Non-destructive testing technician vs non-destructive testing specialist

The differences between non-destructive testing technicians and non-destructive testing specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a non-destructive testing specialist has an average salary of $48,596, which is higher than the $47,657 average annual salary of a non-destructive testing technician.

The top three skills for a non-destructive testing technician include NDT, destructive testing and magnetic particle. The most important skills for a non-destructive testing specialist are NDT, destructive testing, and PT.

Non-destructive testing technician vs non-destructive testing specialist overview

	Non-Destructive Testing Technician	Non-Destructive Testing Specialist
Yearly salary	$47,657	$48,596
Hourly rate	$22.91	$23.36
Growth rate	6%	-3%
Number of jobs	23,281	1,060
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 34%	Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	-	-

Non-destructive testing technician vs non-destructive testing specialist salary

Non-destructive testing technicians and non-destructive testing specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Non-Destructive Testing Technician	Non-Destructive Testing Specialist
Average salary	$47,657	$48,596
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $85,000	Between $26,000 And $88,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between non-destructive testing technician and non-destructive testing specialist education

There are a few differences between a non-destructive testing technician and a non-destructive testing specialist in terms of educational background:

	Non-Destructive Testing Technician	Non-Destructive Testing Specialist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 34%	Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Most common major	Educational Assessment, Evaluation, And Research	Business
Most common college	-	-

Non-destructive testing technician vs non-destructive testing specialist demographics

Here are the differences between non-destructive testing technicians' and non-destructive testing specialists' demographics:

	Non-Destructive Testing Technician	Non-Destructive Testing Specialist
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 88.2% Female, 11.8%	Male, 69.0% Female, 31.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 7.5% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 6.9% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 8.2% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between non-destructive testing technician and non-destructive testing specialist duties and responsibilities

Non-destructive testing technician example 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.

Non-destructive testing specialist example responsibilities.

Supervise and direct the work of non-destructive testing (NDT) trainees and staff.
Develop and implement NDT methods using all aforemention disciplines.
Perform NDE inspections at nuclear, chemical, oil/petrochemical plants and various manufacturing facilities.
Perform NDE inspections at nuclear, chemical, oil/petrochemical plants and various manufacturing facilities.

Non-destructive testing technician vs non-destructive testing specialist skills

Common non-destructive testing technician skills

NDT, 17%
Destructive Testing, 14%
Magnetic Particle, 10%
Radiographic Procedures, 9%
PT, 8%
Level II, 6%

Common non-destructive testing specialist skills

NDT, 25%
Destructive Testing, 20%
PT, 10%
Magnetic Particle, 9%
Inspection Methods, 7%
Level II, 5%

Non-Destructive Testing Technician vs. similar jobs

Non-Destructive Testing Technician related careers

Non-Destructive Testing Technician related jobs

What similar roles do

Technician responsibilities

Zippia Careers
Architecture and Engineering Industry
Non-Destructive Testing Technician
Non-Destructive Testing Technician vs Non-Destructive Testing Specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse architecture and engineering jobs