Non-Destructive Testing Specialists in California
Considering working as a Non-Destructive Testing Specialists in California? Here’s what you need to know. All engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, not listed separately.
What do Non-Destructive Testing Specialists Make in California?
For non-destructive testing specialists working in California, wages run about $83,350 per year (or roughly $40.07/hour).Annual wages span from $50,580 at the 10th percentile to $126,690 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $50,580 | $24.32 |
| 25th percentile | $63,720 | $30.64 |
| Median (50th) | $83,350 | $40.07 |
| 75th percentile | $104,040 | $50.02 |
| 90th percentile | $126,690 | $60.91 |
The job concentration index in California nationwide is 1.04.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, non-destructive testing specialists earn a median of $57,631 per year ($27.71/hour), exceeding the California median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 287,075 non-destructive testing specialists in the U.S.. In California alone, approximately 7,840 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 680 non-destructive testing specialists.
Top California Metros for Non-Destructive Testing Specialists
The metro areas below employ the most non-destructive testing specialists in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 1,940 | $73,480 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 1,490 | $90,900 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 1,440 | $94,800 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 550 | $101,230 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 510 | $82,780 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 420 | $81,460 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 300 | $98,610 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 210 | $79,340 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 110 | $80,520 |
| Fresno, CA | 80 | $80,020 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 60 | $76,590 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 50 | $81,120 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 50 | $77,870 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 40 | $96,980 |
| Vallejo, CA | 30 | $88,990 |
Top States for Non-Destructive Testing Specialists Employment
The table below shows the states where the most non-destructive testing specialists work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Texas | 8,570 |
| California | 7,840 |
| Virginia | 3,810 |
| Maryland | 2,680 |
| Florida | 2,440 |
| Washington | 2,310 |
| New York | 2,200 |
| Georgia | 2,140 |
| Pennsylvania | 2,120 |
| Louisiana | 2,020 |
| Ohio | 1,460 |
| North Carolina | 1,400 |
| Colorado | 1,320 |
| Michigan | 1,290 |
| Illinois | 1,160 |
| Oregon | 1,110 |
| Utah | 1,090 |
| Massachusetts | 1,080 |
| New Jersey | 1,060 |
| Kansas | 970 |
Highest-Paying States for Non-Destructive Testing Specialists
These states pay the most for non-destructive testing specialists.
| 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 |
Skills
Key non-destructive testing specialists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for non-destructive testing specialists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks 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.
- Document non-destructive testing methods, processes, or results.
- Produce images of objects on film, using radiographic techniques.
- Supervise or direct the work of non-destructive testing trainees or staff.
- Conduct liquid penetrant tests to locate surface cracks by coating objects with fluorescent dyes, cleaning excess penetrant, and applying developer.
Work Activities
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Getting Information
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Working with Computers
- Processing Information
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Training and Teaching Others
- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Autodesk AutoCAD, Microsoft Access In-demand technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
- 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 Applied Sciences
- Military Systems & Maintenance
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Related Careers
Related occupations to non-destructive testing specialists include:
- Chemical Engineers
- Industrial Engineers
- Validation Engineers
- Mechanical Engineers
- Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Also Known As
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), NDT Engineer (Non-Destructive Testing Engineer), NDT Inspector (Non-Destructing Testing Inspector), NDT Inspector (Non-Destructive Testing Inspector), NDT Scientist (Non-Destructive Testing Scientist), NDT Specialist (Non-Destructive Testing Specialist), NDT Technical Advisor (Non-Destructive Testing Technical Advisor), NDT Technical Specialist (Non-Destructive Testing Technical Specialist).
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 17-3029.01