LensBetaHire a drone pilot in Irving, TX
Find drone pilots who work in Irving and across Dallas-Fort Worth, see what the work costs, and price a full crew in one quote.
Drone pilots in Irving
Lens is new and no drone pilots list Irving yet.
Are you a drone pilot in Irving? List yourself or your production team on Lens. Free to start, no pay-per-lead.
What a drone pilot costs in Irving and Dallas-Fort Worth
Prices below come from published price guides and federal wage data, with the source on every line. "Dallas" means the figure is specific to the Dallas market; "National" means a US-wide guide. Use them to sanity-check quotes, then ask each pro for a written quote.
| What | Range | Market | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerial photography, hourly | $200 to $400 an hour; rush work $400 to $500 | National | Skyebrowse, drone photography cost (national, March 2026) |
| Residential real estate package | $150 to $350 | National | Skyebrowse, drone photography cost (national, March 2026) |
| Commercial property | $500 to $2,000 or more | National | Skyebrowse, drone photography cost (national, March 2026) |
| Aerial photography job | $233 to $475, average $333 | National | Thumbtack, photographer cost guide (national) |
The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish a separate wage series for drone pilots, so no federal wage benchmark is shown for this role.
On Lens, each Team Builder line is priced from the chosen pro's own rate. When no pro is picked yet, the line starts from a Lens estimate of $700 a day for Drone Operator, and it is labelled an estimate.
Rates checked 2026-10-05. Published guides change; treat every figure as a starting point, not a quote.
Shooting in Irving
Irving is in Dallas County. Most DFW pros travel across the metro; ask whether travel time is included, and expect parking and load-in time to be part of the schedule at downtown venues.
Filming on public property, streets or parks may need a permit from the City of Irving. Private venues set their own rules; ask the venue before the shoot.
Much of Dallas-Fort Worth is controlled airspace around DFW International Airport and Dallas Love Field, and stadium events can bring temporary flight restrictions. A certified pilot checks the airspace for your exact address and requests FAA authorization when needed.
What a drone pilot does
A drone pilot captures aerial photos and video: property and real estate, construction progress, event and venue overviews, and the establishing shots that open a brand video. Commercial drone work in the US requires an FAA Part 107 remote pilot certificate.
- Checks airspace, weather and site rules before the flight
- Requests FAA airspace authorization when the site is in controlled airspace
- Flies and captures stills and video to your shot list
- Edits and delivers the aerial files, or hands them to your editor
- Carries the batteries, spare props and safety gear for the job
Hire one when: You need aerial shots of a property, venue, campus or construction site, or opening shots for a brand or event video.
How to choose
- Ask for their FAA Part 107 certificate number. Commercial flights require it.
- Ask whether they carry drone liability insurance and can name your business on a certificate if your venue requires one.
- Ask how they handle controlled airspace near airports. Much of DFW is close to DFW International and Dallas Love Field.
- Look at aerial video in their reel, not just stills. Smooth, purposeful moves take practice.
- Agree on a weather plan: who decides to reschedule and whether it costs anything.
What moves the price
- Flight time and number of locations
- Stills only, video, or both
- Airspace authorization and site complexity
- Editing and delivery
- Mapping or 3D deliverables
Questions people ask
How much does drone photography cost?
A March 2026 national guide puts aerial photography at about $200 to $400 an hour, with residential real estate packages at $150 to $350 and commercial properties at $500 to $2,000 or more. Thumbtack's national guide lists an average aerial photography job at about $333.
Does a drone pilot need a license?
Yes. Anyone flying a drone for business in the US needs an FAA Part 107 remote pilot certificate. Ask for it before you book.
Can drones fly anywhere in Dallas-Fort Worth?
No. Much of DFW is controlled airspace around DFW International Airport and Dallas Love Field, and some areas have temporary flight restrictions. Many flights need FAA airspace authorization, which a certified pilot requests before the shoot. Venues and cities can also have their own rules.
What happens if it rains or is too windy?
Drones do not fly safely in rain or high wind. Agree on a reschedule plan in the quote, including who decides and whether there is a fee.
Should I add a drone to my video crew?
For property, venue and outdoor event work, a few aerial shots often make the opening of the video. In Team Builder you can add a drone pilot as one role on the same quote as the rest of the crew.
Can I hire a drone pilot in Irving through Lens today?
Lens is new and no drone pilots list Irving yet. You can build a crew in Team Builder with the role left open (priced as a labelled estimate), browse pros elsewhere in DFW, or ask MAD Monkey Media about a set-price package.
Need more than one person?
Most shoots need a crew, not one shooter. In Team Builder you add the roles you need (for example a drone pilot, sound and an editor), pick pros or leave a role open, and see one combined quote. Inquiries and messages are always free; nothing is booked until a pro accepts.
More in Irving and nearby
Other roles in Irving
- Photographer in Irving
- Videographer in Irving
- Video Editor in Irving
- Motion Graphics Designer in Irving
- Colorist in Irving
- Sound Mixer and Sound Designer in Irving