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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.

SOC: 19-4099.03

Common Job Titles

  • Digital Cartographic Technician
  • Geospatial Extractor
  • Meteorologist Liaison
  • Research Associate

What You'll Need to Succeed

AI-generated

Key competencies for this occupation at a glance

  • KnowledgeDesign flight plans and sensor configurations for unmanned aerial vehicle missions considering weather constraints, airspace regulations, and mission objectives for data collection.
  • KnowledgeSynthesize geographic, computational, and engineering knowledge to develop innovative remote sensing solutions for homeland security and environmental applications.
  • KnowledgeAnalyze multispectral and hyperspectral imagery data for natural resource assessment using GIS software and remote sensing platforms to support scientists in urban planning and environmental monitoring.
  • Hands-onOperate LIDAR systems, thermal infrared sensors, and multispectral imaging equipment in field environments to acquire geospatial data following established protocols.
  • KnowledgeEvaluate geospatial data quality and accuracy against established standards using quality control procedures to ensure compliance with project specifications and regulatory requirements.
  • KnowledgeCompare temporal geospatial datasets to identify environmental changes using change detection algorithms and spatial analysis techniques in ESRI ArcGIS and ERDAS IMAGINE.
  • Hands-onExecute UAV missions with fixed-wing and multi-rotor platforms following FAA regulations and safety protocols while adapting to dynamic field conditions.
  • MindsetIntegrate emerging remote sensing technologies with established workflows while prioritizing project goals and maintaining commitment to data quality standards.
  • KnowledgeApply Python, R, and SQL programming languages to automate data processing workflows and extract meaningful information from remote sensing datasets.
  • Hands-onCalibrate remote sensing equipment including GPS receivers and radiometers prior to field deployment to maintain data integrity and measurement precision.
  • MindsetSupport interdisciplinary scientific teams through technical consultation when interpreting remote sensing results and recommending appropriate methodologies for research objectives.
  • KnowledgePrepare technical documentation and geospatial data visualizations communicating complex remote sensing findings to scientific stakeholders and external organizations.

Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Annual wage data for Remote Sensing Technicians (2024)

Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)

71,400

Wage Distribution by Percentile

Line chart of annual wages by percentile. U.S. is the solid line. 10th percentile: U.S. $37,310. 25th percentile: U.S. $46,270. 50th percentile: U.S. $60,130. 75th percentile: U.S. $77,990. 90th percentile: U.S. $101,870. Use the left and right arrow keys to move between percentiles.

  • U.S.
MetricU.S.
10% of workers earn the following or less$37,310
10% of workers earn the following or more$101,870
Workers on average earn$64,640

+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)

Skills & Requirements

Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance

  • Geography4.3/5
  • Computers and Electronics4.2/5
  • Mathematics3.5/5
  • Customer and Personal Service3.5/5
  • Engineering and Technology3.5/5
Skills & Requirements: Knowledge

Tools & Technology

Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation

In-Demand Technology

Frequently requested by employers in job postings

  • AJAX
  • Adobe Creative Cloud software
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2
  • Amazon Web Services AWS software
  • Ansible software
  • Atlassian Confluence
  • Atlassian JIRA
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Bentley MicroStation
  • C#
  • C++
  • Cascading style sheets CSS
  • ESRI ArcGIS software
  • Git
  • GitHub
  • Google Analytics
  • Hypertext markup language HTML
  • JavaScript
  • Linux
  • Microsoft .NET Framework
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Azure software
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft PowerShell
  • Microsoft Project
  • Microsoft SQL Server
  • Microsoft Visual Studio
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft Windows Server
  • Microsoft Word
  • MySQL
  • Oracle Database
  • Oracle Java
  • Perl
  • Python
  • R
  • React
  • SAP software
  • SAS
  • Salesforce software
  • ServiceNow
  • Shell script
  • Splunk Enterprise
  • Structured query language SQL
  • The MathWorks MATLAB
  • UNIX
  • UNIX Shell
  • jQuery

Technology Skills

  • Aeronautical charts
  • Agisoft Metashape
  • Airdata
  • Applied Imagery Quick Terrain Modeler
  • ArduPilot Mission Planner
  • BAE Systems SOCET SET
  • Calibration software
  • CloudCompare
Tools & Technology: Technology Skills

Tools & Equipment

  • Airfield lighting equipment
  • Anemometers
  • DJI GS Pro
  • Desktop computers
  • Digital cameras
  • DroneDeploy
  • Field computers
  • Fixed wing unmanned aerial vehicles UAV
Tools & Technology: Tools & Equipment