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US job code 19-2099.01Very high change by 2035

Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists

Machines can already do 50% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 79%. Most of the work is changing now.

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Share of the work machines can do

Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050

100%75%50%25%20262035205050%

Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists in 2026: the short answer

  • Today: machines can do 50% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 4% of them.
  • Forecast: machines can already do half of its tasks, and 79% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
  • Size: 22,300 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $122,570 a year.
  • Contact with people: it scores 59% for contact with people.
  • Also called: Geospatial Intelligence Analyst, Image Scientist, Remote Sensing Analyst, Remote Sensing Scientist.
  • Competency here means how well the best AI model, tool or robot available can do a task, scored out of 100: today using the best available now, and for later years the 311 prediction of what AI and robots will be able to do.

Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.

Machines can do today
50%of the tasks, 2026
By 2035
79%of the tasks
US median pay
$122,570a year, May 2025
US jobs
22k22,300 people
Contact with people
59%how people-facing
Step 1AnticipateWhat is changing? Free to everyone

How the work changes, task by task

The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.

TaskShare of the dayMachines can do2026 to 2035
Analyze data acquired from aircraft, satellites, or ground-based platforms, using statistical analysis software, image analysis software, or Geographic Information Systems (GIS)13%
60% to 90%
Manage or analyze data obtained from remote sensing systems to obtain meaningful results12%
60% to 90%
Prepare or deliver reports or presentations of geospatial project information7%
70% to 95%
Discuss project goals, equipment requirements, or methodologies with colleagues or team members7%
30% to 60%
Process aerial or satellite imagery to create products such as land cover maps7%
70% to 95%
Integrate other geospatial data sources into projects6%
60% to 90%
Organize and maintain geospatial data and associated documentation5%
70% to 95%
Compile and format image data to increase its usefulness5%
84% to 97%
Step 2AssessWhy should I care? Free to everyone

The skills this job runs on

The skills remote sensing scientists and technologists use most, most used first.

Professionalism and work ethicAnalysis and dataIT and softwareLearning aptitude and mindsetCreative and innovative thinkingEngineering designCommunicationResearch methodsAdaptability and resilienceCritical thinking and problem solvingInterdisciplinary thinkingMoral intelligence and integritySelf-managementEntrepreneurial mindsetInterpersonal skills

Human value: what makes people in this job hard to replace

How much remote sensing scientists and technologists rely on each one, from 0 to 10. 311 estimates, medium confidence.

  • Go-to problem solver8/10
  • Trust and reliability8/10
  • Know-how about the organisation4/10
  • Network and relationships5/10
  • Mentoring and developing others2/10
  • Culture and morale4/10
  • Initiative beyond the role7/10
  • Calm in a crisis6/10
  • Bridge between teams4/10
  • Reputation and influence6/10

Safer jobs nearby

Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.

Step 3ActWhat do I do about it? Free plan and up
What do I do about it

What should you do about it?

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Questions

When will machines do half of the tasks of Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists?

Machines can already do half of its tasks. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.

Will AI take the job of remote sensing scientists and technologists?

Machines can do 50% of the tasks of remote sensing scientists and technologists today and 79% by 2035. Most of the routine work moves to machines, and the people in the job move to oversight, judgement and client work.

Sources and citing

Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 19-2099.01 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring, forecast and human value: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit (human value scores are 311 estimates, medium confidence); after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.

Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/remote-sensing-scientists-and-technologists/