Drafters, Engineering Technicians, and Mapping Technicians

How to become a Non-Destructive Testing Specialist

Official title: Non-Destructive Testing Specialists

Also called: Industrial Radiographer, NDE Technician (Non-Destructive Evaluation Technician), NDT Coordinator (Non-Destructive Testing Coordinator), NDT Inspector (Non-Destructing Testing Inspector), NDT Specialist (Non-Destructive Testing Specialist), NDT Technical Specialist (Non-Destructive Testing Technical Specialist), NDT Technician (Non-Destructive Testing Technician)

Test the safety of structures, vehicles, or vessels using x-ray, ultrasound, fiber optic or related equipment.

Main 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.

How to become one

Typical education to start: Associate's degree

Ways in

Apprenticeship: Non-Destructive Tester.
Certificate or associate's degree: Associate's degree. Programs such as Applied Engineering Technologies/Technicians; Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians; Laser and Optical Technology/Technician

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $78,350 a year The middle half earn $60,390 to $99,310.
About 62,400 people work in this job now, and about 64,100 are projected by 2035. (+2.8%)
People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Questions people ask

How do I become a Non-Destructive Testing Specialist?

Ways in include: Associate's degree; Non-Destructive Tester.

How much does a Non-Destructive Testing Specialist earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $78,350 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $60,390 to $99,310.

Is a Non-Destructive Testing Specialist a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 3% by 2035, from about 62,400 to about 64,100 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Non-Destructive Testing Specialist?

Usually not. Only 23% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Associate's degree; Non-Destructive Tester.

Will AI change the work of a Non-Destructive Testing Specialist?

People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.