Non-Destructive Testing Specialists

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

Most important skills

Reading Comprehension
Quality Control Analysis
Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Monitoring
Writing
Active Learning
Operations Monitoring

Key knowledge

Engineering and Technology
Mathematics
English Language
Physics
Education and Training
Computers and Electronics
Customer and Personal Service
Production and Processing

What the work involves

Supervise or direct the work of non-destructive testing trainees or staff.
Produce images of objects on film, using radiographic techniques.
Develop or use new non-destructive testing methods, such as acoustic emission testing, leak testing, and thermal or infrared testing.
Document non-destructive testing methods, processes, or results.
Map the presence of imperfections within objects, using sonic measurements.
Make radiographic images to detect flaws in objects while leaving objects intact.
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.
Interpret or evaluate test results in accordance with applicable codes, standards, specifications, or procedures.

Strongest interest areas (O*NET): Realistic, Investigative, Conventional.

Qualifications and licensing

Most common education: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (68.2% of respondents)
Related experience: None (36.4%)
On-the-job training: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years (40.9%)
Preparation level: O*NET job zone 2: Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Licensing: Not yet verified. Check your state licensing board.

Check before planning

Licensing for Non-Destructive Testing Specialists is not yet verified for any state: check the state licensing board before planning.
Projection education uses SOC 17-3029 (detailed_parent); it may describe a broader group.

Limits

Distributions show what current workers or occupational experts report, not legal minimums.
Requirements vary by employer and state; time to qualify is not estimated.

Source: O*NET 31.0 Database (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0); BLS Employment Projections · dataset 2026.10.8 · method e3-qualification-1.0.0

Work environment

How the typical conditions of this occupation compare with 911 occupations in O*NET (very low = the lowest fifth).

Levels are relative. Most occupations involve a lot of contact with people, for example, so “very low” can still mean regular contact; the last column shows what workers actually reported.

Rankings compare typical U.S. occupation-level work conditions; individual jobs and employers vary. Data: O*NET 31.0 Work Context and BLS wages (May 2025).
Condition	Level	Compared with other occupations	Most common answer (O*NET survey)
Contact with others	Low	Lower on contact with others than 78% of occupations compared	50% of surveyed respondents chose “Contact with others most of the time”
Dealing with the public	High	Higher on dealing with the public than 71% of occupations compared	55% of surveyed respondents chose “Very important”
Teamwork	Low	Lower on teamwork than 78% of occupations compared	43% of surveyed respondents chose “Very important”
Freedom to make decisions	Moderate	Lower on freedom to make decisions than 54% of occupations compared	41% of surveyed respondents chose “A lot of freedom”
Time pressure	Very high	Higher on time pressure than 83% of occupations compared	59% of surveyed respondents chose “Once a week or more but not every day”
Conflict situations	Moderate	Lower on conflict situations than 54% of occupations compared	59% of surveyed respondents chose “Once a month or more but not every week”
Dealing with unpleasant or angry people	Moderate	Lower on dealing with unpleasant or angry people than 59% of occupations compared	52% of surveyed respondents chose “Once a year or more but not every month”
Consequence of error	High	Higher on consequence of error than 78% of occupations compared	38% of surveyed respondents chose “Extremely serious”

Work-pressure profile

Time pressure: very high
Conflict situations: moderate
Dealing with unpleasant or angry people: moderate
Consequence of error: high

Each part is shown on its own. There is no combined stress score, and conditions vary by employer and role.

Full answer distributions