Also called: Geospatial Intelligence Analyst, Imagery Analyst
Studies satellite photos to spot changes, from military activity to illegal mining or crop failures.
You compare yesterday's and today's satellite images of an airfield or a rainforest, mark what changed, and write short reports for decision-makers.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in geography or a science, or military imagery analyst training; security clearance for many roles.
Ways in: 4-year college, Military, On-the-job training. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Geography (GIS), Geology, Intelligence Studies.
Growing about average. BLS does not project this specialty separately; rating estimated from related occupations.
High risk for 10 years. AI change-detection now flags what moved in satellite photos; far fewer human analysts needed for routine work.
Classes: AP Human Geography, Statistics, Computer applications.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-2099.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.