Occupations · Life, Physical, and Social Science

Remote Sensing Technicians

Apply remote sensing technologies to assist scientists in areas such as natural resources, urban planning, or homeland security. May prepare flight plans or sensor configurations for flight trips.

O*NET 30.3 Database (USDOL/ETA) · occupation code 19-4099.03

What people in this job actually do

Ordered by how important the work is rated.

Collect geospatial data, using technologies such as aerial photography, light and radio wave detection systems, digital satellites, or thermal energy systems.
Verify integrity and accuracy of data contained in remote sensing image analysis systems.
Correct raw data for errors due to factors such as skew or atmospheric variation.
Integrate remotely sensed data with other geospatial data.
Consult with remote sensing scientists, surveyors, cartographers, or engineers to determine project needs.
Adjust remotely sensed images for optimum presentation by using software to select image displays, define image set categories, or choose processing routines.
Manipulate raw data to enhance interpretation, either on the ground or during remote sensing flights.
Merge scanned images or build photo mosaics of large areas, using image processing software.
Calibrate data collection equipment.
Develop or maintain geospatial information databases.
Monitor raw data quality during collection, and make equipment corrections as necessary.
Participate in the planning or development of mapping projects.

O*NET 30.3 task ratings, importance scale

Skills that matter most

Importance, rated 1 to 5.

Critical Thinking3.8

Reading Comprehension3.5

Speaking3.5

Mathematics3.5

Active Listening3.4

Monitoring3.4

Writing3.2

Active Learning3.0

Learning Strategies2.8

Science2.6

O*NET 30.3 skills, importance scale

Software and tools

A dot marks what O*NET flags as in demand.

AJAX●Adobe Creative Cloud software●Adobe Photoshop●Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2●Amazon Web Services AWS software●Ansible software●Atlassian Confluence●Atlassian JIRA●Autodesk AutoCAD●Bentley MicroStation●C●C#●C++●Cascading style sheets CSS●ESRI ArcGIS software●Git●GitHub●Google Analytics●Hypertext markup language HTML●JavaScript●Linux●Microsoft .NET Framework●Microsoft Access●Microsoft Azure software●Microsoft Excel●Microsoft Office software●Microsoft Outlook●Microsoft PowerPoint●

O*NET 30.3 software skills · hot-technology flag

What this work is actually like

Conditions rated against the average across all occupations — only what makes this job different is listed.

4 / 5Considerable preparation — a four-year degree plus several years in the field.

O*NET 30.3 Job Zones

Working conditions that stand out

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets−1.7 below average

Health and Safety of Other Workers−1.4 below average

Spend Time Sitting+1.3 above average

Spend Time Standing−1.3 below average

Exposed to Contaminants−1.2 below average

Public Speaking−1.1 below average

Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions−1.0 below average

O*NET 30.3 work context, frequency scale · observed 2012-07

How people actually get in

Share of workers by the education they hold.

Bachelor's Degree62%

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)9%

Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)9%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master.8%

O*NET 30.2 education, training and experience · observed 2012-07

What kind of person the work suits

Occupational interest profile, rated 1 to 7.

Conventional5.2

Realistic5.1

Investigative4.6

O*NET 30.2 occupational interests (RIASEC)

Tasks O*NET flags as emerging

Operate remote sensing equipment on drones to collect data in areas that are difficult to access or require high-resolution imagery.

O*NET 30.3 emerging tasks

What you take with you

Skills rated for how well they transfer into other occupations.

Systems Analysis3.4

Judgment and Decision Making3.4

Complex Problem Solving3.2

Coordination3.1

Social Perceptiveness2.9

Time Management2.9

Quality Control Analysis2.9

Systems Evaluation2.8

O*NET 30.3 transferable skills, importance scale

Knowledge the work draws on

GeographyComputers and ElectronicsMathematicsCustomer and Personal ServiceEngineering and TechnologyProduction and Processing

Abilities it leans on

Deductive ReasoningInformation OrderingProblem SensitivityNear VisionOral ExpressionOral Comprehension

O*NET 30.3 abilities and knowledge, importance scale

How this job is advertised

The same work is posted under many titles — this is what to search for.

ScannerDrone PilotRemote PilotDrone OperatorRemote MonitorImage ScientistImagery AnalystDrone TechnicianResearch AssociateGeospatial ExtractorMeteorologist LiaisonCommercial Drone PilotVerification TechnicianCommercial Drone Operator

O*NET 30.3 job titles reported for this occupation

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What changed since 2015

Comparing O*NET release 20.1 (2015-10-01) with 30.3 (2026-05-01). Signs, not colour alone, carry the meaning. 3 entries that were only relabelled between releases are left out.

Now listed 65

+JavaScript+Oracle Database+GeoCue PointVue LE+Salesforce software+Hypertext markup language HTML+Microsoft Windows+Atlassian JIRA+Atlassian Confluence+Microsoft SQL Server+Debugging software+Verilog+OpenDroneMap+Agisoft Metashape+QGIS

No longer listed 3

−Oracle software−GeoCue Corporation GeoCue software−GeoCue Corporation PointVue LE

Diff across the O*NET releases held here in full since October 2015, following occupations through merges and retirements. O*NET re-surveys occupations on a rolling cycle, so “no change” can also mean “not re-surveyed”.

O*NET 30.3 related occupations

Also called

ScannerCompilerDrone PilotRemote PilotDrone OperatorRemote MonitorImagery AnalystProject ManagerImage ScientistDrone TechnicianMosaic TechnicianResearch Associate

O*NET 30.3 alternative titles

The same work in Europe

ESCO occupation	ISCO	Match
remote sensing technician	3111.13	exact
hydrographic surveying technician	3111.5	close

Official ESCO ↔ O*NET crosswalk (ESCO Secretariat with USDOL/ETA)

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