Remote Sensing Technicians
Machines can already do 49% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 79%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Remote Sensing Technicians in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 49% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 10% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2027, and 79% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 73,910 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $62,280 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 63% for contact with people.
- Also called: Digital Cartographic Technician, Geospatial Extractor, Meteorologist Liaison, Research Associate.
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.
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.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collect geospatial data, using technologies such as aerial photography, light and radio wave detection systems, digital satellites, or thermal energy systems | 9% | 30% to 75% | |
| Verify integrity and accuracy of data contained in remote sensing image analysis systems | 8% | 70% to 95% | |
| Integrate remotely sensed data with other geospatial data | 8% | 60% to 90% | |
| Adjust remotely sensed images for optimum presentation by using software to select image displays, define image set categories, or choose processing routines | 8% | 35% to 65% | |
| Consult with remote sensing scientists, surveyors, cartographers, or engineers to determine project needs | 7% | 30% to 60% | |
| Manipulate raw data to enhance interpretation, either on the ground or during remote sensing flights | 7% | 60% to 90% | |
| Correct raw data for errors due to factors such as skew or atmospheric variation | 7% | 60% to 90% | |
| Participate in the planning or development of mapping projects | 5% | 35% to 65% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills remote sensing technicians use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators66% of tasks by 2035 · US median $99,130
- Computer Network Architects73% of tasks by 2035 · US median $134,050
- Software Developers76% of tasks by 2035 · US median $135,980
- Geodetic Surveyors72% of tasks by 2035 · US median $75,440
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Remote Sensing Technicians?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2027. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of remote sensing technicians?
Machines can do 49% of the tasks of remote sensing technicians 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 19-4099.03 (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 and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Remote Sensing Technicians: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/remote-sensing-technicians/