← All careers

Science

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.

Median salary (BLS)

$122,570

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$67k – $195k

Job outlook

+1% (about average)

AI exposure

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 Scientists and Technologists

Qualification costsStack incomeBest cities/statesSchool ROIJob-posting fitTailored resume

Education

Typical entry: Bachelor's degree

Plan my path to this →

How to qualify

Estimate

Cost to qualify

$40,000–$150,000

Time to qualify

4 yr

Renewal

—

  1. 1

    Bachelor's degree

    Degree

    Four years at public in-state rates — average published tuition & fees ≈ $11,610/yr, plus books. Private and out-of-state run higher; grant aid lowers most students' actual net price.

    $40,000–$150,000 · 4 years source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists Intern

    Internship

    $36,000

    ~4 mos to advance

  2. Junior Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists

    Entry / Junior

    $67,000

    ~2 yrs to advance

  3. Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists

    Established

    $122,570

    ~3 yrs to advance

  4. Senior Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists

    Senior

    $158,880

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

  • •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.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Science

Explore all

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