Commercial Drone Pilot Salary in Broken Arrow, OK — 2026
Commercial Drone Pilot salary data for Broken Arrow, OK — 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 Broken Arrow, OK is $63,360 per year ($5,280/month, $30/hr). This reflects the local cost of living index of 88, which is 12% 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 Broken Arrow, OK.
Commercial Drone Pilot Take-Home Pay in Broken Arrow
Tax Breakdown (Median Salary)
| Gross Annual | $63,360 |
| Federal Tax | -$5,423 |
| State Tax (4.5%) | -$2,851 |
| FICA (SS + Medicare) | -$4,847 |
| Annual Take-Home | $50,239 |
| Monthly Take-Home | $4,187 |
Living Cost Comparison
Commercial Drone Pilot Requirements
Key Skills
Broken Arrow Job Market Overview
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma has a population of 113,540 and an unemployment rate of 2.5%. The top industries are Manufacturing, Healthcare, Energy. The local job growth rate is 2.0%, and the average commute time is 23 minutes.
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Salary Percentile Breakdown — Commercial Drone Pilot in Broken Arrow
Based on the cost-of-living-adjusted distribution for Commercial Drone Pilot in Broken Arrow, OK, here's how earnings break down across the workforce:
| Percentile | Annual Salary | Hourly Equivalent | Career Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th (lowest) | $36,960 | $18/hr | Entry-level, < 1 yr exp. |
| 25th | $50,160 | $24/hr | Junior, 1-3 yrs exp. |
| 50th (median) | $63,360 | $30/hr | Mid-career, 1-3 years |
| 75th | $98,560 | $47/hr | Senior, 5-10 yrs exp. |
| 90th (top) | $123,200 | $59/hr | Lead/Principal, 10+ yrs |
Percentiles estimated using a log-normal salary distribution model calibrated to Commercial Drone Pilot compensation data. Top earners (P90) typically include managers, specialists with rare skills, or those at high-paying employers in Broken Arrow's Manufacturing sector.
5-Year Salary Trajectory
Commercial Drone Pilot salaries in Broken Arrow have grown approximately 25.0% over the past 5 years, outpacing local CPI inflation in many cases. Here's the historical and projected trajectory:
Year-over-year, an average Commercial Drone Pilot can expect a 21.7% annual increase moving from entry to senior level over 5 years in Broken Arrow. Negotiation, certifications (FAA Part 107, sUAS Certificate), and changing employers strategically can accelerate this trajectory.
Broken Arrow vs National Average
The national median Commercial Drone Pilot salary is $72,000. In Broken Arrow, the cost-of-living-adjusted median of $63,360 is 12.0% below the national figure. This reflects Broken Arrow's cost of living index of 88 (lower than the national average of 100).
For Commercial Drone Pilots, this means: rent typically consumes 25.1% of take-home pay (households spending >30% are considered affordable), and a median home in Broken Arrow costs about 4.6× annual take-home. Homeownership is relatively attainable on this salary in Broken Arrow.
Industry Context: Manufacturing in Broken Arrow
Broken Arrow's economy is anchored by Manufacturing, Healthcare, Energy, with 113,540 residents and 2.5% unemployment as of 2026. Commercial Drone Pilots working in the Manufacturing sector typically earn at or above the local median due to industry-specific demand. The state's overall job growth rate is 2.0%, and Commercial Drone Pilot occupations specifically are projected to grow 35.0% nationally through 2034 (BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook).
Methodology & Data Sources
How we calculate Commercial Drone Pilot salaries in Broken Arrow, OK:
- Base salary model starts with Salario occupation data and public wage references, including BLS OEWS and O*NET when a direct or related occupational crosswalk is available. For niche titles, we do not treat a broader SOC family as an exact job-title wage.
- Cost-of-living adjustment applied using the Broken Arrow index of 88 relative to the national baseline of 100, with local rent, home price, unemployment, and tax inputs checked separately.
- Percentile distribution (P10-P90) estimated from the entry, median, senior, and top compensation tiers in the Salario salary model rather than claimed as exact employer payroll data.
- Take-home pay calculated using 2026 federal tax brackets (10%-37%), OK state income tax of 4.5%, and FICA (Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45%).
- Tax brackets and standard deduction ($16,100 single filer for tax year 2026) sourced from IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 and updated annually.
Authoritative data sources:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — national and metro-area salary data
- O*NET OnLine — occupation tasks, alternate job titles, skills, and SOC crosswalks
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — occupation outlook where a matching profile is available
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation and cost-of-living data
- U.S. Census Bureau — Broken Arrow QuickFacts — population and demographic data
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary — 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Broken Arrow unemployment rate
Last reviewed: 2026. Salary data updated annually as new BLS releases become available. Commercial Drone Pilot salaries can vary significantly based on employer, sector (Manufacturing vs others in Broken Arrow), specific skill set (FAA Part 107, Aerial Photography, GIS Mapping), and individual negotiation. Always verify current compensation through multiple sources before making career decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Commercial Drone Pilot salary in Broken Arrow, OK?
How much does a Commercial Drone Pilot take home in Broken Arrow after taxes?
Is Broken Arrow a good city for Commercial Drone Pilots?
What skills are needed for a Commercial Drone Pilot in Broken Arrow?
How does Commercial Drone Pilot salary in Broken Arrow compare to the national average?
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Commercial Drone Pilot salary in Broken Arrow, OK?
The median Commercial Drone Pilot salary in Broken Arrow, OK is $63,360 per year as of 2026. This is adjusted for the local cost of living index of 88. Entry-level Commercial Drone Pilots earn around $36,960, while senior-level professionals can earn $98,560 or more.
How much does a Commercial Drone Pilot take home in Broken Arrow after taxes?
A Commercial Drone Pilot earning the median salary of $63,360 in Broken Arrow, OK takes home approximately $50,239 per year ($4,187/month) after federal, state, and local taxes. The effective tax rate is 20.7%.
Is Broken Arrow a good city for Commercial Drone Pilots?
Broken Arrow, OK has a cost of living index of 88 (below national average). Commercial Drone Pilots here earn above the city median. The local unemployment rate is 2.5% and top industries include Manufacturing, Healthcare, Energy.
What skills are needed for a Commercial Drone Pilot in Broken Arrow?
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 Broken Arrow compare to the national average?
The national median Commercial Drone Pilot salary is $72,000. In Broken Arrow, the adjusted salary is $63,360, which is 12.0% lower than the national average, reflecting the local cost of living.