How to hire a non-destructive testing technician

How to hire a non-destructive testing technician, step by step

Here's a step-by-step non-destructive testing technician hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a non-destructive testing technician job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new non-destructive testing technician
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

Post a non-destructive testing technician job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a non-destructive testing technician, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A non-destructive testing technician's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, non-destructive testing technicians from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of non-destructive testing technicians and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Non-Destructive Testing Technician	Description	Hourly rate
   Non-Destructive Testing Technician		$12-40
   Technician	Technicians are skilled professionals who primarily work with technology in different industries. They are knowledgeable about the technical aspects of the various items they work with... Show more	$11-27
   NDT Technician	A non-destructive testing (NDT) technician specializes in inspecting and identifying structural flaws on products and equipment through non-destructive test procedures such as particle examination, ultrasound, and visual testing. As an NDT technician, they must develop a particular test structure depending on the test subject, liaise with clients and external parties, set and operate testing equipment and devices, identify inconsistencies, understand and interpret the results, and produce progress reports and presentations in adherence with the company's policies and regulations.	$13-36

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • NDT
   • Destructive Testing
   • Magnetic Particle
   • Radiographic Procedures
   • PT
   • Level II
   • Liquid Penetrant
   • Test Results
   • Ultrasound
   • Test Equipment
   • NDI
   • NDE
   • Inspection Methods
   • ET

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Develop NDI inspection techniques for parts to insure quality requirements are met.
   • Award for providing suggestions to improve quality by adding require NDI inspection techniques.
   • Inspect aerospace weapon systems components and support equipment for structural integrity using ultrasonics and fluorescent dye penetrant.
   • Ensure adherence and compliance to company and industry policies & procedures such as Nadcap and AS9100.
   • Interpret and evaluate results on a range of different weldments, castings, forgings, and materials produce from different methods.
   • Partner with API inspecting internal/external housing of pressure vessel units.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your non-destructive testing technician job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A non-destructive testing technician can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, non-destructive testing technicians' average salary in montana is 45% less than in pennsylvania.
   • Seniority. Entry-level non-destructive testing technicians 69% less than senior-level non-destructive testing technicians.
   • Certifications. A non-destructive testing technician with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a non-destructive testing technician's salary.

   Average non-destructive testing technician salary

   $47,657yearly

   $22.91 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level non-destructive testing technician salary

   $26,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

4. Writing a non-destructive testing technician job description

   A good non-destructive testing technician job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a non-destructive testing technician job description:

   Non-destructive testing technician job description example

   * Ensures the functional and acceptable status of the non-destructive test equipment in accordance with the appropriate company process.
   
   * Determines the acceptance of parts and components for surface condition in preparation for the non-destructive test process.
   
   * Performs the specific non-destructive test process as identified in the shop order work instruction.
   * Processes the part(s) in accordance with the appropriate company process.
   * Inspects and interprets the test results.
   * Marks all unacceptable discontinuities for location and dimension.
   * Documents the completion and test results of non-destructive test process.
   * Ensures parts are cleaned following completion of NDT process and in acceptable condition for further processing.
   * Performs equipment and material maintenance checks in accordance with the appropriate company process.
   * Maintains records of all maintenance performed on the non-destructive test equipment and materials.
   * Liaisons with engineering, inspection and other personnel as required to assist in researching and solving non-destructive test process problems.
   * Maintains personal qualifications as stated in the appropriate company process.
   * Participates in continuous improvement of cell processes.
   * Cross trains in other complementary skills and seeks endorsements for those skills as needed to support production requirements.
   * Moves between production assignments that utilize multiple skills endorsements as needed to support production requirements.
   * Participates in the cross training of other technicians as needed to support production requirements.
   * Responsible for observing all applicable safety requirements and reporting immediately any unsafe practices/conditions.
   * Carries out other duties as assigned.
   Position Requirements:
   * Knowledgeable in and understanding of inherent and non-inherent discontinuities found in materials.
   * Knowledgeable in the requirements and methods of handling materials processed at Standard Aero.
   * Knowledgeable in the Workplace Health & Safety requirements.
   * Ability to attain the internal non-destructive test process approval.
   * Proficient in technical writing.
   * Ability to lift up to 50 pounds (unassisted) for approximately 25% of the average work day.
   * Regularly required to sit and stand for prolonged periods.
   * Working knowledge of production management computer system and other related internal control systems.
   * Level II certification required
   *Must be an U.S. Citizen

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find non-destructive testing technicians for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any non-destructive testing technicians they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level non-destructive testing technicians with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your non-destructive testing technician job on Zippia to find and recruit non-destructive testing technician candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit non-destructive testing technicians, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new non-destructive testing technician

   Once you've found the non-destructive testing technician candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new non-destructive testing technician first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a non-destructive testing technician?