Non-Destructive Testing Specialists: Career Profile
Test the safety of structures, vehicles, or vessels using x-ray, ultrasound, fiber optic or related equipment.
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The Daily Work of Non-Destructive Testing Specialists Take On?
Typical responsibilities of non-destructive testing specialists include:
- Interpret the results of all methods of non-destructive testing (NDT), such as acoustic emission, electromagnetic, leak, liquid penetrant, magnetic particle, neutron radiographic, radiographic, thermal or infrared, ultrasonic, vibration analysis, and visual testing.
- Interpret or evaluate test results in accordance with applicable codes, standards, specifications, or procedures.
- Identify defects in solid materials, using ultrasonic testing techniques.
- Make radiographic images to detect flaws in objects while leaving objects intact.
- Prepare reports on non-destructive testing results.
- Select, calibrate, or operate equipment used in the non-destructive testing of products or materials.
- Visually examine materials, structures, or components for signs of corrosion, metal fatigue, cracks, or other flaws, using tools and equipment such as endoscopes, closed-circuit television systems, and fiber optics.
- Examine structures or vehicles such as aircraft, trains, nuclear reactors, bridges, dams, and pipelines, using non-destructive testing techniques.
What Non-Destructive Testing Specialists Need to Know
Successful non-destructive testing specialists combine a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Most Important Skills
The competencies that matter most in this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Core Knowledge
Related Job Titles
Common job titles for this role include:
- Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)
- Corrosion Control Technician (Corrosion Control Tech)
- Corrosion Technician (Corrosion Tech)
- Industrial Radiographer
- NDE Specialist (Non-Destructive Evaluation Specialist)
- NDE Technician (Non-Destructive Evaluation Technician)
- NDI Technician (Non-Destructive Inspection Technician)
- NDT Coordinator (Non-Destructive Testing Coordinator)
How Many Non-Destructive Testing Specialists Are There?
The U.S. employs around 287,075 non-destructive testing specialists working in the United States today. This occupation is expected to grow by +3.0% over the projection horizon.
Salary for Non-Destructive Testing Specialists
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $57,631 |
| Hourly median | $27.71 |
| 10th percentile | $36,723 |
| 25th percentile | $47,177 |
| 75th percentile | $68,085 |
| 90th percentile | $78,539 |
Pay can vary substantially based on experience, location, and industry.
Non-Destructive Testing Specialists Salary by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $109,120 |
| New Mexico | $107,310 |
| Maryland | $104,830 |
| Maine | $101,500 |
| Rhode Island | $98,340 |
| Washington | $96,120 |
| Virginia | $95,640 |
| Hawaii | $90,380 |
| Nevada | $88,860 |
| California | $83,350 |
| Connecticut | $82,700 |
| New Jersey | $81,550 |
| Alabama | $81,060 |
| Indiana | $80,830 |
| Wyoming | $79,790 |
| Mississippi | $79,790 |
| Oklahoma | $79,020 |
| Illinois | $78,730 |
| Minnesota | $78,490 |
| North Dakota | $77,940 |
| Alaska | $77,800 |
| Oregon | $75,130 |
| West Virginia | $74,960 |
| Colorado | $74,360 |
| North Carolina | $74,210 |
| South Carolina | $73,890 |
| Florida | $72,790 |
| Texas | $72,550 |
| Missouri | $71,050 |
| New Hampshire | $70,730 |
| Ohio | $68,170 |
| Michigan | $66,820 |
| Pennsylvania | $65,980 |
| Delaware | $65,930 |
| Massachusetts | $65,890 |
| Wisconsin | $65,790 |
| Louisiana | $65,740 |
| Utah | $64,680 |
| Tennessee | $64,590 |
| Kentucky | $64,360 |
| New York | $64,080 |
| Arkansas | $63,980 |
| Iowa | $63,960 |
| Idaho | $63,920 |
| Arizona | $63,570 |
| Georgia | $60,960 |
| Montana | $60,600 |
| Nebraska | $60,310 |
| Kansas | $60,130 |
| Vermont | $58,350 |
| Puerto Rico | $40,090 |
Pay by U.S. Region
Compensation for non-destructive testing specialists differ across the country. These regions lead on median pay:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Far Western US | $85,167 | 21.0% | 1.30 |
| Middle Atlantic | $81,360 | 13.9% | 1.21 |
| New England | $80,755 | 5.7% | 1.63 |
| Southeast | $75,712 | 25.1% | 1.35 |
| Southwest | $73,140 | 15.5% | 1.46 |
| Great Lakes | $71,587 | 8.4% | 0.57 |
| Rocky Mountains | $69,042 | 5.1% | 1.23 |
| Plains States | $67,441 | 5.2% | 0.92 |
Highest-Paying Metro Areas for Non-Destructive Testing Specialists
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | MD | $107,580 | 1,070 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | DC | $107,580 | 1,460 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | WA | $103,850 | 1,160 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | ME | $102,340 | 800 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | CA | $101,230 | 550 |
| Lexington Park, MD | MD | $100,770 | 530 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | CA | $98,610 | 300 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | CA | $96,980 | 40 |
Which Industries Hire Non-Destructive Testing Specialists
The bulk of non-destructive testing specialists work in these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 19,500 | $70,520 |
| Manufacturing | 17,150 | $68,010 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 1,460 | $66,920 |
| Educational Services | 1,380 | $63,000 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 1,360 | $77,840 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | 1,030 | $83,620 |
| Wholesale Trade | 950 | $66,870 |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 750 | $86,450 |
Below are examples of industries where non-destructive testing specialists work:
Tools and Technology
- Computer aided design CAD software: Autodesk AutoCAD (hot technology)
- Data base user interface and query software: Microsoft Access (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Project management software: Microsoft Project (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software: SAP software (hot technology)
Work Environment
The work environment for non-destructive testing specialists tends to involve the following characteristics:
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Telephone Conversations
How to Become Non-Destructive Testing Specialists
Most non-destructive testing specialists positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education. This occupation sits in Some Preparation Needed (Job Zone 2), indicating the level of preparation typically expected.
Related Careers
Similar Occupations
- Chemical Engineers (Supplemental)
- Industrial Engineers (Supplemental)
- Validation Engineers (Supplemental)
- Mechanical Engineers (Supplemental)
- Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians (Primary-Short)
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians (Primary-Short)
- Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians (Supplemental)
- Robotics Technicians (Primary-Long)
Degree Programs
Students preparing for non-destructive testing specialists often complete programs in:
Engineering Technologies and Engineering-Related Fields
30 programs across 13 majors
- Environmental Control Technology
- Computer Engineering
- Architectural Engineering
- Electromechanical Engineering
- Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians
- Industrial Production Technology
- Engineering-Related Fields
- Electronics Engineering
- Nuclear Engineering
- General Engineering Technology
- Engineering-Related Technologies
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mining & Petroleum Technology
Military Technologies and Applied Sciences
4 programs across 2 majors
References
Statistics shown above are sourced from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 17-3029.01 (Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other).
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