The Authority Suite
NET PAY · HOURLY RATEPaid drone work
Drone job profit calculator
A $175 drone gig can look fine until you add the platform cut, drive time, editing, insurance, gear reserve, reshoot risk, and taxes. Run the mission math before you accept the work.
Mission math
Is this drone job actually profitable?
Enter the bid, time, travel, platform fee, insurance, gear reserve, and tax set-aside. The hourly number is the one that matters.
Net hourly
$18
Likely not worth itBreakdown
- Gross job pay
- $175
- Platform fee
- -$18
- Subscription allocated
- $0
- Insurance allocated
- -$9
- Gear reserve allocated
- -$20
- Mileage cost
- -$23
- Reshoot reserve
- -$14
- Tax reserve
- -$23
- Net after reserves
- $69
Quote check
If the client controls the schedule, rejects work without a written standard, or asks for extra inspection tasks, raise the bid or walk away. Low-pay drone work often hides in admin time.
Total hours
3.8h
Direct costs
$83
Mission lanes
Different drone jobs hide different costs.
| Work type | What changes the hourly rate | Before you quote |
|---|---|---|
| Real estate and property media | Travel, Editing time, Turnaround time, Airspace authorization | Agent asks for commercial work but suggests recreational rules |
| Roof and insurance inspection | Roof complexity, Access restrictions, Photo count, Platform fees | Platform asks for unpaid test work |
| Construction progress | Recurring cadence, Site size, Data processing, Accuracy requirement | Client expects survey-grade output without a licensed surveyor |
| Mapping and survey support | Acreage, GSD target, Ground control, Processing time | Client asks for a legal survey |
| Agriculture spraying | Acres, GPA, Tank size, Battery logistics | Assuming aerial label language automatically allows drones |
| Public safety program | Training scope, Agency procurement, Data retention, Thermal gear | No privacy policy for public-facing operations |