Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists
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.
Also called: Geospatial Intelligence Analyst · Image Scientist · Remote Sensing Analyst · Remote Sensing Scientist · Research Scientist · Scientist
Median pay (national)
$117,960
$61,990–$191,880 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
22,580
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+0.6%
~2,000 openings/yr
Typical entry
Bachelor's degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for remote sensing scientists and technologists shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $191,880 versus $61,990 at the bottom 10% — 3.1x. The median of $117,960 leaves roughly 63% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +0.6% from 2024 to 2034 — slower than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 2,000 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 43 states with released data, Minnesota pays the most for this role (median $167,110, +42% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $51,530 — a 224% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Active Listening as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Python as in-demand technologies for this role.
Tailor your resume to Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists
Honest tailoring
See how your resume lines up with Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists
Refit re-angles your real experience toward this role using the skills above — and never invents skills you don't have. A no-fabrication gate checks every change before you see it.
Free. No account needed to see your first re-fit.
Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Science
- Mathematics
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Learning Strategies
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- 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.
- Design or implement strategies for collection, analysis, or display of geographic data.
- Develop or build databases for remote sensing or related geospatial project information.
Tools & technology
- Python
- Adobe Creative Cloud software
- Amazon DynamoDB
- Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2
- Amazon Redshift
- Amazon Web Services AWS CloudFormation
- Amazon Web Services AWS software
- Ansible software
- Apache Hadoop
- Apache Hive
- Apache Kafka
- Atlassian JIRA
- Bash
- C
- C#
- C++
Knowledge areas
- Geography
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics
- Engineering and Technology
- English Language
- Physics
- Design
- Administration and Management