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For Educators: Military Resources
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Military Unmanned Vehicle (UV) Operations Specialists

Median Salary
68,395
Workforce Count
64,170

Overview

What are the responsibilities of this role?

Unmanned vehicle operations specialists operate, maintain, and control the Military’s fleet of unmanned vehicles. These vehicles include unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), aerial systems, ground vehicles, surface vehicles, and underwater vehicles. The specialists control these vehicles to perform reconnaissance and strike missions. They also operate sensors for target detection, deploy ground and air systems, and perform basic maintenance on systems as needed. Personnel normally specialize by the type of vehicle they operate.

What is the work environment like?

Unmanned vehicle operations specialists work under a variety of conditions depending upon the type of vehicle and mission. Some specialists work in control stations or receiving stations on land, while others work aboard ships.

How many people have this role in the Military?

64,170

Compensation

Understanding How Military Pay is More Than Just a Salary

Base pay is the standard income you’ll earn as a service member, providing a stable foundation to start achieving your financial goals.

  • Always fixed based on rank and service time.
  • Distributed monthly.
Learn More About Military Benefits

What is the typical salary range?

Salary by Years of Service

$115,822

2 Years

$84,022

6 Years

$115,822

10+ Years
Median Salary
68,395

Military Details

What Service Branches offer this role?

Learn More About Service Branches

Is this a staff or leadership role?

Enlisted
Officer
Enlisted service members execute vital tasks, support operations alongside officers and develop role-specific skills to achieve mission success.
Learn More About Enlisted and Officer Paths

What does the training for this role entail?

All enlisted service members complete basic military training, which includes time spent in a classroom and in the field, and covers tactical and survival skills, physical training, military life and customs, and weapons training. Unmanned vehicle (UV) operations specialists in the Military will gain skills through classroom study and on-the-job experience. Job training varies depending on the position. Job-specific training may include:

  • Operation of unmanned vehicles
  • Basic preventative maintenance
  • Unmanned vehicle concepts and capabilities
  • Advanced technical and operational training in the aviation field
  • Performing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance simulation missions
  • Preparing maps, charts, and intelligence reports
  • Analyzing aerial photographs

Education

What level of education do professionals in this role have?

Education Level

  • Post-secondary certificate

    31%

  • Associate's degree

    29%

  • Bachelor's degree

    10%

  • High school

    9%

  • Some college

    7%

  • Master's degree

    5%

  • Doctoral degree

    3%

Which college majors best prepare you for this role?

  • Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General
  • Electrical, Electronic, and Communications Engineering Technology/Technician
  • Instrumentation Technology/Technician
  • Mechanical/Mechanical Engineering Technology/Technician
  • Electromechanical/Electromechanical Engineering Technology/Technician
  • Automation Engineer Technology/Technician
  • Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians, Other
  • Robotics Technology/Technician
  • Applied Engineering Technologies/Technicians
  • Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering Technology/Technician

Learn About How Military Can Pay for 100% of your College Degree

The Military has several programs that cover college costs — so you can pursue your education with little to no debt.
Learn More About Paying For College

Skills and Interest

What skills will set you up for success?

Skills

  • Math and Science Skills

    High

  • Technology Design and Control

    High

  • Equipment Operation and Maintenance

    High

  • Verbal Skills

    Mid

  • Leadership

    Low

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

    Mid

What knowledge is essential to bring to the table?

  • Computers and Electronics
  • Mechanical
  • Engineering and Technology
  • Mathematics
  • Design

What challenges will you likely face in the workplace?

Workplace

  • Exposure to Job Hazards

    High

  • Time Pressure

    High

  • Repetitiveness

    High

  • Level Of Competition

    High

  • Responsibility

    Mid

  • Decision Making

    Mid

  • Physical Activity

    Mid

What personality traits help people thrive in this role?

Realistic

You love hands-on work and solving practical problems — like fixing things and building stuff.

Conventional

You like structure, staying organized, and working with systems to get things done efficiently.

Investigative

You love figuring out how things work and researching subjects that interest you.

RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.

Take the RIASEC Test

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