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Drone Pilot Profession Is On The Rise, With High Demand And Salaries Reaching R$12 Thousand. Companies Struggle To Find Qualified Professionals As Drones Expand Their Functions In Industry And Agriculture.
In an expanding market, the drone sector faces an unexpected shortage of skilled professionals, which is driving salaries up and creating opportunities that few know about.
Although many people see drones solely as tools for filming, the reality is that these devices have become essential pieces in various industries, such as agriculture and oil exploration.
According to the Federation of Industries of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Firjan), the number of workers qualified to operate drones increased by 130% between 2017 and 2022.
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This increase sharply contrasts with the growth of only 14% in the total number of formally employed workers in Brazil during the same period.
The profession of drone pilot is already a reality, but it still lacks qualified labor.
According to a study conducted by Firjan, the average salary of a drone operator is R$8,3 thousand.
However, depending on the area of activity, such as agribusiness, this amount can exceed R$12 thousand, creating a lucrative window for those who wish to enter this career.
The Turning Point In Guilherme Bender’s Life
For many, the universe of drones has provided new career perspectives. Guilherme Bender, who previously worked as a restaurant manager in China, drastically changed his life in 2020.
In an interview with Exame, he shared that he was on vacation in Rio de Janeiro when the Covid-19 pandemic and airport closures prevented his return to the Asian country.
With no options, Bender decided to invest in the world of drones, acquiring a device along with a friend.
Today, he conducts inspections for large industries, such as those in oil and gas, as well as mining. According to Bender, the drone market is vast and diverse.
He stated that he began with simple filming but quickly realized the potential for industrial use.
This change illustrates the versatility of this new profession, which is far from being limited to aerial image capture.
High Demand, Few Professionals
Jonathas Goulart, head of economic studies at Firjan and responsible for the research, highlights that the demand for drone operators has grown exponentially in recent years.
Also in an interview with the cited site, he explains that technological advancements have allowed equipment to be widely used in sectors such as agriculture, monitoring structures, and even inspections of offshore oil platforms.
Adauto Boza Júnior, 24, is also part of this new group of drone operators.
Two years ago, he left his military career and began operating remotely piloted aircraft on a farm in Mato Grosso do Sul.
According to him, the precision of drones has proven to be extremely efficient in agribusiness.
Boza highlights that the demand for his work is so high that he also performs additional photo and filming services, showcasing the flexibility of the profession.
The Impact of Technology on Agriculture and Industries
Drones, initially popular for their applications in photography and filming, now play critical roles in pesticide spraying, thermal soil monitoring, and even maintenance of transmission lines.
Mateus Maia, who worked for nearly a decade as a helicopter pilot, swapped the control of larger aircraft for overseeing drones.
He is the founder of DR1, a company that provides inspection services for major oil and gas companies.
However, he shares a concern: the difficulty in finding qualified professionals.
Maia explains that, although there are many training schools, the courses offered are often short and do not adequately prepare pilots for the market.
With the growing demand, companies like his face constant competition for existing labor, with employees frequently being sought after by competing companies.
Training And Education: What Does The Market Demand?
For those looking to enter the career of drone pilot, there are many training courses available.
According to Guilherme Dias, supervisor of the National Service for Industrial Learning (Senai) in São Paulo, the demand for training has increased as the use of drones began to complement existing professions.
Senai-SP, for example, offers courses in piloting introduction and specific legislation, branching according to the student’s area of activity, be it occupational safety or energy inspection.
In the field, the story repeats itself. According to the National Rural Learning Service (Senar), piloting courses have attracted thousands of new interested parties.
While only 230 students had enrolled in 2017, by September 2024, that number had skyrocketed to 14,000, a direct reflection of the technological demand increase in agriculture.
Gabriel Sakita, technical coordinator at Senar, attributes this growth to the use of drones in pesticide spraying and monitoring rural properties.
Quick But Essential Courses
Those seeking initial training can also find options at the National Commercial Learning Service (Senac), which offers short-duration courses.
Claudio Tangari, innovation advisor at the institution, explains that the mobile classes, besides teaching the fundamentals of piloting, prepare students to work in image capture.
Tangari states that although it is a profession with relatively easy entry, the market demands technical knowledge, both in practice and in regulatory aspects.
The Promising Future Of The Drone Pilot Profession
With the increase in demand and the shortage of professionals, the drone market has become a true goldmine for those seeking a career change.
Whether in agribusiness, industry, or audiovisual production, the growth potential for drone operators seems limitless.
For many, this is a unique opportunity to enter a burgeoning sector, where salaries are attractive and possibilities are vast.
Are you interested in becoming a drone pilot? Your response can help us prepare more articles about paid and free courses on the subject in our upcoming reports. Until next time!
Sim. Tenho interesse no curso de pilotagem de drones.
Tenho interesse
Vontade é o que não falta, já o dinheiro…