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Non-Destructive Testing Specialists

$73,500 Median Wage (2023)

6,300 Projected job openings (2023-2033)

4.40% Projected growth (2023-2033)

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

Experience Requirements Overview

Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education, Training and Experience

Required Level of Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

Related Work Experience: N.A.

On-Site or In-Plant Training: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months

On-the-Job Training: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years

Detailed Work Activities

Supervise engineering or other technical personnel.
Measure physical or chemical properties of materials or objects.
Devise research or testing protocols.
Document design or operational test results.
Inspect finished products to locate flaws.
Interpret design or operational test results.
Test characteristics of materials or structures.
Select tools, equipment, or technologies for use in operations or projects.
Calibrate scientific or technical equipment.
Operate industrial equipment.
Test performance of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or integrated systems or equipment.
Inspect equipment or systems.

Work Values

Achievement

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions

Recognition

Relationships

Support

Independence

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.
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.
Map the presence of imperfections within objects, using sonic measurements.
Develop or use new non-destructive testing methods, such as acoustic emission testing, leak testing, and thermal or infrared testing.
Identify defects in concrete or other building materials, using thermal or infrared testing.
Evaluate material properties, using radio astronomy, voltage and amperage measurement, or rheometric flow measurement.

Work Styles

Achievement/Effort

Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Persistence

Initiative

Leadership

Cooperation

Concern for Others

Social Orientation

Self-Control

Stress Tolerance

Adaptability/Flexibility

Dependability

Attention to Detail

Integrity

Independence

Innovation

Analytical Thinking

Data Source: This page includes information from the O*NET 28.0 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. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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