Careers / Non-Destructive Testing Specialists
Non-Destructive Testing Specialists — Career Decision Dashboard
United States
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Report generated from official BLS OEWS and O*NET data — United States.
Median annual wage
$78,350
United States, 2025
Employment
59,930
United States, 2025
Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Job Zone 2
Skills identified
35
10 related careers
Career overview
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
- Experience required
- None
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.
Choose a location
Salary analysis — United States
10th percentile
$47,030
25th percentile
$60,390
75th percentile
$99,310
90th percentile
$118,330
Most important skills
- Quality Control Analysis3.9
- Reading Comprehension3.9
- Active Listening3.6
- Critical Thinking3.5
- Monitoring3.4
- Active Learning3.3
- Writing3.3
- Operations Monitoring3.3
- Operation and Control3.1
- Speaking3.1
- Mathematics3.1
- Learning Strategies3.1
What skills do you need?
Select the skills you already have
Skills listed are those O*NET rates at importance 3.0 or above for this occupation. Set your own level on the same 0–7 O*NET scale.
Skill coverage
0%
0 of 22 identified skills
Matched
0
Missing
22
Your selected skills cover approximately 0% of the skills identified for this occupation in O*NET. This is a coverage measure of listed skills only — it is not a qualification, hiring or interview outcome.
Skills to develop
| Skill | Importance | Required level | Your level | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.9 | 4.0 | Not selected | 4.0 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.9 | 3.9 | Not selected | 3.9 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.5 | 3.6 | Not selected | 3.6 |
| Active Listening | 3.6 | 3.4 | Not selected | 3.4 |
| Monitoring | 3.4 | 3.6 | Not selected | 3.6 |
| Active Learning | 3.3 | 3.6 | Not selected | 3.6 |
| Writing | 3.3 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.3 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.1 | 3.3 | Not selected | 3.3 |
| Speaking | 3.1 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Mathematics | 3.1 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.1 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Operation and Control | 3.1 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.1 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.1 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.1 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Instructing | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Science | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Troubleshooting | 3.0 | 2.9 | Not selected | 2.9 |
| Coordination | 3.0 | 2.9 | Not selected | 2.9 |
| Time Management | 3.0 | 2.9 | Not selected | 2.9 |
Ordered by required level gap multiplied by O*NET importance. No prediction or recommendation is implied.
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Compare with Non-Destructive Testing SpecialistsHow salary varies by location
| Location | Median | Employment | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland, ME | $108,850 | 750 | 2025 |
| Bremerton, WA | $108,010 | 1,160 | 2025 |
| Baltimore, MD | $107,140 | 930 | 2025 |
| ME | $107,060 | 810 | 2025 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $105,560 | 450 | 2025 |
| Anchorage, AK | $103,110 | 160 | 2025 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $101,770 | 610 | 2025 |
| NM | $101,750 | 1,390 | 2025 |
| MD | $99,970 | 2,630 | 2025 |
| WA | $99,720 | 2,310 | 2025 |
| Washington, DC | $99,540 | 1,660 | 2025 |
| VA | $98,410 | 3,720 | 2025 |
| Vallejo, CA | $97,470 | 30 | 2025 |
| Charleston, WV | $96,510 | 90 | 2025 |
| Las Cruces, NM | $96,100 | 60 | 2025 |
| Oxnard, CA | $94,810 | 330 | 2025 |
| Providence, RI | $94,570 | 430 | 2025 |
| RI | $94,570 | 380 | 2025 |
| Charleston, SC | $94,520 | 150 | 2025 |
| NV | $93,670 | 590 | 2025 |
Career transition paths
Compare the skills of a career you hold today with Non-Destructive Testing Specialists to see shared skills, target-only skills and skill overlap.
Build a transition comparisonCareer and skills data: O*NET 31.0.
Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, 2025 (May 2025 release).
Figures are periodic published survey snapshots, not real-time market rates.