Can Agents Work?

Jobs / Science and research / 19-2099.01

Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists

Apply remote sensing principles and methods to analyze data and solve problems in areas such as natural resource management, urban planning, or homeland security. May develop new sensor systems, analytical techniques, or new applications for existing systems.

US jobs
22,300 (SOC 19-2099 group, "Physical Scientists, All Other")
Median wage
$122,570 a year
Job family
Science and research

Can agents do the work of remote sensing scientists and technologists?

We read the evidence for the whole job family, Science and research: Some tasks (no change in 12 months)

Agents complete 20% or more of the tasks (or projects) on a direct benchmark.

Evidence: CORE-Bench, declared solved.

0% of this occupation's work, by O*NET work activities, is measured by a direct benchmark (figures for the SOC 19-2099 group).

  • 17%Analyze environmental or geospatial dataNot measured
  • 8%Collect environmental or biological samplesNot measured
  • 7%Direct scientific or technical activitiesNot measured
  • 7%Develop systems or practices to mitigate or resolve environmental problemsNot measured
  • 5%Maintain operational recordsNot measured
  • 5%Create visual designs or displaysNot measured
  • 5%Present research or technical informationNot measured
  • 5%Communicate with others about specifications or project detailsNot measured

Benchmarks for the job family

These cover work in science and research, not always this occupation's tasks.

Direct evidence

Work benchmarks mapped primary to this family. They set the step when they report how many tasks agents complete.

  • CORE-Benchby Princeton UniversityTask level · CORE-Bench-Hard accuracy (public test set)
    95.5%Claude Code + Claude Opus 4.5 (after manual regrading) · 3 Dec 2025
    Solved

Also relevant

These benchmarks cover part of this family's work, or have no result yet. They do not set its step.

Typical tasks

From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.

  • 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.
Other job titles for this occupation (47)

Geospatial Intelligence Analyst · Image Scientist · Remote Sensing Analyst · Remote Sensing Scientist · Research Scientist · Scientist · Sensor Specialist · All Source Intelligence Analyst · Commercial Drone Operator · Commercial Drone Pilot · Drone Operator · Drone Pilot · Geospatial Image Analyst · 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 · Remote Pilot · Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) · Remote Sensing Certified Mapping Scientist · Remote Sensing Engineer · Remote Sensing Research Scientist · Remote Sensing Specialist · Remote Sensing Technologist · Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems Controller (RPAS Controller) · Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems Operator (RPAS Operator) · Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems Pilot (RPAS Pilot) · Sensor Assembler · Signal Intelligence Analyst (SIGINT Analyst) · Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator (sUAS Operator) · Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Pilot (sUAS Pilot) · Spectral Scientist · Thermal Intelligence Analyst · Unmanned Aerial Systems Operator (UAS Operator) · Unmanned Aerial Systems Pilot (UAS Pilot) · Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Operator (UAV Operator) · Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Pilot (UAV Pilot) · Unmanned Aircraft Operator (UA Operator) · Unmanned Aircraft Pilot (UA Pilot) · Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator (UAS Operator) · Unmanned Aircraft Systems Pilot (UAS Pilot) · Unmanned Systems Operator · Unmanned Systems Pilot · Weather Algorithm Scientist