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.
AI Impact Summary
Remote Sensing Technicians faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 45/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 91% of all analyzed occupations. Of 22 analyzed tasks, 9 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 Information Ordering 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.
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.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Negotiation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Remote Sensing Technicians 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
Systems Thinking In Practice
by The Open University
Estimated Impact
Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Leading People and Teams Specialization
by University of Michigan
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
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
22 tasks analyzed
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.
Correct raw data for errors due to factors such as skew or atmospheric variation.
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.
Merge scanned images or build photo mosaics of large areas, using image processing software.
Calibrate data collection equipment.
Develop or maintain geospatial information databases.
Monitor raw data quality during collection and make equipment corrections as necessary.
Participate in the planning or development of mapping projects.
Maintain records of survey data.
Operate airborne remote sensing equipment, such as survey cameras, sensors, or scanners.
Evaluate remote sensing project requirements to determine the types of equipment or computer software necessary to meet project requirements, such as specific image types or output resolutions.
Collect verification data on the ground, using equipment such as global positioning receivers, digital cameras, or notebook computers.
Document methods used and write technical reports containing information collected.
Develop specialized computer software routines to customize and integrate image analysis.
Prepare documentation or presentations, including charts, photos, or graphs.
Collaborate with agricultural workers to apply remote sensing information to efforts to reduce negative environmental impacts of farming practices.
Provide remote sensing data for use in addressing environmental issues, such as surface water modeling or dust cloud detection.
Collect remote sensing data for forest or carbon tracking activities involved in assessing the impact of environmental change.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collect geospatial data, using technologies such as aerial photography, light and radio wave detection systems, digital satellites, or thermal energy systems. | 87Estimated | 84.0% | 6% | |
| Verify integrity and accuracy of data contained in remote sensing image analysis systems. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 6% | |
| Correct raw data for errors due to factors such as skew or atmospheric variation. | 80Estimated | 59.0% | 5% | |
| Integrate remotely sensed data with other geospatial data. | 70Estimated | 55.0% | 6% | |
| Consult with remote sensing scientists, surveyors, cartographers, or engineers to determine project needs. | 30Estimated | 27.0% | 5% | |
| Adjust remotely sensed images for optimum presentation by using software to select image displays, define image set categories, or choose processing routines. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 6% | |
| Manipulate raw data to enhance interpretation, either on the ground or during remote sensing flights. | 70Estimated | 55.0% | 5% | |
| Merge scanned images or build photo mosaics of large areas, using image processing software. | 95Estimated | 87.2% | 5% | |
| Calibrate data collection equipment. | 56.03Observed | 55.4% | 3% | |
| Develop or maintain geospatial information databases. | 87Estimated | 84.0% | 5% | |
| Monitor raw data quality during collection and make equipment corrections as necessary. | 27.32Observed | 60.1% | 4% | |
| Participate in the planning or development of mapping projects. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 5% | |
| Maintain records of survey data. | 95Estimated | 87.2% | 3% | |
| Operate airborne remote sensing equipment, such as survey cameras, sensors, or scanners. | 75Estimated | 63.0% | 4% | |
| Evaluate remote sensing project requirements to determine the types of equipment or computer software necessary to meet project requirements, such as specific image types or output resolutions. | 55Estimated | 49.0% | 4% | |
| Collect verification data on the ground, using equipment such as global positioning receivers, digital cameras, or notebook computers. | 20Estimated | 17.0% | 4% | |
| Document methods used and write technical reports containing information collected. | 41.52Observed | 65.8% | 5% | |
| Develop specialized computer software routines to customize and integrate image analysis. | 47.45Observed | 46.0% | 5% | |
| Prepare documentation or presentations, including charts, photos, or graphs. | 53.7Observed | 70.7% | 5% | |
| Collaborate with agricultural workers to apply remote sensing information to efforts to reduce negative environmental impacts of farming practices. | 30Estimated | 27.0% | 3% | |
| Provide remote sensing data for use in addressing environmental issues, such as surface water modeling or dust cloud detection. | 87Estimated | 84.0% | 3% | |
| Collect remote sensing data for forest or carbon tracking activities involved in assessing the impact of environmental change. | 90Estimated | 85.2% | 3% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 28.3%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$60,130
per year
Mean Wage
$64,640
per year
Employment
71K
workers
Wage Range
$37,310 - $101,870
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
Explore other career paths
Compare displacement risk across occupations and find careers with stronger long-term prospects.
Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Remote Sensing Technicians professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering 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.
- 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.
- Programming
Programming 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.
- 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.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Coordination
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Social Perceptiveness
Social Perceptiveness 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.
- 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.
- Systems Analysis
Systems Analysis 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.
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change