Drone Pilot (UAS Operator)

Stable

Aviation

Flies drones commercially for crop spraying in paddy and oil palm, mapping and surveying, inspection and filming. You need a CAAM remote pilot certificate (RCoC) from an approved training organisation, and you must be at least 18 for the basic and agriculture certificates.

You can enter this career straight after SPM. A degree is optional, not required.

AviationAgriculture

In Malaysia

How people get into it here: SPM (age 18+) → train at a CAAM-approved Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO) → pass the CAAM online theory exam and practical flight test for RCoC-B, adding Module 2 (AGR) for commercial spraying, or RCoC-AL for private farm spraying → join a drone service, plantation or survey company, or start your own service with CAAM operating approvals.
Registration required: Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM): Remote Pilot Certificate of Competency (RCoC-B, Module 2 AGR or RCoC-AL), plus operating authorisations

Sources:caam.gov.my

Subjects that matter here

The SPM subjects worth your effort for this career, with the reason for each.

PhysicsFlight, thrust and how planes stay up.

Additional MathematicsNavigation and fuel calculations.

EnglishAviation's global working language.

BiologyPlants, soil and crop science.

ChemistryFertiliser, nutrients and yield.

Skills to build

Safety-first mindsetHand-eye coordinationPlanning around weather and rulesCareful record-keeping

Pay in the private market

Monthly pay from fresh grad to mid-career, from the salary guide cited on this page.

No official pay figure is published for this job, so we show none.

Government pay isn't shown: we haven't yet sourced the SSPA civil-service salary tables, and we won't estimate them.

Job demand outlook

Stable

Steady, reliable demand: a consistent number of openings.

Your readiness

How your current SPM subjects line up with this career.

Add your SPM grades to see how ready you are for this career.

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Check what you may qualify for

Enter your SPM grades and see which routes and programmes you may qualify for. An estimate to plan with, not an offer.

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How to get here

Post-SPM pathways with programmes in this career's fields. Tap one to see real programmes and entry requirements.

TVET

Hands-on trades with strong employability: ILP, ADTEC, kolej vokasional, GiatMARA.

1–3 years

Asasi / Foundation

One-year runway into a specific university: public via UPU or private direct entry.

12 months

Diploma

Skill-first qualification. Work after, or enter degree Year 2. Polytechnics keep it affordable.

2.5–3 years

About this information

This describes what the job involves. Pay, demand and entry routes differ in Malaysia, so check the Pathways and Programmes pages for local requirements.

Job responsibilities, knowledge areas and work context from O*NET 30.3, US Department of Labor, used under CC BY 4.0. onetcenter.org