# 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/remote-sensing-scientists-and-technologists
- SOC code: 19-2099.01
- Career family: Science
- Median annual pay: $122,570 (10th percentile $67,000, 90th percentile $195,190)
- Projected growth: As fast as average, +2.1%
- Openings a year: 1,400
- Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections
- Pay and outlook are for the broader BLS group "Physical scientists, all other".

## Interest profile (code IRC)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 64 |
| Investigative (I) | 85 |
| Artistic (A) | 16 |
| Social (S) | 5 |
| Enterprising (E) | 7 |
| Conventional (C) | 63 |

## What you'd do

- Working with Computers (importance 95/100)
- Processing Information (importance 90/100)
- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 89/100)
- Getting Information (importance 87/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 83/100)
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others (importance 82/100)
- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 80/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 79/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 79/100)
- Thinking Creatively (importance 78/100)

## Skills

Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Science, Speaking, Writing, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Mathematics, Systems Analysis

## Knowledge

Geography, Computers and Electronics, Mathematics, Engineering and Technology, English Language, Physics, Design, Administration and Management, Customer and Personal Service, Biology

## Also called

All Source Intelligence Analyst, Commercial Drone Operator, Commercial Drone Pilot, Drone Operator, Drone Pilot, Geospatial Image Analyst, Geospatial Intelligence Analyst, Image Scientist, Imagery Remote Sensing Scientist, LIDAR Analyst (Light Detection and Ranging Analyst)

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Natural Sciences](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/3018) (CIP 3018, 153 colleges)
- [Physical Sciences, Other](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4099) (CIP 4099, 56 colleges)
- Marine Sciences (CIP 3032, 40 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Harvard University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/harvard-university-1157) | Natural Sciences | not reported | $95,507 | $25,000 |
| [Daemen College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/daemen-college-757) | Natural Sciences | not reported | $76,980 | $27,000 |
| [SUNY Empire State College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/suny-empire-state-college-2655) | Physical Sciences, Other | $61,923 | $71,805 | $15,750 |
| [Kansas State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/kansas-state-university-1364) | Natural Sciences | $40,805 | $68,243 | $19,551 |
| [California State University-Monterey Bay](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-state-university-monterey-bay-373) | Marine Sciences | $35,521 | $59,782 | $12,500 |
| [University of Mary Washington](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-mary-washington-2945) | Physical Sciences, Other | $42,079 | $59,594 | not reported |
| [Dominican University-Illinois](https://www.collegesref.com/college/dominican-university-illinois-827) | Natural Sciences | $34,968 | $56,555 | $26,000 |
| [Loyola Marymount University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/loyola-marymount-university-1550) | Natural Sciences | $33,291 | $56,124 | $21,000 |

## Related careers

- [Remote Sensing Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/remote-sensing-technicians): $62,280 median pay
- [Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/electro-mechanical-and-mechatronics-technologists-and-technicians): $73,900 median pay
- [Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/geographic-information-systems-technologists-and-technicians): $116,580 median pay
- [Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/geological-technicians-except-hydrologic-technicians): $53,350 median pay
- [Geodetic Surveyors](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/geodetic-surveyors): $75,440 median pay
- [Surveying and Mapping Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/surveying-and-mapping-technicians): $54,240 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.