How To Become A Remote Sensing Analyst: What It Is and Career Path

What is a remote sensing analyst and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Michael Pretes

The job of a remote sensing analyst is to examine data collected from aircraft, satellites, or ground-based platforms to determine its inference about the Earth. To do this, they use a variety of tools, including analysis software, image analysis software, and geographic information systems. They also conduct fieldwork as a part of their job to take measurements and evaluate their findings.

Examples of specific duties of a remote sensing analyst include converting AutoCAD data into geographic data, assisting in the improvement of disaster strategies, configuring servers, and presenting their findings to other professionals and relevant agencies in the field.

One must have at least a bachelor's degree in geography, geology, or environmental science to become a remote sensing analyst. Apart from this, one must have worked in a relevant job position before, ideally at least two to three years.

The average salary of a remote sensing analyst is around $71,000 per year. However, with more experience and education, one can earn as much as $94,000 a year or even higher.

What general advice would you give to a remote sensing analyst?

Michael Pretes

Professor and Chair of Geoscience, University of North Alabama, University of North Alabama

A good knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is essential for many Geography jobs. Also gaining in importance are skills in Remote Sensing, LiDAR, Web GIS, database management, and Python programming. But perhaps most important of all is good communication skills—oral, written, and visual.

ScoreRemote Sensing AnalystUS Average

Salary

5.0

Avg. Salary $63,838

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

5.3

Growth rate 9%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.19%

Asian 14.61%

Black or African American 10.17%

Hispanic or Latino 10.96%

Unknown 5.00%

White 59.07%

Gender

female 45.50%

male 54.50%

Age - 42

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42

Stress level

5.3

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.3

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.8

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a remote sensing analyst

Explore remote sensing analyst education requirements

Most common remote sensing analyst degrees

Bachelor's

59.1 %

Associate

18.1 %

Master's

14.8 %

Start to develop specific remote sensing analyst skills

Skills	Percentages
Troubleshoot	47.25%
Epic	31.32%
Analyze Data	3.79%
Data Collection	3.09%
Remote Sensing	2.12%

Complete relevant remote sensing analyst training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New remote sensing analysts learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a remote sensing analyst based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real remote sensing analyst resumes.

Research remote sensing analyst duties and responsibilities

Manage SCCM for all server and workstation updates.
Manage client data and perform database extraction regularly to make timely data updates.
Configure and maintain FTP, DNS, DHCP, servers.
Work primarily consists of desktop, HMI and local LAN network and server support.

Prepare your remote sensing analyst resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your remote sensing analyst resume.

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