Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists
Life, Physical, and Social Science
Imagery from aircraft, satellites, or ground sensors is processed and combined with other geospatial sources, often in GIS or image-analysis software, to produce things like land-cover maps. Files have to be organized, documented, and formatted so they stay usable. Goals, equipment, and methods are settled with colleagues; results go out as reports or presentations. Some roles also develop new sensors, analysis methods, or uses for existing systems, in areas such as natural-resource management, urban planning, or homeland security. A better match for people who like image analysis, map-making, and keeping large geospatial files in order.
Typical education: Bachelor’s Degree (4-year)
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$122'570
Median Wage Market Position
$122'570
What you might do
- Analyze data from satellites, aircraft, and sensors
- Process imagery into products like land-cover maps
- Combine other geospatial sources into the project
- Format image data to make it more usable
- Organize geospatial data and keep its records
- Discuss methods and equipment needs with colleagues
Skills that matter
- Satellite and aircraft image analysis
- GIS and geospatial data integration
- Land cover maps from processed imagery
- Organization of geospatial data files
- Reports on geospatial project findings
- Planning methods with project teammates
AI & the future of this role
Image classification, change detection, and large-scale data processing are areas where AI is likely to take over substantial task volume. Developing new sensors and translating findings for planners or security clients may still need human expertise, but the core analysis pipeline looks highly automatable.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details