Security & Investigations · Senior
Counter-UAS / Drone Security Specialist Salary
Compensation benchmarks from 255 verified sources including industry surveys, published reports, and market intelligence.
National Compensation Range
P25
$65,000
25th percentile
P50
$115,000
Median
P75
$100,000
75th percentile
CANDIDATE MARKET
Very Tight
Scarcity: 8/10
EST. CANDIDATE POOL
20-60
Active candidates nationally
DEMAND TREND
Stable
8% year-over-year
RETENTION
3.8 yr avg tenure
18% annual turnover
Counter-UAS / Drone Security Specialist Salary by City
Median (P50) adjusted for metro cost of labor.
Market Trends
LOW CONFIDENCE — Emerging role. Most data from defense contractor postings. Private sector C-UAS for UHNW estates is newer with very limited data.
Also Known As
Counter-Drone Specialist, UAS Security Analyst, Drone Defense Specialist
What Does a Counter-UAS / Drone Security Specialist Do?
The Counter-UAS / Drone Security Specialist operates providing executive protection, threat assessment, and security operations for high-net-worth families, corporate principals, or private organizations. Professionals in this role typically bring 6 to 12 years of relevant experience. Classified at the Senior level, this position draws from a very tight candidate market with an estimated pool of 20-60 qualified professionals, making targeted sourcing and competitive compensation critical for successful placements.
What Drives Counter-UAS / Drone Security Specialist Compensation?
The median (P50) compensation for a Counter-UAS / Drone Security Specialist is $115,000, with the 25th to 75th percentile range spanning $65,000 to $100,000. Pay variation across this range is primarily driven by principal risk profile, domestic vs. international travel requirements, team size managed, security clearance level, and specialized training in surveillance detection or threat mitigation. Demand for this role is trending upward with 0.08% year-over-year growth, which is putting upward pressure on compensation at all levels.
Counter-UAS / Drone Security Specialist Career Path
Professionals who move into Counter-UAS / Drone Security Specialist roles most commonly come from military special operations, federal law enforcement, intelligence agencies, or corporate security departments. From this position, the typical trajectory leads toward director of security for large family offices, corporate security leadership, or independent security consulting. The average tenure in this role is approximately 3.8 years, with an annual turnover rate of 18%.
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