Occupations/17-3029.01
Non-Destructive Testing Specialists
Test the safety of structures, vehicles, or vessels using x-ray, ultrasound, fiber optic or related equipment.
Usually a high school diploma, plus some experience or short training.
AI automation risk
51%
Mixed exposure
Human characteristics
61%
Balanced human and task mix
Task orientation
71%
Higher automation risk
A day in this job
- Mostly routine
Select, calibrate, or operate equipment used in the non-destructive testing of products or materials.
- 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.
- Task
Interpret or evaluate test results in accordance with applicable codes, standards, specifications, or procedures.
The tasks we can read here lean routine. That sits next to the AI risk rank — it is not a forecast that the job disappears.
Core tasks
- 01Interpret 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.
- 02Interpret or evaluate test results in accordance with applicable codes, standards, specifications, or procedures.
- 03Identify defects in solid materials, using ultrasonic testing techniques.
- 04Make radiographic images to detect flaws in objects while leaving objects intact.
- 05Prepare reports on non-destructive testing results.
- 06Select, calibrate, or operate equipment used in the non-destructive testing of products or materials.
Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)
- Repeating same tasks3.64
- Degree of automation2.64
- Time sitting2.73
- Originality (ability)2.50
- Conflict situations2.77
- Hands-on objects/tools4.05
- Outdoors / weather3.90
- Disease exposure1.36
- Decision freedom4.09
Top abilities
- Problem Sensitivity4.12
- Written Comprehension4.00
- Near Vision4.00
- Deductive Reasoning4.00
- Oral Comprehension3.75
- Information Ordering3.75
- Inductive Reasoning3.75
- Oral Expression3.62
Essential skills
- Reading Comprehension3.88
- Active Listening3.62
- Writing3.25
- Speaking3.12
- Mathematics3.12
- Science3.00
- Critical Thinking3.50
- Active Learning3.25
- Learning Strategies3.12
- Monitoring3.38
CIP matches
Schools offering related programs
12 of 54 shown
Earnings are College Scorecard medians for that program, 1 and 2 years after completion. A dash means the Department suppressed the cell or the campus is not in the field file.
| Institution | Program | Tuition | Admit | Grad 6-yr | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University of Kansas Lawrence, KS · Public | Packaging Science 15.1503 | $11,400 | 88% | 67% | 1 yr $107,535 2 yr $106,421 Master's · CIP 15.15 |
Howard University Washington, DC · Private nonprofit | Packaging Science 15.1503 | $33,200 | 53% | 65% | 1 yr $99,481 2 yr $96,405 Master's · CIP 15.15 |
Stanford University Stanford, CA · Private nonprofit | Packaging Science 15.1503 | $62,400 | 4% | 96% | 1 yr $86,867 2 yr $92,632 Bachelor's · CIP 15.15 |
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL · Public | Packaging Science 15.1503 | $17,500 | 45% | 85% | 1 yr $80,273 2 yr $71,015 Master's · CIP 15.15 |
California State University-Long Beach Long Beach, CA · Public | Applied Engineering Technologies/Technicians 15.0001 | $7,100 | 40% | 74% | 1 yr $72,860 2 yr $63,005 Bachelor's · CIP 15.00 |
Community College of Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA · Public | Laser and Optical Technology/Technician 15.0304 | $5,200 | 100% | 21% | 1 yr $69,338 2 yr $69,221 Bachelor's · CIP 15.03 |
Marquette University Milwaukee, WI · Private nonprofit | Laser and Optical Technology/Technician 15.0304 | $48,800 | 87% | 85% | 1 yr $66,915 2 yr — Bachelor's · CIP 15.03 |
Michigan State University East Lansing, MI · Public | Packaging Science 15.1503 | $16,100 | 88% | 82% | 1 yr $66,768 2 yr $67,429 Bachelor's · CIP 15.15 |
Bemidji State University Bemidji, MN · Public | Applied Engineering Technologies/Technicians 15.0001 | $9,900 | 77% | 58% | 1 yr $65,797 2 yr $63,005 Bachelor's · CIP 15.00 |
San Jose State University San Jose, CA · Public | Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology/Technician 15.0607 | $8,200 | 77% | 71% | 1 yr $64,196 2 yr $62,489 Bachelor's · CIP 15.06 |
Texas A & M University-College Station College Station, TX · Public | Applied Engineering Technologies/Technicians 15.0001 | $13,200 | 63% | 83% | 1 yr $62,409 2 yr $63,463 Bachelor's · CIP 15.00 |
Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ · Public | Laser and Optical Technology/Technician 15.0304 | $12,000 | 90% | 69% | 1 yr — 2 yr $62,260 Bachelor's · CIP 15.03 |