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Commercial Drone Pilot Salary in Birmingham, AL — 2026

Commercial Drone Pilot salary data for Birmingham, AL — adjusted for local cost of living. Entry-level to senior pay ranges, take-home pay calculator, and local job market insights.

The median Commercial Drone Pilot salary in Birmingham, AL is $66,240 per year ($5,520/month, $32/hr). This reflects the local cost of living index of 92, which is 8% below the national average.

Also known as: Drone Operator, UAV Pilot, Commercial Drone Operator, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Pilot, RPAS Pilot. Salary data on this page applies to all of these job titles in Birmingham, AL.

Entry Level
$39K
$19/hr
Median
$66K
$32/hr
Senior
$103K
$50/hr
Top Earner
$129K
$62/hr

Commercial Drone Pilot Take-Home Pay in Birmingham

Tax Breakdown (Median Salary)

Gross Annual$66,240
Federal Tax-$6,187
State Tax (4.0%)-$2,650
Local Tax (1.0%)-$662
FICA (SS + Medicare)-$5,067
Annual Take-Home$51,674
Monthly Take-Home$4,306

Living Cost Comparison

Median Rent$1,050/mo
Rent-to-Income Ratio19.0%
Median Home Price$175,000
Cost of Living Index92
City Median Salary$52,800
Commercial Drone Pilot vs City Median+$13,440

Commercial Drone Pilot Requirements

Education
Certificate/Bachelor's
Experience
1-3 years
Job Growth
35.0% (2024-2034)

Key Skills

FAA Part 107Aerial PhotographyGIS MappingInspectionFlight Planning

Birmingham Job Market Overview

Birmingham, Alabama has a population of 197,575 and an unemployment rate of 3.8%. The top industries are Healthcare, Finance, Manufacturing. The local job growth rate is 1.5%, and the average commute time is 25 minutes.

Commercial Drone Pilot Salary in Nearby Alabama Cities

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Commercial Drone Pilot salary in Birmingham, AL?
The median Commercial Drone Pilot salary in Birmingham, AL is $66,240 per year as of 2026. This is adjusted for the local cost of living index of 92. Entry-level Commercial Drone Pilots earn around $38,640, while senior-level professionals can earn $103,040 or more.
How much does a Commercial Drone Pilot take home in Birmingham after taxes?
A Commercial Drone Pilot earning the median salary of $66,240 in Birmingham, AL takes home approximately $51,674 per year ($4,306/month) after federal, state, and local taxes. The effective tax rate is 22.0%.
Is Birmingham a good city for Commercial Drone Pilots?
Birmingham, AL has a cost of living index of 92 (below national average). Commercial Drone Pilots here earn above the city median. The local unemployment rate is 3.8% and top industries include Healthcare, Finance, Manufacturing.
What skills are needed for a Commercial Drone Pilot in Birmingham?
Key skills for Commercial Drone Pilots include FAA Part 107, Aerial Photography, GIS Mapping, Inspection, Flight Planning. Typical education requirement is Certificate/Bachelor's. Valuable certifications include FAA Part 107, sUAS Certificate.
How does Commercial Drone Pilot salary in Birmingham compare to the national average?
The national median Commercial Drone Pilot salary is $72,000. In Birmingham, the adjusted salary is $66,240, which is 8.0% lower than the national average, reflecting the local cost of living.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Commercial Drone Pilot salary in Birmingham, AL?

The median Commercial Drone Pilot salary in Birmingham, AL is $66,240 per year as of 2026. This is adjusted for the local cost of living index of 92. Entry-level Commercial Drone Pilots earn around $38,640, while senior-level professionals can earn $103,040 or more.

How much does a Commercial Drone Pilot take home in Birmingham after taxes?

A Commercial Drone Pilot earning the median salary of $66,240 in Birmingham, AL takes home approximately $51,674 per year ($4,306/month) after federal, state, and local taxes. The effective tax rate is 22.0%.

Is Birmingham a good city for Commercial Drone Pilots?

Birmingham, AL has a cost of living index of 92 (below national average). Commercial Drone Pilots here earn above the city median. The local unemployment rate is 3.8% and top industries include Healthcare, Finance, Manufacturing.

What skills are needed for a Commercial Drone Pilot in Birmingham?

Key skills for Commercial Drone Pilots include FAA Part 107, Aerial Photography, GIS Mapping, Inspection, Flight Planning. Typical education requirement is Certificate/Bachelor's. Valuable certifications include FAA Part 107, sUAS Certificate.

How does Commercial Drone Pilot salary in Birmingham compare to the national average?

The national median Commercial Drone Pilot salary is $72,000. In Birmingham, the adjusted salary is $66,240, which is 8.0% lower than the national average, reflecting the local cost of living.