NDT Technician Job Description

ndt technician

NDT Technician (Non-Destructive Testing Technician) (also known as an NDT Specialist, or NDT Inspector) is a skilled professional who examines vehicles, structures, and products for flaws and structural weaknesses by using various non-destructive testing techniques. Next, they conduct material testing, result interpretation, and report generation on their findings. Besides this, they also develop testing procedures and calibrate test equipment. Ultimately, an NDT technician provides detailed and reliable information about structural stability that leads to improved quality and safety.


Post Highlights:

  • Educational Qualifications
  • Certification/License
  • Work Experience
  • Duties/Responsibilities
  • Abilities/Skills
  • Work Environment
  • Physical Requirements
  • Top Industries
  • Job Types
  • Salary Information
  • Benefits/Perks

Educational Qualifications

The education level is as follows-

  • High School Diploma or GED
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering, or Similar

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Certification/License

The preferred certifications are as follows-

  • Radiation Safety Certification
  • Any Relevant NDT certification

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Note: Aspiring individuals can get NDT Certification from the American Society for Nondestructive Testing

Work Experience

They are as follows-

  • As an NDT Technician Experience
  • Liquid Penetration Test Experience
  • Occupational Function Experience
  • Welding, Fabrication, Repair, and Corrosion Mechanism Experience

Duties/Responsibilities

The job responsibilities are as follows-

  • Assist in the NDT examination techniques
  • Blend surface indications or discontinuities with a grinder (manually)
  • Complete test reports, and present findings
  • Conduct radiography and liquid penetrant test
  • Develop inspection and test plans for pipeline locations with external corrosion
  • Document and transmit inspection results
  • Identify structural and material defects
  • Inspect areas of possible external corrosion
  • Interpreting test results
  • Maintain NTD equipment
  • May instruct and supervise others (if required)
  • Perform specialized inspections of blended areas
  • Set up and calibrate NDT equipment
  • Travel to clients’ locations (if required)

Abilities/Skills

The preferred competencies are as follows-

  • Able to follow directions/procedures
  • Able to read/interpret blueprints
  • Adaptable to the changing schedules
  • Advanced knowledge of NDT technologies
  • Capable of working within a team environment
  • Computer literate (MS Word, Excel, and Outlook)
  • Excellent report-writing skills
  • Good communication skills
  • Mechanical aptitude
  • Possess detailed-oriented mind
  • Possess strong work ethic
  • Reading and interpreting proficiency in manufacturing drawings
  • Safety and quality awareness
  • Willingness to travel from time to time

Work Environment

  • Individuals need to work in confined spaces, working in extreme cold and heat, with visual acuity, working near hazards including moving mechanical parts, working near electrical components, and being exposed to chemicals
  • May work in clean laboratories, factory floors, or outdoors.

Physical Requirements

  • Climb and work at heights, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, handling, standing for long periods, walking, pushing, pulling, and repetitive motion
  • Frequently lift and carry objects up to 75 pounds on loose, rough, or uneven terrain
  • Occasionally exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects up to 150 pounds with assistance

Top Industries

The working places are as follows-

  • Aerospace Industry
  • Automobile Industry
  • Construction Industry
  • College/University (Research)
  • Fabrication Industry
  • Marine Industry
  • Oil and Gas Industry
  • Petrochemical Industry
  • Pipeline Industry
  • Power Generation Industry
  • Pulp and Paper Industry

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Job Types

The job positions are as follows-

  • Entry-Level NDT Technician
  • Metallurgical Technician (NDT)
  • NDT Assistant Technician
  • NDT Quality Technician
  • NDT Technician
  • NDT Test Technician

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Salary Information

On average, an NDT Technician earns $23.93 hourly and $46,591 yearly in the United States. Along with this, they also get money in the form of bonuses, and overtime. The average salary does not the same in all places. Some more, factors like education level, work experience, certification, and company volume also play a crucial role in deciding hourly/monthly salary. Generally, experienced-holder individuals get more salary than freshers or with no experience.

The highest hourly paying cities for NDT Technician in the United States are Baton Rouge, LA ($27.08), Pasadena, TX ($25.77), Phoenix, AZ ($25.53), and Ogden, UT ($24.66).

Benefits/Perks

All employers offer various benefits packages to employees according to their level of position. But the most common benefits are as follows-

  • 401(k)
  • Dental Insurance
  • Health Insurance
  • Supplemental Insurance
  • Paid Holidays
  • Paid Time Off
  • Vision Insurance

Related: Other Welding Professions

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