Custom drone spraying in the Midwest averages about $12.50 per acre, with chemicals billed separately, according to Iowa State University's 2026 Iowa Farm Custom Rate Survey. The survey's median was $12 and the typical range was $8 to $16 per acre. That's close to the $12 average for airplane application and a few dollars more than ground rigs. Your own rate should come from your costs, your acres per hour and your local market.
What the survey shows
The 2026 Iowa survey collected rates expected to be charged in 2026 from farmers, custom operators and farm managers. For spraying (materials not included):
| Method | Average | Median | Typical range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground, tractor, broadcast | $8.50 | $8.00 | $5 to $14 |
| Ground, self-propelled | $9.35 | $9.00 | $5 to $18 |
| Ground, self-propelled tall-crop | $11.15 | $10.50 | $6 to $20 |
| Aerial (airplane) | $12.00 | $11.60 | $9 to $18 |
| Drone | $12.50 | $12.00 | $8 to $16 |
The survey's range leaves out the single highest and lowest answers. It's one state; rates in specialty crops, orchards, rice or hilly ground can be very different, so check your state's extension custom rate survey if it has one.
What pushes the price up or down
- Application volume. A product label that calls for more gallons per acre means more tank refills and fewer acres per hour. The Agras T50 carries 40 L (about 10.6 gallons) per load; the Agras T25 carries 20 L.
- Field size and shape. Small, irregular fields with trees, power lines or buildings take longer per acre.
- Travel and setup. Many operators add a minimum charge or a trip fee for small jobs.
- Timing. Fungicide windows and emergency pest calls can carry a premium.
- Terrain and crop. Tall corn, orchards and steep ground slow you down.
- Who supplies the chemical and water. Quote materials separately.
Hourly vs per-acre pricing
Most broadacre drone work is priced per acre because farmers compare it to ground and airplane rates. Hourly pricing makes more sense for spot spraying, fence lines, ponds, ditches and small plots where acreage is hard to measure. Know your real acres per hour before you quote either way. See spray drone acres per hour.
Work out your own cost per acre
- Fixed costs per year: drone, batteries, generator and charger spread over their working life, trailer and mixing gear, insurance, licensing and software.
- Running costs per acre: generator fuel, labor, nozzles and parts, and battery wear. DJI covers the DB1560 battery for 1,500 cycles or 12 months, whichever comes first, which gives you a planning number.
- Divide fixed costs by the acres you expect to spray in a season, then add running costs per acre.
- Add margin, then compare with local ground and airplane rates.
Low season acres are the biggest risk: the same equipment spread over fewer acres costs far more per acre.
Before you charge for spraying
Commercial spraying needs Part 107, a Part 137 certificate, an FAA exemption for drones of 55 lb or more, and a state applicator license. See spray drone license.
Rates and rules current as of October 2026. This is general information, not financial or legal advice.
Planning a service? Read how to start a drone spraying business or contact us for an Agras quote.
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