Drones are remarkable pieces of technology that allow business owners to accomplish things that were once impractical or outright impossible. We’re going to discuss some of the best drone business ideas.
Along the way, we’ll explain what a drone business is and identify opportunities in the industry. Finally, we’ll answer some frequently asked questions about drones.
You can either keep reading or click on any of the links below to jump to that section:
What is a drone business?
A drone business uses an unmanned aerial vehicle, or drone, to complete tasks and projects. These vehicles are commonly used in military applications, real estate photography, and delivery services.
Many drone businesses require you to register with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the government organization that regulates airspace.
Learn About the Drone Industry
The drone industry is relatively new, and it’s still evolving as technology becomes more advanced. With relatively low start-up costs and the potential for significant earnings, this industry is a great way to work for yourself.
How much can a drone business make?
According to ZipRecruiter, drone operators with the highest pay rates make $175K a year. There’s a general rule that businesses should keep labor costs between 30% and 50% of revenue. In this situation, that would imply drone businesses can make up to $583,333 per employee.
How much does it cost to start a drone business?
Starting a drone business normally costs between $1.5K and $50K. Specific costs include the following:
- Business structure and licensing: $100 to $2K depending on location
- Hardware: $1K to $5K per commercial drone
- Insurance: $500 to $1K annually for general and professional liability insurance to cover damages and operational risks
- Marketing and branding: $500 to $1K for start-up marketing
- Software: $200 to $500 monthly for customer relationship management, editing, and drone software
- Training and certification: $150 to $500 in study materials and exam fees for the FAA Part 107 certification
Some of these costs will vary based on your budget and personal preferences.
How much does it cost to get a drone license?
According to the FAA, a remote pilot license costs $175 for the exam. You can learn more about getting certified as a drone pilot and registering your drones on their website.
Now that we’ve discussed information about the drone industry, let’s look at ways to make money with a drone.
Profitable Drone Business Ideas
Some of these business ideas are remarkably affordable, while others could cost millions of dollars.
#1. Aerial Surveying Business
Starting an aerial surveying business makes sense with a drone. In fact, drones are driving rapid growth in the industry.
Today, the aerial survey services industry makes $22.67 billion. According to Verified Market Research, it’s expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 55.9% through 2031.
Keep reading for more things to do with a drone.
#2. Drone Rental Business
Many people want to try flying a drone before they buy one. Offering drone rental services could be a great business model.
Rentals typically cost between 40% to 90% less than actually buying the equipment. Drone rental businesses collect a deposit to cover repair or replacement if the equipment is damaged.
#3. Drone Retailer
You may find some success as a drone and accessory seller, but the competition is fierce. There are already major players such as Best Buy and Amazon operating in the same space.
You can distinguish yourself with more personal customer service, drone classes, and a better selection of drones and accessories.
#4. Wedding Videography or Photography
Making money with drones can also extend into other industries such as events and weddings. In fact, wedding photography is one of the best drone business ideas.
According to The Knot, a wedding videographer charges an average of $2,300. The full range falls between $1K and $20K since wedding budgets vary widely.
Check out this clip from my wedding below for an example of how a videographer might use a drone at a wedding:
If you liked this video, the videographer has an exclusive deal with Sunset Gardens in Las Vegas. Reach out to them if you’re getting married.
#5. Consumer Drone Manufacturing
A consumer drone business focused on manufacturing drones can be highly profitable. Consumers spend millions on drones every year, and the market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 13.3%.
Consumer drones tend to be lightweight with a remote and a camera. The largest manufacturer is Da-Jiang Innovations.
Keep reading for more drone business ideas.
#6. Sports Videos
Recording sports events with a drone is another great business. It allows a single videographer to cover more space without getting in harm’s way or distracting the athletes.
For example, pretend that you wanted to cover the Tour de France. I can’t imagine how a videographer could cover 2,200 miles without a drone.
#7. Drone Repair Services
Drone pilots and operators often need to repair their drones because they get damaged or need upgrades. Starting a drone repair business is a great way to help drone operators and earn a profit.
Priority 1 Drones is an example of a drone repair business and store. They’re fairly open about their pricing. They normally charge a fee for labor plus parts.
#8. Drone Training Courses
Drone operators need to understand the laws and regulations that govern unmanned aerial vehicles. They also need to learn how to control the drones and attached equipment. That means they’ll need training courses.
You can provide a mix of online and in-person training courses. You might also want to apply to be a certified testing center for the FAA.
#9. Package Delivery by Drones
Companies such as Amazon and Domino’s have been testing drone delivery services in select markets to see how they impact profits. Drone delivery solutions could start offering a similar approach for small businesses as a competitor to DoorDash or UberEats.
#10. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Manufacturing
The drone industry isn’t solely focused on smaller drones for drone photography and other similar services. Certain types of drone operations require heavier, more sophisticated drone technology. Advanced drones with longer ranges are often referred to as unmanned aerial vehicles.
The manufacturers of these vehicles may provide drone technology to militaries, major corporations, and other organizations that need more than what consumer drones can offer.
#11. Drone Advertising and Marketing
Drones can be used for advertising and marketing. Sky Elements is one of the leaders in the drone marketing field. They provide drone shows for events but also offer advertising, marketing, branding, and more within the larger drone market.
Check out their video about how they created a QR code that can be seen across the entire city of Austin:
#12. Pressure Washing With Drones
Pressure washing is a great business, but have you ever thought about how dangerous it is to clean windows on skyscrapers? Drones are changing the pressure washing industry. By attaching a spray nozzle and a hose, drone pilots can now wash hard-to-reach windows and building surfaces from the safety of the ground.
Check out how Drone Wash does it in Colorado:
Keep reading for more drone business ideas.
#13. Security Surveillance
You could also start a drone business focused on surveillance and security services. Drone technology can be used to monitor secure facilities. Unlike traditional cameras, drones can come closer to inspect what’s going on if something looks out of place.
#14. Search and Rescue
Drone services could help with search and rescue operations. You could send out one or hundreds depending on the circumstances and the local terrain.
Drones are much quicker than requesting volunteers for a ground search. Plus, they have additional features like lighting and GPS that can assist with search and rescue operations.
#15. Drone Insurance Provider
Drone businesses have unique risks because they’re one of the few types of companies that are regulated by the FAA. Small businesses that operate drones will need insurance to protect against drone damage, personal injury, and liability.
As a fairly new insurable risk, there’s plenty of room for a small business to develop a reputation in the commercial drone insurance industry.
#16. Warehouse Inventory Management
Imagine a warehouse where people don’t have to go grab each product before loading it in a box for shipping. Instead, they can use drones to grab the products from each row and bring them directly to a packaging station.
This could be combined with drone delivery services to further reduce the time from order to delivery.
#17. Real Estate Sales
The real estate industry uses drone services to take aerial views of properties and neighborhoods. Real estate agents can also use drones to give guided tours to people from out of town.
In remote areas, businesses in the real estate industry may even conduct drone inspections if a property isn’t accessible through traditional means. The number of use cases in the real estate industry will likely grow as drone technology becomes more affordable.
#18. Racing Drone Events and Clubs
Hosting drone racing events or clubs could be a great business. You can charge fees for events and monthly memberships for clubs. Then you can have drone racing prizes that people can win.
Check out the Drone Racing League for an example of this type of drone business idea.
#19. Racing Drone Contestant
While drone racing events are businesses, each individual drone racing contestant can start their own drone business. Participants can win money from racing, get sponsorships, sell branded merchandise, and earn ad revenue from content creation.
#20. Drone Websites and Blogs
Creating a website or blog focused on drone technology can be a profitable drone business idea. This could involve creating content about the drone market or reviewing drone services. Once your site is established, you’ll be able to earn revenue from ads, sponsorships, affiliate marketing, or starting your own online store.
#21. Drone Shows
Are you a creative person who wants a drone business idea that incorporates art or events? You can utilize drones to create awesome shows like the one below. Options include events like football games, music festivals, and firework displays.
#22. Construction Building Inspection
Skilled drone operators can use a drone to inspect construction sites and make sure that everything is up to code. These drone businesses mostly focus on commercial buildings.
Whether you’re starting a new business in the building inspection field or trying to increase your productivity, drones can simplify the process of inspecting hard-to-reach places.
#23. Underwater Inspections
Drone can do more than fly. Underwater drones are perfect for oil rigs, environmental science research, and other businesses that operate under the sea. There are both consumer drones and commercial drones for exploring the depths of the oceans.
Before you get started, you’ll need to make sure that your drones are functional at the depths you need to go.
#24. Fishing Drones
Fishing drones offer a number of advantages over a traditional fishing reel. Drones give you the ability to fish further out or see underwater. There are different types of fishing options on the drone market, including both in-air and underwater drones.
#25. News Media Coverage
News and media outlets also have the need for aerial photography and videography services. You can run your own drone business and sell the footage to the media. You may even be able to do contract work for them depending on your skill set.
#26. Drone YouTube Channel
Whether you’re a drone business owner who wants to market your drone services or just a fan of the technology, YouTube channel is a great way to help draw attention to your drone business.
Want to learn more about starting a YouTube channel? Read our blog where our CEO provides insider information about how we started the UpFlip YouTube channel.
Keep reading for more of the best drone business ideas.
#27. Agricultural Inspection
Farmers can use aerial footage to scan their crops. Many farmers hire an external contractor for aerial imagery because they don’t have the need for a drone full time. However, some may eventually hire an external company to help them set up a more permanent drone monitoring system.
#28. Mapping
According to National Geographic, 80% of the ocean floor has never been mapped. Many parts of the land haven’t been fully mapped either. That means you could consider using a drone to map the rest of the world’s surface as one of your drone business ideas.
You’d probably go down in the history books for mapping more of the world than any other person too. It might not be the most profitable business, but who knows? You might discover resources along the way or team up with a research institution that offers its own funding.
#29. Utility Equipment Inspection
Utility equipment is often in remote places and can go hundreds or thousands of feet in the air. Drones equipped with cameras can make inspection and repair quicker and safer. Consider including drones in your industrial repair company services.
#30. Environmental Monitoring
Environmental scientists can use drones to monitor air quality, wildlife, or water quality. Combine a drone and environmental awareness to help monitor regulatory compliance for conservation laws.
This business opportunity requires a wide range of skills to become successful. If you already have the right mix of experience in data analysis and conservation, you can help make a difference in the world.
#31. Agricultural Spraying
A drone service could be used for crop dusting, similarly to how airplanes are used. Given drones can fly at lower altitudes, the spraying will be more cost effective. You might also want to add crop monitoring devices to your drones to offer two drone services together.
#32. Infrastructure Inspection
Inspecting infrastructure like power lines can be a time-consuming job that requires over 5.5 million miles of travel. You could start a successful business programming drones to fly automatically and record aerial footage.
Pipelines and bridges are other pieces of infrastructure that it makes sense to inspect with drones.
#33. Film and Television Production
Movies and TV shows can use drones for shots instead of CGI. This is a great business idea if you’re in an area with a thriving film industry.
#34. Disaster Response
A disaster response drone business can help survey damage, find survivors, and provide real-time aerial data. Your insights will increase the efficiency of emergency responders during recovery and rescue operations.
You’ll need to learn emergency response protocols and be comfortable working in high-stress environments to be successful in this business. This field can be highly rewarding because you’ll be saving lives and rebuilding communities with other first responders.
#35. Drone-Based Inspections for Insurance
Sometimes insurance companies need to inspect places that are dangerous to physically approach. For instance, a truck in California caught on fire while transporting lithium batteries.
I’d imagine the insurance company would have benefited from using a drone for inspection given the toxic fumes the truck was putting off. Having a drone could help the insurance company establish what went wrong before the fire went out and get their clients’ insurance claims settled faster.
#36. Thermal Imaging Services
Thermal imaging uses heat signatures to identify problem areas. This technology is used in homes and commercial buildings to locate issues like poor insulation or electrical problems.
In addition to drone training, you’ll want experience in thermal imaging and the construction trades to work in this sector.
Keep reading for more drone business ideas.
#37. Forestry Management
You can make money with drones in forest management. Tasks like monitoring deforestation, tracking health, and restoring forests can be performed with drones.
You can also collect data to track and improve your forest management practices. Plus, while collecting aerial footage and data may be your primary service, your drone company can also help with search-and-rescue missions in the wilderness.
Understanding forest management best practices and environmental conservation will help you provide a better drone service in this field.
#38. Event Photography and Videography
We’ve already discussed photography and videography in other industries, but making money with a drone in the event business is also profitable. Every festival I go to, I see people who have brought drones in to record shows.
For those who want to know how to make money with drones at events, you can either charge the event producer or post your videos and make money from ad revenue on social media.
Keep reading for more drone business ideas.
#39. Real Estate Development Planning
A drone business can make money from the real estate industry by surveying land before construction. Professional drone services can collect aerial footage and create heat maps of the land. This information is helpful for construction companies when they’re doing urban planning.
Drone Business FAQ
What uses for drones have become more popular in recent years?
Real estate, photography, and service businesses have been adopting drones in recent years. In addition, the military currently has more drones than jets.
How much does a good drone cost?
Expect a drone to cost between $50 and $10,000. You won’t be able to use a toy drone for business operations, but you can practice with them to get familiar with drone operations.
Drones equipped with cameras start at around $299 and go up to around $10,000. Many drone services will find drones that cost between $600 and $2,000 acceptable.
High-end professional drones may be necessary depending on what drone services you offer. You can expect to pay $3,000 or more for these depending on what the drones are equipped with.
What kinds of companies use drones for photography and videography?
All kinds of companies can use drones for photography. Some of the most common are:
- Weddings and events
- Real estate businesses
- Festivals
- Surveying companies
- Building inspectors
These companies have a huge need for aerial photography because it provides new ways of marketing and completing work faster.
How to start a drone photography business
Starting a drone photography business typically follows this process:
- Complete drone training and certifications.
- Create a drone business plan.
- Buy a drone.
- Set up your drone business legally.
- Create an aerial photography portfolio.
- Find customers.
- Invest in more equipment.
- Expand your drone services.
- Partner with other small businesses.
Check out our interview with Mile High Productions to learn more about starting a photography business using drones:
How hard is it to fly a drone?
Flying a drone is harder than reading this blog but easier than flying a 747. You’ll need to get certified as a remote pilot through the Federal Aviation Administration. There are also federal and local drone laws you’ll need to follow, so make sure to familiarize yourself with them.
- Drone pilot certification: The Federal Aviation Administration is the primary regulator for drone pilots.
- New Jersey drone laws: NJ has its own set of laws governing commercial drone operators.
- Pennsylvania drone laws: This state’s regulations are particularly entertaining to me because they explain that drones “equipped to deliver, provide, transmit, or furnish contraband” are breaking the law.
- Massachusetts drone laws: MA has its own state-specific drone laws as well.
Make sure to check your local area laws to verify whether there are any special regulations about flying drones.
Closing
We gave you a brief overview of what a drone business is, then answered common questions like, “How much do drone pilots make?” We also provided you with other information to understand whether you should start a profitable drone business.
Finally, we discussed 39 different drone business ideas that you may want to pursue. As you can see, there are numerous opportunities for aspiring drone pilots to make a great living.
After you’ve chosen a business idea, you’ll want to create a solid business plan and brainstorm drone company names.
What can you do with a drone? Let us know in the comments below!
