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Job outlook for remote sensing analysts in the United States
Are remote sensing analyst jobs in demand?
Remote sensing analyst job and salary trends over time
Remote sensing analyst jobs over time
Remote sensing analyst job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 343 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 1,042 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 353 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 242 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 240 | 0.00% |
Average remote sensing analyst salary over time
Remote sensing analyst salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $63,838 | $30.69 | +3.4% |
| 2024 | $61,734 | $29.68 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | $60,337 | $29.01 | +0.5% |
| 2022 | $60,017 | $28.85 | +1.2% |
| 2021 | $59,303 | $28.51 | +1.7% |
Remote sensing analyst jobs by state
Most common states for remote sensing analysts
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 286 | 41% |
| 2 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 960 | 11% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 97 | 10% |
| 4 | Alaska | 739,795 | 72 | 10% |
| 5 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 571 | 9% |
| 6 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 483 | 9% |
| 7 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 69 | 9% |
| 8 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 577 | 8% |
| 9 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 82 | 8% |
| 10 | Vermont | 623,657 | 49 | 8% |
| 11 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 393 | 7% |
| 12 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 190 | 7% |
| 13 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 132 | 7% |
| 14 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 97 | 7% |
| 15 | Hawaii | 1,427,538 | 96 | 7% |
| 16 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 69 | 7% |
| 17 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 40 | 7% |
| 18 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 759 | 6% |
| 19 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 582 | 6% |
| 20 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 259 | 6% |
Most common cities for remote sensing analysts
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Annapolis | 3 | 8% | $64,685 |
| 2 | Little Rock | 5 | 3% | $62,156 |
| 3 | Des Moines | 5 | 2% | $65,683 |
| 4 | Bridgeport | 3 | 2% | $64,997 |
| 5 | Phoenix | 10 | 1% | $62,004 |
| 6 | Washington | 8 | 1% | $69,484 |
| 7 | Boston | 7 | 1% | $63,760 |
| 8 | Atlanta | 6 | 1% | $65,963 |
| 9 | Indianapolis | 6 | 1% | $61,311 |
| 10 | Baltimore | 4 | 1% | $64,727 |
| 11 | New Orleans | 4 | 1% | $65,001 |
| 12 | Baton Rouge | 3 | 1% | $64,981 |
| 13 | Birmingham | 3 | 1% | $64,704 |
| 14 | Jacksonville | 4 | 0% | $61,916 |
| 15 | San Francisco | 4 | 0% | $69,110 |
| 16 | Chicago | 3 | 0% | $66,360 |
| 17 | Denver | 3 | 0% | $60,971 |
| 18 | Detroit | 3 | 0% | $63,481 |
Remote Sensing Analyst job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of remote sensing analyst experts
University of North Alabama
Coastal Carolina University
Valparaiso University
University of North Alabama
University of Indianapolis
Colgate University
Montclair State University
What general advice would you give to a Remote Sensing Analyst?
Professor Noel Healy: Students should embrace both flexibility and specialization. There will be opportunities to dive into practical experiences such as internships or field research, in areas that might be both within, and outside your perceived expertise.
What Remote Sensing Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Professor Noel Healy: Geospatial technologies, like GIS, are rapidly evolving and are highly sought-after skillsets. Also, skills in data analysis, environmental modeling, programming skills in R are already increasingly important as industries and governments prioritize sustainability and data-driven decisions.
What will help Remote Sensing Analysts increase their earning potential?
Professor Noel Healy: Focus on developing niche skills that are in high demand, such as GIS expertise, Coding in R, or environmental consulting. Additionally, consider roles in high-paying sectors like technology or government, which often value the diverse skill set that geographers bring.
What Remote Sensing Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Jian Chen: GIS skills, especially web GIS skills will become more important in the next 3-5 years...
What general advice would you give to a Remote Sensing Analyst?
Kathy Kozenski: At this time, thinking spatially is vital to solving problems; an employer is looking for someone who can aggregate disparate pieces of data and information in order to develop creative and unique solutions.
What will help Remote Sensing Analysts increase their earning potential?
Kathy Kozenski: Students who are Geographically Literate and capable of utilizing GIS (geographic information sciences/systems) and Geospatial Technologies enhance their opportunities for employment, across all disciplines and employment fields.
Dr. Carolyn Dillian Ph.D., RPA
Professor of AnthropologyCoastal Carolina University
Geological And Earth Sciences/Geosciences
What Remote Sensing Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Carolyn Dillian Ph.D., RPA: Be flexible and willing to learn. Your college training will be a great background for the field, but you’ll develop and refine your skills through hands-on experience, so be sure to ask questions, seek advice, and find a mentor to help you get started in the field.
What will help Remote Sensing Analysts increase their earning potential?
Dr. Carolyn Dillian Ph.D., RPA: Digital skills are increasingly important in the field, including 3D scanning and modeling, GIS, and the use of drones for recording and assessing structures, among other things. Students and early career professionals should try to take courses that provide an introduction to these technologies, as they are increasingly becoming requirements for employment.
Jon-Paul McCool
Associate Professor of Geography; Environmental Science Program CoordinatorValparaiso University
Natural Resources Conservation And Research
What Remote Sensing Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jon-Paul McCool: Utilize your time as an undergraduate student to set yourself apart. Do some kind of research project that can show your ability to do more than only the assigned work in classes. Utilize your summers to gain additional experience by working relevant jobs and internships. To all extents possible, do not limit yourself spatially. Be willing to travel to far flung locations, at least for a few years, to gain relevant experience after graduating rather than being tied to one specific location or region. You are far more employable with a couple years experience rather than straight out of school.
Michael Pretes
Professor and Chair of Geoscience, University of North AlabamaUniversity of North Alabama
Geography And Cartography
What general advice would you give to a Remote Sensing Analyst?
Michael Pretes: 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.
What will help Remote Sensing Analysts increase their earning potential?
Michael Pretes: Geography and Geographic Information Science (GIS) are two of the most employable degrees out there and they offer the greatest variety of career opportunities. In addition to working as a GIS Technician or GIS Analyst, in which you would be creating maps and databases for many kinds of employers, some Geography and GIS graduates find work as airline pilots, law enforcement officers, in the diplomatic service or military, as historical preservation experts, as urban and community planners, land developers, in business location analysis and marketing, in the travel and hospitality industry, in agriculture, in natural resource management, and in business and law, among other fields. Many Geography and GIS graduates find jobs that involve working outdoors. My advice is to think about what kind of work you like to do, and where you want to live. Many jobs in Geography and GIS involve remote work, and some involve extensive travel. You can really choose your lifestyle and career with a Geography or GIS degree.
David Polly Ph.D.
Professor, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Research Associate, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago Adjunct Professor, Biology Adjunct Professor, AnthropologyUniversity of Indianapolis
Department of Biology
What experience really stands out on Remote Sensing Analyst resumes?
David Polly Ph.D.: Evidence of a good foundation in earth science and analytical skills stands out. That might be through degrees, coursework, internships, or other job experience. A combination of both will serve job applicants well.
What type of skills will young Remote Sensing Analysts need?
Jessica K. Graybill: Creativity and analytical skills are key, alongside the willingness to be familiar with a range of digital applications. For example, it will no longer be enough to just know SPSS or ArcGIS - students need to be familiar with navigating other digital and open-access platforms for data analysis. Entering the workforce in a post-pandemic world, Gen Z will need to be flexible about the times and places in which work occurs (in an office or from home), able to accommodate the health needs of themselves and others, and capable of engaging with - and perhaps even introducing - multiple kinds of digital programs and communications devices as they are rolled out and that will continue to connect us in new ways, and not always in person.
What experience really stands out on Remote Sensing Analyst resumes?
Jessica K. Graybill: A student majoring in economics to go into finance is one in a million and doesn't stand out. It's the unusual background that distinguishes a good resume from a great resume. For example, adding mad spatial analytical skills or fluency in a lesser spoken language to the economics skills changes the equation and makes a graduate memorable. Interesting resumes emphasize unique personal and professional paths because this indicates a graduate's mix of in-depth interests and endeavors that include creativity, risk-taking, and flexibility.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Remote Sensing Analyst job market given the pandemic?
Amy Tuininga Ph.D.: Many positions are moving to remote work, resulting in reduced commuting, less dedicated office space per employee, slightly more flexible work schedules, more deliverable-based work, and broad cross-geographic teams working together from different home locations. We see other trends moving to more analytics and tech/electronic sector positions and fewer positions in the service and hospitality industries. This means that graduates may need to rethink their skill set and be ready to apply it to different sectors than they had initially anticipated. For Sustainability, this means more focus on data analysis and reporting in areas such as climate change, emissions, energy efficiency, renewable energy, waste, supply chain, and food security.