Jobs / Architecture and engineering / 17-3029.01
Non-Destructive Testing Specialists
Test the safety of structures, vehicles, or vessels using x-ray, ultrasound, fiber optic or related equipment.
- US jobs
- 59,930 (SOC 17-3029 group, "Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other")
- Median wage
- $78,350 a year
- Job family
- Architecture and engineering
Can agents do the work of non-destructive testing specialists?
We read the evidence at the level of the job family, Architecture and engineering:
- Task levelUnexploredNo task-level benchmark in our collection tests architecture or engineering design work, such as CAD modeling or engineering calculations.
- Project levelNot yetWhole projects are mostly out of reach. The Remote Labor Index includes 3D, CAD, and architecture projects; across all its projects, the best agent completed 15.8% to a standard a client would accept. GDPval includes mechanical engineers, and its deliverables score higher, but those tasks are one-shot and fully specified.
Benchmarks for the job family
These cover work in architecture and engineering, not always this occupation's tasks.
- 1846 EloClaude Opus 5.5 (Adaptive Reasoning, Max Effort, Default Fallback) · 23 Sep 2026Unrated
Typical tasks
From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.
- 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.
Other job titles for this occupation (24)
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) · NDT Technician (Non-Destructive Testing Technician) · Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) · Corrosion Control Technician (Corrosion Control Tech) · Corrosion Technician (Corrosion Tech) · NDE Specialist (Non-Destructive Evaluation Specialist) · NDI Technician (Non-Destructive Inspection Technician) · NDT Engineer (Non-Destructive Testing Engineer) · NDT Inspector (Non-Destructive Testing Inspector) · NDT Scientist (Non-Destructive Testing Scientist) · NDT Technical Advisor (Non-Destructive Testing Technical Advisor) · Non-Destructive Technician (Non-Destructive Tech) · Non-Destructive Tester · Penetrant Inspector · Predictive Maintenance Specialist · Predictive Maintenance Technician (Predictive Maintenance Tech) · Rope Access Technician (Rope Access Tech) · Test Technician (Test Tech) · Vibration Technician (Vibration Tech)