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Science

Remote Sensing Technicians

Apply remote sensing technologies to assist scientists in areas such as natural resources, urban planning, or homeland security. May prepare flight plans or sensor configurations for flight trips.

Median salary (BLS)

$62,280

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$39k – $103k

Job outlook

+4% (faster than average)

AI exposure

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports one wage for this occupational group, which covers 2 related roles — so read the median as an approximate group figure, and the range as the truer picture for this specific title. BLS source.

Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $119,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.

Plan a path to Remote Sensing Technicians

Qualification costsStack incomeBest cities/statesSchool ROIJob-posting fitTailored resume

Education

Typical entry: Bachelor's degree

Plan my path to this →

Typical progression

  1. Remote Sensing Technicians Intern

    Internship

    $36,000

    ~4 mos to advance

  2. Junior Remote Sensing Technicians

    Entry / Junior

    $39,000

    ~2 yrs to advance

  3. Remote Sensing Technicians

    Established

    $62,280

    ~3 yrs to advance

  4. Senior Remote Sensing Technicians

    Senior

    $82,485

Internships are a common on-ramp here — they speed up landing that first role and improve your odds, which is why the Safe and High-ceiling plans build one in.

Key skills

A typical day

  • •Collect geospatial data, using technologies such as aerial photography, light and radio wave detection systems, digital satellites, or thermal energy systems.
  • •Verify integrity and accuracy of data contained in remote sensing image analysis systems.
  • •Integrate remotely sensed data with other geospatial data.
  • •Consult with remote sensing scientists, surveyors, cartographers, or engineers to determine project needs.
  • •Adjust remotely sensed images for optimum presentation by using software to select image displays, define image set categories, or choose processing routines.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Science

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.