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The differences between remote sensing engineers and remote sensing scientists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a remote sensing engineer and a remote sensing scientist. Additionally, a remote sensing engineer has an average salary of $93,371, which is higher than the $85,891 average annual salary of a remote sensing scientist.
The top three skills for a remote sensing engineer include remote sensing, RF and lidar. The most important skills for a remote sensing scientist are remote sensing, data analysis, and lidar.
| Remote Sensing Engineer | Remote Sensing Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $93,371 | $85,891 |
| Hourly rate | $44.89 | $41.29 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 74,159 | 59,563 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A remote sensing engineer applies remote sensing principles and methods to analyze data and solve problems in areas such as natural resource management and urban planning. They may develop new sensor systems, analytical techniques, or new applications for existing systems. Their duties and responsibilities also include designing or implementing strategies for collection, analysis, or display of geographic data.
A remote sensing scientist specializes in developing and upgrading sensing technology, which is usually used in surveillance and security cameras. The remote sensing scientist improves motion detection, night vision, infrared sensing, camera technology, and surveillance. Security is an important part of any business, and it is vital for a remote sensing scientist always to upgrade sensing technology regularly. The remote sensing scientist also gathers information, analyzes it, and provides management with a comprehensive report on what to improve and develop.
Remote sensing engineers and remote sensing scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Remote Sensing Engineer | Remote Sensing Scientist | |
| Average salary | $93,371 | $85,891 |
| Salary range | Between $61,000 And $141,000 | Between $53,000 And $137,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Oakland, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | - |
There are a few differences between a remote sensing engineer and a remote sensing scientist in terms of educational background:
| Remote Sensing Engineer | Remote Sensing Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Geography |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between remote sensing engineers' and remote sensing scientists' demographics:
| Remote Sensing Engineer | Remote Sensing Scientist | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.7% Female, 9.3% | Male, 62.1% Female, 37.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 6.6% Asian, 28.9% White, 56.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 3.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 6.6% Asian, 28.9% White, 56.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |