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.
AI Impact Summary
Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 34/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 64% of all analyzed occupations. Of 24 analyzed tasks, 1 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.
Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
Machine Learning Specialization
by Stanford / DeepLearning.AI
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Creative Writing Specialization
by Wesleyan University
Estimated Impact
Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Design Patterns in C# and .NET
by Pluralsight
Estimated Impact
We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.
Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
24 tasks analyzed
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).
Process aerial or satellite imagery to create products such as land cover maps.
Design or implement strategies for collection, analysis, or display of geographic data.
Integrate other geospatial data sources into projects.
Discuss project goals, equipment requirements, or methodologies with colleagues or team members.
Develop or build databases for remote sensing or related geospatial project information.
Collect supporting data, such as climatic or field survey data, to corroborate remote sensing data analyses.
Prepare or deliver reports or presentations of geospatial project information.
Participate in fieldwork.
Organize and maintain geospatial data and associated documentation.
Conduct research into the application or enhancement of remote sensing technology.
Train technicians in the use of remote sensing technology.
Attend meetings or seminars or read current literature to maintain knowledge of developments in the field of remote sensing.
Apply remote sensing data or techniques, such as surface water modeling or dust cloud detection, to address environmental issues.
Develop automated routines to correct for the presence of image distorting artifacts, such as ground vegetation.
Develop new analytical techniques or sensor systems.
Monitor quality of remote sensing data collection operations to determine if procedural or equipment changes are necessary.
Compile and format image data to increase its usefulness.
Set up or maintain remote sensing data collection systems.
Use remote sensing data for forest or carbon tracking activities to assess the impact of environmental change.
Direct all activity associated with implementation, operation, or enhancement of remote sensing hardware or software.
Direct installation or testing of new remote sensing hardware or software.
Recommend new remote sensing hardware or software acquisitions.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manage or analyze data obtained from remote sensing systems to obtain meaningful results. | 70Estimated | 55.0% | 10% | |
| Analyze data acquired from aircraft, satellites, or ground-based platforms, using statistical analysis software, image analysis software, or Geographic Information Systems (GIS). | 70Estimated | 55.0% | 10% | |
| Process aerial or satellite imagery to create products such as land cover maps. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 8% | |
| Design or implement strategies for collection, analysis, or display of geographic data. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 6% | |
| Integrate other geospatial data sources into projects. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 5% | |
| Discuss project goals, equipment requirements, or methodologies with colleagues or team members. | 20Estimated | 23.0% | 5% | |
| Develop or build databases for remote sensing or related geospatial project information. | 65Estimated | 53.0% | 4% | |
| Collect supporting data, such as climatic or field survey data, to corroborate remote sensing data analyses. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 4% | |
| Prepare or deliver reports or presentations of geospatial project information. | 40Estimated | 31.0% | 5% | |
| Participate in fieldwork. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 3% | |
| Organize and maintain geospatial data and associated documentation. | 37.15Observed | 64.1% | 4% | |
| Conduct research into the application or enhancement of remote sensing technology. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 4% | |
| Train technicians in the use of remote sensing technology. | 30Estimated | 27.0% | 2% | |
| Attend meetings or seminars or read current literature to maintain knowledge of developments in the field of remote sensing. | 55Estimated | 49.0% | 3% | |
| Apply remote sensing data or techniques, such as surface water modeling or dust cloud detection, to address environmental issues. | 70Estimated | 55.0% | 4% | |
| Develop automated routines to correct for the presence of image distorting artifacts, such as ground vegetation. | 75Estimated | 57.0% | 4% | |
| Develop new analytical techniques or sensor systems. | 40Estimated | 43.0% | 3% | |
| Monitor quality of remote sensing data collection operations to determine if procedural or equipment changes are necessary. | 65Estimated | 53.0% | 3% | |
| Compile and format image data to increase its usefulness. | 41.95Observed | 66.0% | 4% | |
| Set up or maintain remote sensing data collection systems. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 2% | |
| Use remote sensing data for forest or carbon tracking activities to assess the impact of environmental change. | 75Estimated | 57.0% | 3% | |
| Direct all activity associated with implementation, operation, or enhancement of remote sensing hardware or software. | 20Estimated | 23.0% | 2% | |
| Direct installation or testing of new remote sensing hardware or software. | 20Estimated | 23.0% | 2% | |
| Recommend new remote sensing hardware or software acquisitions. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 2% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 29.9%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$117,960
per year
Mean Wage
$123,070
per year
Employment
23K
workers
Wage Range
$61,990 - $191,880
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
Explore other career paths
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Alternate Career Paths
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Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
32%Median salary: $101,390
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Operations Research Analysts
32%Median salary: $91,290
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Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary
32%Median salary: $87,710
Higher risk than 52% of other occupations
Geographers
34%Median salary: $97,200
Higher risk than 63% of other occupations
Geospatial Information Scientists and Technologists
34%Higher risk than 64% of other occupations
Statisticians
38%Median salary: $103,300
Higher risk than 75% of other occupations
Geographic Information Systems Technicians
38%Higher risk than 76% of other occupations
Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Reading Comprehension
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Social Perceptiveness
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Coordination
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Systems Analysis
Systems Analysis will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Monitoring
Monitoring will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change