Engineering
Non-Destructive Testing Specialists
Test the safety of structures, vehicles, or vessels using x-ray, ultrasound, fiber optic or related equipment.
Median salary (BLS)
$78,350
10th–90th percentile (BLS)
$47k – $118k
Job outlook
+2% (about average)
AI exposure
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports one wage for this occupational group, which covers 2 related roles — so read the median as an approximate group figure, and the range as the truer picture for this specific title. BLS source.
Plan a path to Non-Destructive Testing Specialists
Education
Typical entry: No degree required
Plan my path to this →Typical progression
Junior Non-Destructive Testing Specialists
Entry / Junior
$47,030
~2 yrs to advance
Non-Destructive Testing Specialists
Established
$78,350
~3 yrs to advance
Senior Non-Destructive Testing Specialists
Senior
$98,340
Key skills
A typical day
- •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.
Fields of study
Any field
Top colleges for Engineering
Explore all- Massachusetts Institute of Technology4% admit · $124,000 grad pay
- Stanford University4% admit · $122,000 grad pay
- University of California, Berkeley11% admit · $97,000 grad pay
- Georgia Institute of Technology16% admit · $99,000 grad pay
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign45% admit · $80,000 grad pay
Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.