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Aerospace and Satellite Imaging
Maxar, Planet Labs, Airbus Defence and Space
Physical Scientists, All Other
These scientists turn satellite, aircraft, and ground-based data into maps and measurements that show what is changing on the earth’s surface, from vegetation and water to dust and other environmental signals. The work is less about lab bench experiments and more about cleaning imperfect data, writing analysis code, and deciding what the images really prove. The payoff is strong pay for a very specialized job, but the field is small and growth is almost flat.
Also known as Remote Sensing ScientistRemote Sensing AnalystRemote Sensing SpecialistEarth Observation ScientistEarth Observation Analyst
Median Salary
$117,960
Mean $123,070
U.S. Workforce
~23K
2K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+0.6%
31.9K to 32.1K
Entry Education
Bachelor's degree
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Physical Scientists, All Other sits in the Science category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~23K workers, with a median annual pay of $117,960 and roughly 2K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 31.9 K in 2024 to 32.1K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with Bachelor's Degree, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Research Assistant and can progress toward Principal Scientist / Program Lead. High-value skills usually include Geographic Information Systems (ArcGIS Pro, QGIS), Remote Sensing & Earth Observation Platforms, and Python, R & Scientific Computing, paired with soft skills such as Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, and Complex Problem Solving.
Core Responsibilities
- Pull together satellite, aircraft, and ground data and check it for gaps, errors, or obvious bad readings.
- Use mapping and image software to measure things like surface water, vegetation health, or dust movement.
- Clean up raw imagery and format it so the files are easier for other people to use and compare.
- Compare image results with weather records, field surveys, or other measurements to make sure the findings hold up.
Keep exploring: more Science careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Pull together satellite, aircraft, and ground data and check it for gaps, errors, or obvious bad readings.
02 Use mapping and image software to measure things like surface water, vegetation health, or dust movement.
03 Clean up raw imagery and format it so the files are easier for other people to use and compare.
04 Compare image results with weather records, field surveys, or other measurements to make sure the findings hold up.
05 Build or improve scripts that automatically fix image problems, such as distortion or unwanted background noise.
06 Write up results, share maps and findings with coworkers, and keep up with new research and methods in the field.
Industries That Hire
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Environmental Consulting
AECOM, Tetra Tech, ERM
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Defense and Intelligence
Northrop Grumman, RTX, BAE Systems
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Agriculture and Food Technology
John Deere, Bayer, Corteva
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Mapping and Geospatial Software
Esri, Google, Microsoft
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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Pay is strong for a science job, with a median annual wage of $117,960 and a mean of $123,070.
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You can enter the field with a bachelor’s degree, and the BLS says no work experience or on-the-job training is typically required.
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The work is concrete and measurable: you are turning real images and data into maps, counts, and evidence.
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There are about 2,000 annual openings, so people do keep getting hired even though the occupation is small.
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The skills move well across sectors like environmental consulting, defense, agriculture, and satellite imaging.
Challenges
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Growth is almost flat at 0.6% from 2024 to 2034, so this is not a fast-expanding career path.
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The occupation is small, with only about 22,580 workers, which can mean fewer openings in any one city and a tighter job market.
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A lot of jobs depend on government budgets, contracts, or research funding, so projects can change when funding changes.
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Many tasks involve cleaning messy or distorted data, which can be tedious and time-consuming before the real analysis starts.
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Because it is a broad catch-all category, advancement can be unclear unless you move into a more defined specialty, management track, or research niche.
Career Progression
Research Assistant
0-2 years
$55K-$75K
Entry-level work usually focuses on cleaning data, checking image files, and helping senior staff prepare maps and reports.
Remote Sensing Analyst
2-5 years
$76K-$105K
At this stage, workers handle more of the image analysis themselves and start turning raw data into usable measurements.
Physical Scientist, All Other THIS ROLE
5-9 years
$106K-$135K
This level usually owns projects, chooses methods, checks results against outside data, and explains findings to non-specialists.
Senior Remote Sensing Scientist
9-15 years
$136K-$175K
Senior staff lead harder analyses, improve automation, review other people’s work, and guide how data is collected and interpreted.
Principal Scientist / Program Lead
15+ years
$176K-$220K
Top-level roles focus on strategy, major research or contract programs, and high-stakes decisions about methods and deliverables.
Education Paths
Bachelor's Degree
The most common entry point, held by 60% of workers in this role, usually in physics, geography, environmental science, or a related field.
Master's Degree
A common route for deeper specialization, held by 20% of workers in this role, especially for research-heavy or government positions.
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
An alternative path, held by 16% of workers in this role, can help someone with a science degree add remote sensing or GIS skills without starting over.
GIS or Remote Sensing Certificate
A focused certificate can help a science or geography graduate break into the field when combined with projects, internships, or coding practice.
Key Skills
Technical
Geographic Information Systems (ArcGIS Pro, QGIS) 95%
Remote Sensing & Earth Observation Platforms 93%
Python, R & Scientific Computing 90%
Image Analysis & Raster Processing 89%
Statistical Analysis & Model Validation 86%
Google Earth Engine & Cloud Geospatial Tools 82%
Soft Skills
Critical ThinkingReading ComprehensionComplex Problem SolvingWritingSpeakingActive Listening Job Outlook and Trends
+0.6%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
2K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 31.9K to 32.1 K over the next decade, representing 0.6% growth. Around 2 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Moderate. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.