What Do Remote Sensing Scientist or Technologist Do?
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.
Life As a Remote Sensing Scientist or Technologist: What Do They Do?
- Prepare or deliver reports or presentations of geospatial project information.
- Discuss project goals, equipment requirements, or methodologies with colleagues or team members.
- Design or implement strategies for collection, analysis, or display of geographic data.
- Train technicians in the use of remote sensing technology.
- Use remote sensing data for forest or carbon tracking activities to assess the impact of environmental change.
- Recommend new remote sensing hardware or software acquisitions.
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Things a Remote Sensing Scientist or Technologist Should Know How to Do
These are the skills Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists say are the most useful in their careers:
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:
- Scientist
- Research Scientist
- Radar Scientist
- Remote Sensing Specialist
- Remote Sensing Analyst
Job Demand for Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists
In the United States, there were 23,500 jobs for Remote Sensing Scientist or Technologist in 2016. 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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 2,000 job openings in this field each year.

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.
What is the Average Salary of a Remote Sensing Scientist or Technologist
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 each U.S. state?
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?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists:
- 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 to Become a Remote Sensing Scientist or Technologist
Are there Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists education requirements?

How Long Does it Take to Become a Remote Sensing Scientist or Technologist?

Where Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists Work

The table below shows the approximate number of Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists employed by various industries.

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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