# Non-Destructive Testing Specialists

> Test the safety of structures, vehicles, or vessels using x-ray, ultrasound, fiber optic or related equipment.
- **Entity Type:** role
- **Schema Version:** role.v1
- **Soc Code:** 17-3029.01
- **Summary:** Test the safety of structures, vehicles, or vessels using x-ray, ultrasound, fiber optic or related equipment.

## Aliases

- NDE Technician (Non-Destructive Evaluation Technician)
- NDT Specialist (Non-Destructive Testing Specialist)
- NDT Technical Specialist (Non-Destructive Testing Technical Specialist)
- NDT Technician (Non-Destructive Testing Technician)
- Industrial Radiographer
- NDT Coordinator (Non-Destructive Testing Coordinator)
- NDT Inspector (Non-Destructing Testing Inspector)
- 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)

## Tasks

| Text | Type | Iwa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Interpret or evaluate test results in accordance with applicable codes, standards, specifications, or procedures. | Core | 4.A.2.a.4.l |
| 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. | Core | 4.A.2.a.4.l |
| Identify defects in solid materials, using ultrasonic testing techniques. | Core | 4.A.1.b.2.c |
| Make radiographic images to detect flaws in objects while leaving objects intact. | Core | 4.A.1.b.3.a |
| Prepare reports on non-destructive testing results. | Core | 4.A.3.b.6.i |
| Select, calibrate, or operate equipment used in the non-destructive testing of products or materials. | Core | 4.A.2.b.1.j |
| 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. | Core | 4.A.1.b.2.f |
| Examine structures or vehicles such as aircraft, trains, nuclear reactors, bridges, dams, and pipelines, using non-destructive testing techniques. | Core | 4.A.1.b.2.g |
| Document non-destructive testing methods, processes, or results. | Core | 4.A.3.b.6.i |
| Produce images of objects on film, using radiographic techniques. | Core | 4.A.1.b.3.a |
| Supervise or direct the work of non-destructive testing trainees or staff. | Core | 4.A.4.b.4.a |
| Evaluate material properties, using radio astronomy, voltage and amperage measurement, or rheometric flow measurement. | Supplemental | 4.A.1.b.3.a |

## Emerging Tasks

| Text |
| --- |
| Operate drones for remote inspection of large or hard-to-reach structures, such as wind turbines, bridges, or tall buildings. |

## Activities

| Name | Iwa |
| --- | --- |
| Supervise engineering or other technical personnel. | 4.A.4.b.4.a |
| Measure physical or chemical properties of materials or objects. | 4.A.1.b.3.a |
| Devise research or testing protocols. | 4.A.2.b.2.s |
| Document design or operational test results. | 4.A.3.b.6.i |
| Inspect finished products to locate flaws. | 4.A.1.b.2.f |
| Interpret design or operational test results. | 4.A.2.a.4.l |
| Test characteristics of materials or structures. | 4.A.1.b.2.c |
| Select tools, equipment, or technologies for use in operations or projects. | 4.A.2.b.1.j |
| Calibrate scientific or technical equipment. | 4.A.3.a.2.i |
| Operate industrial equipment. | 4.A.3.a.3.f |
| Test performance of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or integrated systems or equipment. | 4.A.1.b.2.l |
| Inspect equipment or systems. | 4.A.1.b.2.g |

## Capabilities

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Problem Sensitivity | ability | 4.12 |
| Engineering and Technology | knowledge | 4.09 |
| Written Comprehension | ability | 4 |
| Deductive Reasoning | ability | 4 |
| Near Vision | ability | 4 |
| Mathematics | knowledge | 3.95 |
| English Language | knowledge | 3.9 |
| Reading Comprehension | essential_skill | 3.88 |
| Quality Control Analysis | transferable_skill | 3.88 |
| Physics | knowledge | 3.82 |
| Oral Comprehension | ability | 3.75 |
| Inductive Reasoning | ability | 3.75 |
| Information Ordering | ability | 3.75 |
| Education and Training | knowledge | 3.7 |
| Computers and Electronics | knowledge | 3.67 |
| Active Listening | essential_skill | 3.62 |
| Oral Expression | ability | 3.62 |
| Far Vision | ability | 3.62 |
| Critical Thinking | essential_skill | 3.5 |
| Written Expression | ability | 3.5 |
| Customer and Personal Service | knowledge | 3.43 |
| Production and Processing | knowledge | 3.43 |
| Monitoring | essential_skill | 3.38 |
| Mechanical | knowledge | 3.32 |
| Writing | essential_skill | 3.25 |
| Active Learning | essential_skill | 3.25 |
| Operations Monitoring | transferable_skill | 3.25 |
| Flexibility of Closure | ability | 3.25 |
| Speech Recognition | ability | 3.25 |
| Speech Clarity | ability | 3.25 |
| Administration and Management | knowledge | 3.18 |
| Public Safety and Security | knowledge | 3.18 |
| Design | knowledge | 3.14 |
| Building and Construction | knowledge | 3.14 |
| Speaking | essential_skill | 3.12 |
| Mathematics | essential_skill | 3.12 |
| Learning Strategies | essential_skill | 3.12 |
| Complex Problem Solving | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Operation and Control | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | transferable_skill | 3.12 |

## Skills

| Name | Type |
| --- | --- |
| Deductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Mathematics | Common Skill |
| English Language | Common Skill |
| Reading Comprehension | Common Skill |
| Physics | Specialized Skill |
| Information Ordering | Specialized Skill |
| Inductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Active Listening | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Word | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Excel | Common Skill |
| Critical Thinking | Common Skill |
| Writing | Common Skill |
| Speech Recognition | Specialized Skill |
| Active Learning | Common Skill |
| Visualization | Specialized Skill |
| Systems Analysis | Specialized Skill |
| Learning Strategies | Specialized Skill |
| Complex Problem Solving | Common Skill |
| Time Management | Common Skill |
| Social Perceptiveness | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Project | Specialized Skill |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Outlook | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Access | Specialized Skill |
| Instructing | Specialized Skill |
| Finger Dexterity | Common Skill |
| Depth Perception | Common Skill |
| Chemistry | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Selection | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Maintenance | Specialized Skill |
| Negotiation | Common Skill |
| Telecommunications | Specialized Skill |
| IBM Notes | Specialized Skill |
| Psychology | Specialized Skill |
| Geography | Specialized Skill |
| Foreign Language | Common Skill |
| Biology | Specialized Skill |
| Project Management Software | Specialized Skill |
| Presentation Software | Specialized Skill |
| Installation | Specialized Skill |

## Tools

| Example | Category | Hot | In Demand |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software | yes | yes |
| Microsoft Office software | Office suite software | yes | yes |
| Microsoft Word | Word processing software | yes | yes |
| Autodesk AutoCAD | Computer aided design CAD software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Access | Data base user interface and query software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Outlook | Electronic mail software | yes | no |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Presentation software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Project | Project management software | yes | no |
| SAP software | Enterprise resource planning ERP software | yes | no |
| Dassault Systemes CATIA | Computer aided design CAD software | no | no |
| Fractal Concept SoftScan | Analytical or scientific software | no | no |
| GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies Rhythm UT | Analytical or scientific software | no | no |
| Geographic information system GIS systems | Geographic information system | no | no |
| IBM Notes | Electronic mail software | no | no |
| National Instruments DAQ Assistant | Analytical or scientific software | no | no |
| National Instruments LabVIEW | Development environment software | no | no |
| National Instruments NI Motion Assistant | Computer aided manufacturing CAM software | no | no |
| National Instruments NI Vision Builder for Automated Inspection AI | Analytical or scientific software | no | no |
| Visualization Sciences Group VSG Avizo Fire | Analytical or scientific software | no | no |
| Visualization Sciences Group VSG Open Inventor | Graphics or photo imaging software | no | no |

## Work Context

| Name | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams | 4.67 |
| E-Mail | 4.64 |
| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | 4.59 |
| Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | 4.55 |
| Telephone Conversations | 4.44 |
| Time Pressure | 4.32 |
| Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | 4.18 |
| Frequency of Decision Making | 4.09 |
| Freedom to Make Decisions | 4.09 |
| Health and Safety of Other Workers | 4.05 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | 4.05 |
| Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable | 4 |
| Contact With Others | 3.95 |
| Deal With External Customers or the Public in General | 3.95 |
| Indoors, Environmentally Controlled | 3.91 |
| Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled | 3.91 |
| Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions | 3.9 |
| Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team | 3.86 |
| Outdoors, Under Cover | 3.82 |
| Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities | 3.67 |
| Consequence of Error | 3.67 |
| Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | 3.64 |
| Written Letters and Memos | 3.58 |
| Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection | 3.55 |
| Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals | 3.55 |
| Physical Proximity | 3.52 |
| Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions | 3.45 |
| Level of Competition | 3.45 |
| Exposed to Radiation | 3.41 |
| Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers | 3.38 |
| Exposed to High Places | 3.33 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | 3.32 |
| Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures | 3.27 |
| Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | 3.23 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Equipment | 3.18 |
| Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions | 3.14 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Conditions | 3.14 |
| Spend Time Standing | 3.09 |
| In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment | 3.05 |
| Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment | 2.91 |

## Preparation

- **Job Zone:** 2
- **Job Zone Name:** Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- **Education:** Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- **Experience:** Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- **Svp Range:** (Below 6.0)

### Education Distribution

| Label | Percentage |
| --- | --- |
| High School Diploma | 68.18 |
| Some College Courses | 9.09 |
| Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 9.09 |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 4.55 |
| Bachelor's Degree | 4.55 |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 4.55 |

## Person Fit

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Realistic | career_interest_type | 6.41 |
| Engineering | specific_interest_area | 5.82 |
| Mechanics/Electronics | specific_interest_area | 5.09 |
| Investigative | career_interest_type | 4.97 |
| Conventional | career_interest_type | 4.56 |
| Physical Science | specific_interest_area | 4.06 |
| Dependability | work_style | 4 |
| Attention to Detail | work_style | 3 |
| Mathematics/Statistics | specific_interest_area | 2.88 |
| Cautiousness | work_style | 2.62 |
| Physical/Manual Labor | specific_interest_area | 2.61 |
| Information Technology | specific_interest_area | 2.33 |
| Integrity | work_style | 2.32 |
| Transportation/Machine Operation | specific_interest_area | 2.04 |
| Construction/Woodwork | specific_interest_area | 1.89 |
| Achievement Orientation | work_style | 1.71 |

## Related Roles

| Soc Code | Slug | Title | Tier |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 17-3021.00 | role-17-3021-00 | Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | Primary-Short |
| 17-3028.00 | role-17-3028-00 | Calibration Technologists and Technicians | Primary-Short |
| 17-3027.00 | role-17-3027-00 | Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | Primary-Short |
| 17-3027.01 | role-17-3027-01 | Automotive Engineering Technicians | Primary-Short |
| 17-3023.00 | role-17-3023-00 | Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | Primary-Short |
| 51-9061.00 | role-51-9061-00 | Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | Primary-Long |
| 17-3024.01 | role-17-3024-01 | Robotics Technicians | Primary-Long |
| 49-2094.00 | role-49-2094-00 | Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment | Primary-Long |
| 19-4031.00 | role-19-4031-00 | Chemical Technicians | Primary-Long |
| 19-4051.02 | role-19-4051-02 | Nuclear Monitoring Technicians | Primary-Long |
| 17-2141.00 | role-17-2141-00 | Mechanical Engineers | Supplemental |
| 17-2112.02 | role-17-2112-02 | Validation Engineers | Supplemental |

## Career Clusters

| Cluster | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Advanced Manufacturing | advanced-manufacturing |
| Arts, Entertainment, & Design | arts-entertainment-design |
| Construction | construction |
| Energy & Natural Resources | energy-natural-resources |
| Public Service & Safety | public-service-safety |
| Supply Chain & Transportation | supply-chain-transportation |

## Education Level

- **Category:** Associate's degree

## Study Programs

| Title | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians | engineering-engineering-related-technologies-technicians |
| Military Technologies and Applied Sciences | military-technologies-and-applied-sciences |

## Market

- **Median Wage:** 77390
- **Mean Wage:** 79740
- **Pct10Wage:** 47010
- **Pct25Wage:** 59700
- **Pct75Wage:** 97760
- **Pct90Wage:** 114630
- **Employment:** 64410
- **Area Title:** U.S.

## Industries


### Top

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Median Wage | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 54 | 54 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | Sector | 19500 | 70520 | 4.33 |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 17150 | 68010 | 3.22 |
| 541330 | 541330 | Engineering Services | National industry | 4810 | 65790 | 9.96 |
| 541380 | 541380 | Testing Laboratories and Services | National industry | 4580 | 63340 | 64.34 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 1460 | 66920 | 0.39 |
| 61 | 61 | Educational Services | Sector | 1380 | 63000 | 0.24 |
| 55 | 55 | Management of Companies and Enterprises | Sector | 1360 | 77840 | 1.16 |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry | 1040 | 65360 | 0.94 |
| 48-49 | 48-49 | Transportation and Warehousing | Sector | 1030 | 83620 | 0.33 |
| 42 | 42 | Wholesale Trade | Sector | 950 | 66870 | 0.38 |
| 21 | 21 | Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | Sector | 750 | 86450 | 3.13 |
| 22 | 22 | Utilities | Sector | 730 | 100100 | 3.02 |

### Concentrated

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 541380 | 541380 | Testing Laboratories and Services | National industry | 4580 | 64.34 |
| 541330 | 541330 | Engineering Services | National industry | 4810 | 9.96 |
| 221113 | 221113 | Nuclear Electric Power Generation | National industry | 100 | 6.45 |
| 221112 | 221112 | Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation | National industry | 130 | 4.37 |
| 54 | 54 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | Sector | 19500 | 4.33 |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 17150 | 3.22 |
| 21 | 21 | Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | Sector | 750 | 3.13 |
| 22 | 22 | Utilities | Sector | 730 | 3.02 |
- **Count:** 22

## Ai Signals

| Source | Label | Score | Scale | Release |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| frey_osborne | Computerization probability | 0.24 | 0-1 probability | 2013-baseline-2016-employment-snapshot |
| felten_aioe | AI occupational exposure | 0.1941278 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_image_generation_aioe | Image generation occupational exposure | 0.6988024 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_language_modeling_aioe | Language modeling occupational exposure | -0.0792918 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |

## Ai Outlook


### Index

- **Value:** 57
- **Percentile:** 56
- **Band:** Moderate
- **Version:** ai-exposure-index-v1

#### Components

| Percentile | Source |
| --- | --- |
| 53 | felten_aioe |
| 48 | openai_gpts_are_gpts |
| 69 | microsoft_working_with_ai |
- **Component Count:** 3

### Exposure

| Source | Label | Value | Percentile | Band | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| felten_aioe | Overall AI exposure (Felten et al.) | 0.1941278 | 53 | Moderate | How much this job's abilities overlap with what AI systems can do, across many AI capabilities. A relative research score, not a forecast of job loss. |
| eloundou_gamma | LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) | 0.5862068965517241 | 48 | Moderate | Share of this job's tasks where a large language model plus simple tools could cut the time to do them by at least half. γ is capped at 1.0 and many jobs reach that ceiling, so treat a top score as 'in the top group', not a precise rank. |
| microsoft_applicability | AI assistant applicability (Microsoft) | 0.20419052720041778 | 69 | High | How applicable today's AI assistants are to this job's activities, measured from real Microsoft Copilot conversations. Applicability is not the same as replacement. |

### Frey Historical

- **Source:** frey
- **Label:** Computerization probability (Frey & Osborne, 2013)
- **Value:** 0.24
- **Percentile:** 36
- **Band:** Moderate
- **Note:** A pre-LLM (2013) estimate of how automatable this job is by computerization and robotics. Shown for historical context only — it is not part of any current AI ranking.
- **Teleworkable:** no

### Eloundou

- **Alpha:** 0
- **Beta:** 0.29310344827586204
- **Gamma:** 0.5862068965517241

### Usage Tasks

| Task | Usage Percent | Importance |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Evaluate material properties, using radio astronomy, voltage and amperage measurement, or rheometric flow measurement. | 0.008730161990723432 | 4.42 |
- **Usage Release:** 2026-01-15-v4-plus-2025-03-27-v2

### Bls

- **Growth Percent:** 1.5
- **Growth Percentile:** 36
- **Direction:** About average
- **Annual Openings Thousands:** 5.7
- **Annual Openings Percentile:** 52
- **Employment2024Thousands:** 67.3
- **Employment2034Thousands:** 68.3

### Sources

| Source | Version |
| --- | --- |
| bls_employment_projections | 2024-2034 |
| dingel_neiman | dingel-neiman-workathome |
| felten_aioe | felten-raj-seamans-aioe |
| frey_osborne | frey-osborne-automation |
| microsoft_working_with_ai | working-with-ai |
| openai_gpts_are_gpts | gpts-are-gpts |

## Ai Playbook

- **Trusted Task Count:** 2
- **Task Count:** 3
- **Total Sample:** 106
- **Autonomy Median:** 3.5
- **Dominant Collaboration:** directive
- **Automation Share:** 38.96
- **Augmentation Share:** 20.78
- **Work Use Percent:** 58.44

### Collaboration

| Label | Percent |
| --- | --- |
| directive | 38.96 |
| task iteration | 20.78 |

### Use Case

| Label | Percent |
| --- | --- |
| work | 58.44 |
| coursework | 22.08 |

### Delegated Tasks

| Task | Usage Percent | Collaboration | Autonomy Median | Sample Count |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Document non-destructive testing (NDT) methods, processes, or results. | 0.0039004875609451183 | directive | 3 | 39 |
| Prepare reports on non-destructive testing (NDT) results. | 0.003800475059382423 | task iteration | 4 | 38 |

### Boundary Tasks

| Task | Human Needed Percent | Sample Count |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Prepare reports on non-destructive testing (NDT) results. | 89.47368421052632 | 38 |
| Document non-destructive testing (NDT) methods, processes, or results. | 87.17948717948718 | 39 |

### Seed Prompts

| Prompt | Collaboration |
| --- | --- |
| Do this for me: document non-destructive testing (NDT) methods, processes, or results. Give me a finished draft I can review and adjust. | directive |
| Let's work through this together, step by step: prepare reports on non-destructive testing (NDT) results. I'll give feedback as we go. | task iteration |
- **Release:** 2026-01-15-v4-plus-2025-03-27-v2

## Counts

- **Tasks:** 16
- **Skills:** 40
- **Capabilities:** 120
- **Tools:** 20
- **Related Roles:** 20

## Source

- **Dataset:** gold.onet_role_starter_surface
- **Version:** 30.3
- **Generated At:** 2026-06-02T21:00:32.945303+00:00
- **Content Hash:** a18113183207b8a3