow mode, which is great for tracking the singer as they move around.

10. 3D Mapping & Modeling

By using a drone equipped with specialized software and sensors, you can capture detailed images and data that can be used to create 3D models of real-world environments. Mining, energy, and urban planning all use LIDAR technology to plan their projects.

To get started in 3D mapping and modeling with a drone, you’ll need a drone equipped with the necessary LIDAR sensors and software to capture accurate data. You’ll also need to have a solid understanding of 3D modeling principles and techniques.

Keep in mind that 3D mapping and modeling is a highly specialized field, so you’ll need to have the experience to provide clients with the data they need.

Wrap Up

That wraps up the 10 ways to make money with a drone. I personally enjoy flying my DJI Mini 3 Pro for fun, and picking up random jobs when I want some extra spending money. Do you fly drones as a side hustle? I’d love to hear about it!