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Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists in California

Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists in California

Thinking about a career as a Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists in California? Here’s what you need to know. All physical scientists not listed separately.

What do Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists Make in California?

For remote sensing scientists and technologists working in California, the median annual wage is $128,250 per year (or about $61.66/hour).Pay can range from $91,250 at the 10th percentile to $205,510 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic Annual Hourly
10th percentile $91,250 $43.87
25th percentile $114,790 $55.19
Median (50th) $128,250 $61.66
75th percentile $165,780 $79.70
90th percentile $205,510 $98.80
Salary ranges for Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists in California

The job concentration index in California nationwide is 0.84, indicating fewer remote sensing scientists and technologists per worker than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, remote sensing scientists and technologists earn a median of $73,261 per year ($35.22/hour), above the California median.

Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists earnings in California vs. the national average

Employment Outlook

National employment for 175,921 remote sensing scientists and technologists in the U.S.. In California alone, approximately 2,220 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 250 remote sensing scientists and technologists.

Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists in California vs. the average state Forecasted number of jobs for Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists

Top California Metros for Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists

These are the California metros with the most remote sensing scientists and technologists in California.

Metro Area Number Employed Annual Median Salary
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA 760 $121,490
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 560 $132,490
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA 300 $174,810
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA 200 $129,540
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA 70 $106,290
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA 60 $121,320
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA 50 $101,760
Bakersfield-Delano, CA 30 $132,270
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA 30 $147,320

Top States for Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists Employment

View the states that employ the most remote sensing scientists and technologists work.

State Number Employed
California 2,220
Maryland 1,900
Texas 1,810
New York 1,600
Virginia 1,560
Indiana 1,240
Georgia 1,040
District of Columbia 860
Colorado 830
New Jersey 820
Pennsylvania 680
Minnesota 600
North Carolina 570
Illinois 560
Massachusetts 520
Washington 510
Ohio 500
Florida 390
Mississippi 380
Louisiana 350

Highest-Paying States for Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists

These states pay the most for remote sensing scientists and technologists.

State Annual Median Salary
Minnesota $167,110
District of Columbia $157,980
Massachusetts $143,640
Maryland $143,210
North Dakota $138,430
Washington $135,080
South Carolina $134,430
Georgia $131,770
Alabama $131,560
Colorado $130,290

Skills

Key remote sensing scientists and technologists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Critical Thinking  4.0 / 5
0
5
Reading Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5
Science  3.9 / 5
0
5
Speaking  3.9 / 5
0
5
Active Listening  3.9 / 5
0
5
Writing  3.9 / 5
0
5

Knowledge Areas

Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Geography  4.8 / 5
0
5
Mathematics  4.2 / 5
0
5
Computers and Electronics  4.2 / 5
0
5
Engineering and Technology  3.9 / 5
0
5
English Language  3.7 / 5
0
5
Physics  3.5 / 5
0
5

Abilities

Top abilities for remote sensing scientists and technologists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Inductive Reasoning  4.2 / 5
0
5
Deductive Reasoning  4.2 / 5
0
5
Oral Expression  4.0 / 5
0
5
Written Expression  4.0 / 5
0
5
Oral Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5
Near Vision  4.0 / 5
0
5

Daily Tasks

Common tasks include:

  • Manage or analyze data obtained from remote sensing systems to obtain meaningful results.
  • Analyze data acquired from aircraft, satellites, or ground-based platforms, using statistical analysis software, image analysis software, or Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
  • Integrate other geospatial data sources into projects.
  • Organize and maintain geospatial data and associated documentation.
  • Compile and format image data to increase its usefulness.
  • Prepare or deliver reports or presentations of geospatial project information.
  • Discuss project goals, equipment requirements, or methodologies with colleagues or team members.
  • Process aerial or satellite imagery to create products such as land cover maps.
  • Design or implement strategies for collection, analysis, or display of geographic data.
  • Develop or build databases for remote sensing or related geospatial project information.
  • Collect supporting data, such as climatic or field survey data, to corroborate remote sensing data analyses.
  • Monitor quality of remote sensing data collection operations to determine if procedural or equipment changes are necessary.

Work Activities

  • Working with Computers
  • Processing Information
  • Analyzing Data or Information
  • Getting Information
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  • Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
  • Documenting/Recording Information
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
  • Thinking Creatively
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Tools & Technology

Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Adobe Creative Cloud software, Amazon DynamoDB, Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2, Amazon Redshift, Amazon Web Services AWS CloudFormation, Amazon Web Services AWS software, Ansible software In-demand technologies: Python

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Several college majors map to this occupation:

  • Natural Sciences
  • Marine Science
  • Other Physical Science

Related occupations to remote sensing scientists and technologists include:

Also Known As

All Source Intelligence Analyst, Commercial Drone Operator, Commercial Drone Pilot, Drone Operator, Drone Pilot, Geospatial Image Analyst, Geospatial Intelligence Analyst, Image Scientist, Imagery Remote Sensing Scientist, LIDAR Analyst (Light Detection and Ranging Analyst), LIDAR Scientist (Light Detection and Ranging Scientist), MASINT Analyst (Measurement and Signatures Intelligence Analyst), Microwave Remote Sensing Scientist, Radar Exploitation Scientist, Radar Scientist.

References

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