What is a Remote Sensing Scientist or Technologist?
Occupation Description 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.
Remote Sensing Scientist or Technologist Responsibilities
- Compile and format image data to increase its usefulness.
- Develop automated routines to correct for the presence of image distorting artifacts, such as ground vegetation.
- Use remote sensing data for forest or carbon tracking activities to assess the impact of environmental change.
- Design or implement strategies for collection, analysis, or display of geographic data.
- Direct installation or testing of new remote sensing hardware or software.
- Recommend new remote sensing hardware or software acquisitions.
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Things a Remote Sensing Scientist or Technologist Should Know How to Do
Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Sensor Specialist
- Measurement and Signatures Intelligence Analyst
- Geospatial Image Analyst
- All Source Intelligence Analyst
- Research Scientist
What Kind of Remote Sensing Scientist or Technologist Job Opportunities Are There?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 23,500 jobs in the United States for Remote Sensing Scientist or Technologist. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 6.8% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,600 new jobs for Remote Sensing Scientist or Technologist by 2026. The BLS estimates 2,000 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Remote Sensing Scientist or Technologist are Nevada, Nebraska, and New Mexico. Watch out if you plan on working in Wyoming, West Virginia, or Tennessee. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Remote Sensing Scientist or Technologist Average Salary
Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists make between $51,730 and $164,210 a year.

Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists who work in District of Columbia, Maryland, or New Mexico, make the highest salaries.
How much do Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $122,420 |
Alaska | $95,380 |
Arizona | $87,870 |
California | $117,830 |
Colorado | $116,530 |
Connecticut | $108,770 |
District of Columbia | $134,100 |
Florida | $88,270 |
Georgia | $106,560 |
Hawaii | $97,080 |
Idaho | $64,900 |
Illinois | $97,720 |
Indiana | $81,740 |
Kansas | $97,300 |
Kentucky | $94,700 |
Louisiana | $99,540 |
Maryland | $130,450 |
Massachusetts | $111,910 |
Michigan | $94,810 |
Mississippi | $87,010 |
Missouri | $92,960 |
Montana | $64,320 |
New Hampshire | $89,600 |
New Jersey | $96,850 |
New Mexico | $127,210 |
New York | $103,970 |
North Carolina | $96,450 |
North Dakota | $47,990 |
Ohio | $102,370 |
Oklahoma | $83,960 |
Oregon | $82,560 |
Pennsylvania | $115,050 |
Rhode Island | $108,290 |
South Carolina | $116,000 |
Tennessee | $90,800 |
Texas | $101,320 |
Virginia | $121,850 |
Washington | $108,430 |
West Virginia | $103,810 |
Wisconsin | $78,180 |
What Tools do Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Web browser software
- Structured query language SQL
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- Linux
- UNIX
- C
- Practical extraction and reporting language Perl
- Leica Geosystems ERDAS IMAGINE
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- Interface definition language IDL
- Image processing software
- C++
- RSI ENVI
How do I Become a Remote Sensing Scientist or Technologist?
What kind of Remote Sensing Scientist or Technologist requirements are there?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Who Employs Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists?

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those thinking about becoming a Remote Sensing Scientist or Technologist might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
Image Credit: Agsftw via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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