Changing shape

Physical scientists, all other

All physical scientists not listed separately.

AI Resistance Index 18 of 99

Among the careers AI is changing fastest: more resilient than 18% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is high (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it high), and US jobs are projected to change by +2.1% by 2035, slower than average. The work leans on creative vision.

AI can do many of the tasks, and hiring is expected to grow slower than average or to shrink. The job is likely to change, so build the human parts of it.

Median pay (2025): $122,570
Job growth to 2035: +2.1%
Openings a year: 1,400
People doing it (2025): 26,600
Usual route in: Bachelor's degree

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Where people already use AI for this work

Present research or technical information
Compile records, documentation, or other data
Set up equipment

From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).

Work AI rarely helps with

Analyze environmental or geospatial data
Maintain operational records
Direct scientific or technical activities

What the work looks like

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.

From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.

Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook

Materials scientistsGrows with AI, Index 35, +8.3%
Computer hardware engineersGrows with AI, Index 26, +9.1%
Biological scientists, all otherGrows with AI, Index 25, +4.7%
Soil and plant scientistsGrows with AI, Index 41, +6.7%

Also known as: Geospatial Intelligence Analyst, Image Scientist, Remote Sensing Analyst, Remote Sensing Scientist, Research Scientist, Scientist, Sensor Specialist.

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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.