Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (occupation group), with detailed role definition from O*NET, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists salary by state
What Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologistss do
Typical education: Bachelor's Degree
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.
Top skills:Reading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingWritingSpeakingScienceActive Listening
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists pay by experience level
Entry level$69,500
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$89,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$127,000
Mid-career median pay
Senior$167,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$202,000
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+0.6%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
2,000
projected openings per year
Growing slower than average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists salary by industry
Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Schools and Hospitals and USPS
11,600 workers
$133,500
Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation)
9,650 workers
$140,500
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
4,400 workers
$143,000
Educational Services
4,050 workers
$96,000
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
4,020 workers
$96,000
Educational Services, State Government Owned
3,190 workers
$95,500
Scientific Research and Development Services
2,050 workers
$129,000
State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
1,790 workers
$97,000
Transportation Equipment Manufacturing
970 workers
$215,000
Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing
960 workers
$215,000
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists pays 33% above the average across 66 roles in the Life, Physical, and Social Science job family (family average $100,500).
Similar-paying roles in Life, Physical, and Social Science
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists make?
The average base salary for a Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists in the United States is $133,500 per year, or about $64.18 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $89,500 and $167,500 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Life, Physical, and Social Science roles?
The Life, Physical, and Social Science job family averages $100,500 across 66 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role? WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
Need Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists pay benchmarked for your organization, or defensible compensation analysis for a dispute or valuation? Grahall builds it from primary sources, backed by an expert who testifies.