The median pay for Non-Destructive Testing Specialists is $78,350 a year ($37.67/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 2.8% through 2035, with about 5,400 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Associate's degree.
- SOC 17-3029
- Architecture and Engineering
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Non-Destructive Testing Specialist in four numbers
- Median pay
- $78,350a year, or $37.67/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $47KTop 10% $118K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +2.8%About as fast as averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+2.8%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +2.8% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 5,40062,400 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202562.4K
- Projected 203564.1K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 62.4K Projected 2035 64.1K - Typical education
- Associate'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school68.2%
- Certificate4.6%
- Some college9.1%
- Associate's9.1%
- Bachelor's4.6%
- Post-bacc certificate4.6%
Highest education held by non-destructive testing specialists Segment Value High school 68.2% Certificate 4.6% Some college 9.1% Associate's 9.1% Bachelor's 4.6% Post-bacc certificate 4.6%
Also advertised as: 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).
Pay
How much do Non-Destructive Testing Specialists make?
Every non-destructive testing specialist in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$78,350
Middle half earn $60,390 to $99,310
- 10th
- $47,030
- 25th
- $60,390
- 75th
- $99,310
- 90th
- $118,330
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $47,030 |
| 25th | $60,390 |
| Median | $78,350 |
| 75th | $99,310 |
| 90th | $118,330 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $78,350
- Median hourly wage
- $37.67/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $80,960
- People employed
- 59,930
Versus all US occupations
At $78,350, Non-Destructive Testing Specialists earn 54% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $27,370 a year.
Versus architecture and engineering occupations
Inside the Architecture and Engineering group, where the middle occupation pays $104,110, this is 25% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $118,330 or more while the bottom 10% earn $47,030, a gap of 2.5×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 55% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
Maine posts the highest raw median ($107,060), but once local prices are taken into account New Mexico leads at $110,344 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Non-Destructive Testing Specialists the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Maine | $107,060 | $110,314 | 810 |
| 2New Mexico | $101,750 | $110,344 | 1,390 |
| 3Maryland | $99,970 | $95,247 | 2,630 |
| 4Washington | $99,720 | $93,185 | 2,310 |
| 5Virginia | $98,410 | $97,335 | 3,720 |
| 6Rhode Island | $94,570 | $92,462 | 380 |
| 7Nevada | $93,670 | $93,690 | 590 |
| 8Hawaii | $90,040 | $81,891 | 410 |
| 9Alaska | $89,810 | $87,740 | 380 |
| 10Indiana | $88,880 | $95,233 | 480 |
Job outlook
Is Non-Destructive Testing Specialist a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
About as fast as average. +2.8% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | +2.8% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
About as fast as average
BLS projects employment of Non-Destructive Testing Specialists to change 2.8% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 1,700 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 5,400 openings are projected each year, 8.7% of the 62,400 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become a Non-Destructive Testing Specialist
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Associate's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Little or no preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as non-destructive testing specialists.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)68.2%
- Some College Courses9.1%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree9.1%
- Post-Secondary Certificate4.6%
- Bachelor's Degree4.6%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 68.2% |
| Some College Courses | 9.1% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 9.1% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 4.6% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 4.6% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Non-Destructive Testing Specialist do?
Test the safety of structures, vehicles, or vessels using x-ray, ultrasound, fiber optic or related equipment.
Day-to-day 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.
- Prepare reports on non-destructive testing results.
- Select, calibrate, or operate equipment used in the non-destructive testing of products or materials.
- Document non-destructive testing methods, processes, or results.
- Conduct liquid penetrant tests to locate surface cracks by coating objects with fluorescent dyes, cleaning excess penetrant, and applying developer.
- 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.
- Supervise or direct the work of non-destructive testing trainees or staff.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension3.9
- Active Listening3.6
- Critical Thinking3.5
- Monitoring3.4
- Writing3.3
- Active Learning3.3
- Speaking3.1
- Mathematics3.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 3.9 |
| Active Listening | 3.6 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.5 |
| Monitoring | 3.4 |
| Writing | 3.3 |
| Active Learning | 3.3 |
| Speaking | 3.1 |
| Mathematics | 3.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Quality Control Analysis3.9
- Operations Monitoring3.3
- Complex Problem Solving3.1
- Operation and Control3.1
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1
- Systems Analysis3.1
- Systems Evaluation3.1
- Social Perceptiveness3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.9 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.3 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.1 |
| Operation and Control | 3.1 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.1 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.1 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.1 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Project management software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software
- Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
- Development environment software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Non-Destructive Testing Specialist?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Non-Destructive Testing Specialist |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 6 |
| Investigative | 5 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data.
- Realistic6.4
- Investigative5.0
- Conventional4.6
- Social1.4
- Artistic1.3
- Enterprising1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Non-Destructive Testing Specialist
O*NET related occupations
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$82,890median a year
Most earn $59K to $125K
+11.9%Associate's - Architecture and Engineering
- Architecture and Engineering
Mechanical Engineering Technologist and Technician
$74,510median a year
Most earn $48K to $106K
+1.3%Associate's - Architecture and Engineering
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Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician
$78,190median a year
Most earn $50K to $116K
+2.4%Associate's - Production
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$48,570median a year
Most earn $36K to $78K
+2.5%High school
More architecture and engineering careers
Median annual pay, with non-destructive testing specialists highlighted
- Aerospace Engineer$134,960
- Electrical Engineer$120,630
- Environmental Engineer$107,110
- Mechanical Engineer$104,110
- Automotive Engineer$104,110
- Industrial Engineer$102,440
- Civil Engineer$100,840
- Architect$99,280
- Non-Destructive Testing Specialist$78,350
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineer | $134,960 |
| Electrical Engineer | $120,630 |
| Environmental Engineer | $107,110 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,110 |
| Automotive Engineer | $104,110 |
| Industrial Engineer | $102,440 |
| Civil Engineer | $100,840 |
| Architect | $99,280 |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialist | $78,350 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Non-Destructive Testing Specialist appears on
Questions
Non-Destructive Testing Specialist: frequently asked questions
How much do Non-Destructive Testing Specialists make?
Non-Destructive Testing Specialists earn a median of $78,350 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 54% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $37.67/hr. The middle half earn between $60,390 and $99,310. The top 10% earn $118,330 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Non-Destructive Testing Specialist?
Usually a two-year degree rather than a four-year one. BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical entry-level education for Non-Destructive Testing Specialists. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 68.2% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Non-Destructive Testing Specialist a growing career?
It is stable rather than fast-growing: employment is projected to change 2.8% over 2025–2035, about the same as the 3.5% projected across all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 5,400 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Non-Destructive Testing Specialist do?
Test the safety of structures, vehicles, or vessels using x-ray, ultrasound, fiber optic or related equipment. A core O*NET task: 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. Employers most often ask for Computer aided design CAD software, Data base user interface and query software, Electronic mail software.
Which states pay Non-Destructive Testing Specialists the most?
The highest state medians for Non-Destructive Testing Specialists are Maine ($107,060), New Mexico ($101,750), Maryland ($99,970) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, New Mexico moves to the top at $110,344.
What personality type suits a Non-Destructive Testing Specialist?
O*NET scores Non-Destructive Testing Specialists highest on the Realistic, Investigative and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.