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.
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. The role reports a median annual salary of $60,130 in the US and is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Entry typically requires a Associate's degree, and shows high AI exposure (0.70 on a 0-1 scale) — significant portions of core tasks are already being automated. The most in-demand skills for the role include geomatics, photogrammetry, surveying, geographic information systems, mathematics.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £28,210 a year for Laboratory technicians (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
Middle half of full-time jobs: £24,975 to £34,028 a year
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 3111). ONS rates this estimate precise. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Technicians and associate professionals” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only Remote Sensing Technicians, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 3. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
How to get here in India
No single fixed route is listed for this career. These Indian degrees lead to it, according to the US CIP–SOC education-to-occupation crosswalk; open a degree for its entrance exams and colleges.[1]
- Criminology — BA / B.Sc (Hons) Criminology (three or four years)
Rules change: check the exam body's and regulator's current notice before you apply.
- CIP 2020 – SOC 2018 crosswalk (NCES / BLS) (read on 2026-09-27)
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Geography
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics
- Customer and Personal Service
- Engineering and Technology
- Production and Processing
- English Language
- Education and Training
What you'd actually do
- 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.
- Manipulate raw data to enhance interpretation, either on the ground or during remote sensing flights.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Remote Sensing Technicians do?
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.
How much does Remote Sensing Technicians earn?
The median annual salary for Remote Sensing Technicians in the US is $60,130.
What is the job outlook for Remote Sensing Technicians?
The role is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Current US employment is approximately 83,200 workers.
How do I become remote sensing technicians?
The typical entry education is a Associate's degree. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Remote Sensing Technicians need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include geomatics, photogrammetry, surveying, geographic information systems, mathematics, geodesy. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Remote Sensing Technicians?
Our AI-durability model gives Remote Sensing Technicians a score of 0.70 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at high AI risk — many core tasks are already being automated by generative AI and workflow tools. Focus on AI-adjacent skills or plan a pivot to an AI-durable adjacent role.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Remote Sensing Technicians has moderate barrier to entry — moderately gated — a bachelor's degree or equivalent training is typically required.