UAV operators will be very much in demand in the coming decade. As UAV's are more and more developed more companies are looking for operators of these vehicles. One way of becoming a UAV pilot is by going to college for a Bachelors in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Sciences. This is the path I am taking at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. ERAU is the first school to offer a Bachelors degree in UAS. With salaries expect anywhere from $60,000-170,000 a year this is a great oppurtunity.
After four years at a college for your Bachelors degree I would recommend getting at least your private pilot license with an IFR rating. A few of the companies looking for UAV operators include Boeing, General Atomics, and Northrop Grumman. You don't need to go to a school like Embry Riddle to get education related to Unmanned Aircraft, other colleges offer a minor in this field and can also be a good career path to take.

A cool picture of nano-copters flying in formation thanks to  defensetech.org

Embry Riddle is one of the top accredited aviation universities in the country, with great job relations to actually help you find a job when you get out. After being at the school for a couple months I can safely say I should have no issue finding a job when I get out. Numerous job fairs related to a career in operating UAV's have been hosted and there is no lack of jobs. Other ways of becoming a UAV operator include a military track as well as having 8 years of equivalent training in working on or flying UAV's. I will cover these alternate routes to a career in operating UAV's in coming posts, stay tuned!