Computer programmers in the drone field are the behind-the-scenes architects making sure these flying robots actually do what they’re told—without crashing into a tree. They write the code that powers everything from flight control algorithms and GPS navigation to user interfaces and mission planning apps. Programmers also help build custom scripts for automating drone tasks and integrating drones with other systems like IoT networks or cloud platforms. Salaries for computer programmers working with drones generally run from $70,000 to $110,000, but those with expertise in embedded systems, robotics, or AI can easily break into higher brackets. If you like your code to have wings—literally—this is one corner of tech that’s only going up.