Non-Destructive Testing Specialists Career, Salary and Skills
Non-Destructive Testing Specialists have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $78,350 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 59,930. Wage data is published for 237 locations.
Occupation description
Test the safety of structures, vehicles, or vessels using x-ray, ultrasound, fiber optic or related equipment.
O*NET code
17-3029.01
Job zone
2
Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
None
National salary and employment
Median annual
$78,350
Hourly median
$37.67
Employment
59,930
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
$47,030
10th
$60,390
25th
$78,350
Median
$99,310
75th
$118,330
90th
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 3.88 | 3.88 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.88 | 4.00 |
| Active Listening | 3.62 | 3.38 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.50 | 3.62 |
| Monitoring | 3.38 | 3.62 |
| Writing | 3.25 | 3.12 |
| Active Learning | 3.25 | 3.62 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.25 | 3.12 |
| Speaking | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.12 | 3.25 |
Typical tasks
- 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.
Technology
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Dassault Systemes CATIA
- Fractal Concept SoftScan
- GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies Rhythm UT
- Geographic information system GIS systems
- IBM Notes
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft Word
- National Instruments DAQ Assistant
Non-Destructive Testing Specialists salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Non-Destructive Testing Specialists Salary in CAMedian $80,480 · Employment 7,330
- Non-Destructive Testing Specialists Salary in TXMedian $73,860 · Employment 7,110
- Non-Destructive Testing Specialists Salary in VAMedian $98,410 · Employment 3,720
- Non-Destructive Testing Specialists Salary in Houston, TXMedian $76,120 · Employment 2,860
- Non-Destructive Testing Specialists Salary in FLMedian $70,500 · Employment 2,820
- Non-Destructive Testing Specialists Salary in MDMedian $99,970 · Employment 2,630
- Non-Destructive Testing Specialists Salary in WAMedian $99,720 · Employment 2,310
- Non-Destructive Testing Specialists Salary in LAMedian $58,960 · Employment 2,110
- Non-Destructive Testing Specialists Salary in NYMedian $65,530 · Employment 2,000
- Non-Destructive Testing Specialists Salary in GAMedian $68,370 · Employment 1,890
- Non-Destructive Testing Specialists Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $69,890 · Employment 1,770
- Non-Destructive Testing Specialists Salary in Washington, DCMedian $99,540 · Employment 1,660
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- Environmental Engineering Technologists and TechniciansNational median $59,920
- Industrial Engineering Technologists and TechniciansNational median $66,120
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Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.