Remote Sensing Technicians

The outlook is bright for remote sensing technicians. Private, commercial, government, and military employers will continue to need remote sensing technicians to gather and analyze information for a variety of purposes. Technicians will be in demand in industries such as agriculture, archaeology, environmental sciences, meteorology, engineering, urban planning, and water management. The data they collect contributes to climate change studies and closer examination of natural disaster sites. The U.S. Department of Labor predicts faster than average employment growth for all workers in life, physical, and social science occupations through 2033. Cartographers and photogrammetrists, whose tasks overlap those of remote sensing professionals, will also experience faster-than-average employment growth in that same time frame.

An increase in the use of maps for government planning and the growth of mobile and Web-based map products is adding to this job growth. Remote sensing technicians with strong knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and other remote sensing programs and equipment will have an advantage in the job market.