SOC 19-4099.03

    Remote Sensing Technicians

    Apply remote sensing technologies to assist scientists in areas such as natural resources, urban planning, or homeland security.

    Median pay
    $62,280
    Growth
    +4.4%
    As fast as average
    Openings a year
    11,200
    Typical education
    Associate's degree

    Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition

    Source: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections · figures for the broader BLS group "Life, physical, and social science technicians, all other"

    See the pathway

    Annual pay range

    Lowest 10% earn less than
    $39,000
    Median
    $62,280
    Highest 10% earn more than
    $102,690
    National wages for all workers in this occupation. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

    73,910 people work in this occupation.

    In short

    Remote sensing technicians use advanced technologies to help scientists analyze data for natural resources, urban planning, or homeland security. The career offers a median annual pay of $62,280, with opportunities in drone operations, geospatial analysis, and digital cartography.

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What remote sensing technicians do

    Job Zone 4: Considerable preparation

    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.

    Most need a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.

    What the work is like

    People in this career assist scientists by gathering, processing, and analyzing data collected from aerial or satellite sensors. On a daily basis, they work extensively with computers to configure sensors, prepare flight plans, and identify specific objects or events in geographic data. They must evaluate information to ensure it complies with established standards and solve complex technical problems as they arise.

    This role requires strong skills in mathematics, critical thinking, and reading comprehension to interpret technical data. Technicians need a solid foundation in geography, computers, electronics, and engineering technology. Because the work involves precise measurements and data processing, a conventional interest area is highly valuable. Successful technicians demonstrate work styles such as strong attention to detail, dependability, intellectual curiosity, and adaptability when handling different types of geospatial information. They also communicate regularly with supervisors and peers to share their findings.

    How to get there

    To enter this career, the typical education required is an associate's degree. However, most positions demand considerable preparation, meaning many professionals in the field hold a bachelor's degree and have several years of experience in a related role.

    Students preparing for this career often choose college majors such as physical science technologies, atmospheric sciences and meteorology, materials sciences, criminology, or criminal justice and corrections. Related certifications are also available, such as the Certified Benefits Professional credential from WorldatWork. This background prepares individuals for various roles in the field, which are sometimes called drone operators, geospatial technicians, or digital cartographic technicians.

    Pay and outlook explained

    The median annual pay for remote sensing technicians is $62,280. The lowest 10% of earners in this field make less than $39,000, while the highest 10% earn more than $102,690. These wage figures represent a broader group classified by the Bureau of Labor Statistics as life, physical, and social science technicians, all other.

    There are 73,910 people employed in this broader occupational group. Employment is projected to grow by 4.4% from 2025 to 2035, which is as fast as the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to result in approximately 11,200 job openings each year.

    Interest profile

    Realistic (R)
    68 / 100
    Investigative (I)
    60 / 100
    Artistic (A)
    19 / 100
    Social (S)
    9 / 100
    Enterprising (E)
    12 / 100
    Conventional (C) · strongest
    71 / 100
    How strongly each interest area describes the work, from O*NET (scores rescaled to 0–100). The interest code lists the strongest areas in order.

    Interest code CRI. Compare it with yours

    What you'd do

    Working with Computers
    91
    Getting Information
    85
    Processing Information
    80
    Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
    78
    Analyzing Data or Information
    77
    Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    76
    Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
    73
    Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    71
    Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
    69
    Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
    68
    Work activities rated by importance for this occupation, O*NET (0–100).

    Skills and strengths

    Skills

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

    Knowledge

    • Geography
    • Computers and Electronics
    • Mathematics
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Engineering and Technology
    • Production and Processing
    • English Language
    • Education and Training
    • Administration and Management
    • Design

    Abilities

    • Deductive Reasoning
    • Information Ordering
    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Inductive Reasoning
    • Near Vision
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Oral Expression
    • Speech Clarity
    • Written Comprehension
    • Written Expression

    Work styles

    • Attention to Detail
    • Dependability
    • Intellectual Curiosity
    • Integrity
    • Adaptability
    • Achievement Orientation
    • Cautiousness
    • Tolerance for Ambiguity
    • Innovation
    • Perseverance

    Also called

    Commercial Drone Operator · Commercial Drone Pilot · Commercial Drone Technician · Digital Cartographic Technician · Document Image Technician · Drone Operator · Drone Pilot · Drone Technician · Geospatial Extractor · Geospatial Technician (Geospatial Tech)

    Career pathway

    From your interests to remote sensing technicians

    Interests that fit the work, the career, majors that lead there and colleges whose graduates in those majors earn the most. Hover or focus a step to follow one path.

    1. Interests

    2. This career

      • Remote Sensing Technicians$62,280 median pay

    3. Majors

    4. Colleges

    College Scorecard program outcomes

    Colleges with strong outcomes

    Programs that lead to this career, ranked by what their graduates earn four years after finishing. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid.

    1. 1Carnegie Mellon University logo
      Carnegie Mellon University

      Pittsburgh, PA · Materials Sciences · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $82,424
      4 yrs after
      $119,715
      Median debt
      Not reported
    2. 2Calumet College of Saint Joseph logo
      Calumet College of Saint Joseph

      Whiting, IN · Criminal Justice and Corrections · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $54,078
      4 yrs after
      $106,465
      Median debt
      $20,417
    3. 3Champlain College logo
      Champlain College

      Burlington, VT · Security Science and Technology · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $68,425
      4 yrs after
      $101,401
      Median debt
      $28,520
    4. 4
      Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott

      Prescott, AZ · Security Science and Technology · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $58,252
      4 yrs after
      $98,996
      Median debt
      $20,500
    5. 5Florida State University-Main Campus logo
      Florida State University-Main Campus

      Tallahassee, FL · Security Science and Technology · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $60,178
      4 yrs after
      $93,841
      Median debt
      $15,125
    6. 6Robert Morris University logo
      Robert Morris University

      Moon Township, PA · Security Science and Technology · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $64,104
      4 yrs after
      $90,206
      Median debt
      $26,000
    7. 7University of Alaska Anchorage logo
      University of Alaska Anchorage

      Anchorage, AK · Science Technologies/Technicians, Other · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      Not reported
      4 yrs after
      $90,046
      Median debt
      Not reported
    8. 8National University-California logo
      National University-California

      La Jolla, CA · Criminal Justice and Corrections · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $66,056
      4 yrs after
      $81,299
      Median debt
      $25,000

    Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025. Programs with few graduates are not listed.

    NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk

    Majors that lead here

    Related programs by four-digit CIP code. They are common routes in, not the only ones.

    CareerOneStop

    Certifications, licenses and pay by state

    What remote sensing technicians may need beyond a degree, where a license is required, and what the work pays in each state.

    Certifications

    Core certifications employers recognise for this work.

    Search all certifications on CareerOneStop

    Training

    Programs of study that prepare people for this work.

    • Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, General
    • Chemical Process Technology
    • Criminal Justice and Corrections, General
    • Criminal Justice/Safety Studies
    • Criminalistics and Criminal Science
    • Criminology
    • Forensic Science and Technology
    • Materials Chemistry
    • Materials Science
    • Physical Science Technologies/Technicians, Other
    • Science Technologies/Technicians, General
    • Science Technologies/Technicians, Other

    Find training near you on CareerOneStop

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.

    Your plan

    Build my pathway plan

    Courses, majors, colleges, scholarships and a timeline for this career, built from your profile.

    Related careers

    Careers with similar work, interests or skills.

    All careers

    Questions about remote sensing technicians

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What are some common job titles for this career?

    People in this field are often called commercial drone pilots, geospatial technicians, digital cartographic technicians, or drone operators. These titles reflect their work with aerial sensors and mapping technology.

    What is the projected job growth for this field?

    Employment is projected to grow 4.4% from 2025 to 2035, which is as fast as the average for all careers. This growth will generate about 11,200 job openings each year.

    What college majors are related to remote sensing technology?

    Students can study physical science technologies, atmospheric sciences and meteorology, criminology, or criminal justice and corrections. These programs provide the scientific and technical background needed for the job.

    Sources and attribution

    Every figure on this page comes from these public datasets. Missing values are shown as not reported, never estimated.

    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.

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.

    Page data updated November 5, 2026.