How to become a Remote Sensing Scientist or Technologist

Official title: Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists

Also called: Geospatial Intelligence Analyst, Image Scientist, Remote Sensing Analyst, Remote Sensing Scientist, Research Scientist, Scientist, Sensor Specialist

Apply remote sensing principles and methods to analyze data and solve problems in areas such as natural resource management, urban planning, or homeland security. May develop new sensor systems, analytical techniques, or new applications for existing systems.

Main tasks

• Manage or analyze data obtained from remote sensing systems to obtain meaningful results.
• Analyze data acquired from aircraft, satellites, or ground-based platforms, using statistical analysis software, image analysis software, or Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
• Integrate other geospatial data sources into projects.
• Organize and maintain geospatial data and associated documentation.
• Compile and format image data to increase its usefulness.
• Prepare or deliver reports or presentations of geospatial project information.
• Discuss project goals, equipment requirements, or methodologies with colleagues or team members.
• Process aerial or satellite imagery to create products such as land cover maps.

How to become one

Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree

Ways in

• College: Agriculture & Environment degrees, Offered by 26 universities in the US

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Median pay: $122,570 a year The middle half earn $86,620 to $161,890.
• About 26,600 people work in this job now, and about 27,100 are projected by 2035. (+2.1%)
• People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Related jobs

• Astronomers
• Physicists
• Atmospheric and Space Scientists
• Chemists
• Materials Scientists
• Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Remote Sensing Scientist or Technologist?

Ways in include: Agriculture & Environment degrees.

How much does a Remote Sensing Scientist or Technologist earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $122,570 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $86,620 to $161,890.

Is a Remote Sensing Scientist or Technologist a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 2% by 2035, from about 26,600 to about 27,100 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Remote Sensing Scientist or Technologist?

Usually. 100% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Remote Sensing Scientist or Technologist?

People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Sources

• Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.