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.
Also called: Commercial Drone Operator, Commercial Drone Pilot, Commercial Drone Technician, Digital Cartographic Technician, Document Image Technician, Drone Operator
Median pay
$62,280
Pay for the broader BLS group “Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other”
Pay range (10th–90th)
$39,000 – $102,690
People employed
73,910
Whole BLS group
Holland code
CRI
Conventional · Realistic · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
- 2.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 3.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 4.Are you OK with hours that change?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Remote Sensing Technicians pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (49 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025, for the broader group “Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other”.
What remote sensing technicians do
- 01Collect geospatial data, using technologies such as aerial photography, light and radio wave detection systems, digital satellites, or thermal energy systems.
- 02Verify integrity and accuracy of data contained in remote sensing image analysis systems.
- 03Correct raw data for errors due to factors such as skew or atmospheric variation.
- 04Integrate remotely sensed data with other geospatial data.
- 05Consult with remote sensing scientists, surveyors, cartographers, or engineers to determine project needs.
- 06Adjust remotely sensed images for optimum presentation by using software to select image displays, define image set categories, or choose processing routines.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Mathematics
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
Knowledge
- Geography
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics
- Customer and Personal Service
- Engineering and Technology
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
- Related work experience: over 4 years, up to and including 6 years.
- On-the-job training: over 3 months, up to and including 6 months.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from remote sensing technicians
- Geodetic Surveyors91% · group pay
- Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists87% · group pay
- Cartographers and Photogrammetrists86% · —
- Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians86% · group pay
- Surveying and Mapping Technicians84% · —
Change into remote sensing technicians
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Geodetic Surveyors88% · $75,440
- Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists87% · $122,570
- Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians86% · $116,580
- Surveying and Mapping Technicians82% · $54,240
- Cartographers and Photogrammetrists81% · $81,390
Majors that lead here
- Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, General
- Materials Science
- Materials Chemistry
- Science Technologies/Technicians, General
- Chemical Process Technology
- Physical Science Technologies/Technicians, Other
- Science Technologies/Technicians, Other
- Criminal Justice and Corrections, General
- Criminal Justice/Safety Studies
- Criminalistics and Criminal Science
- Forensic Science and Technology
- Criminology
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.