Also called: NDT Inspector, X-ray Inspector
Uses X-rays, ultrasound, and dyes to find invisible cracks in rocket and aircraft parts without damaging them.
You scan a weld with an ultrasound probe, read the waveform, and decide whether a tiny flaw is acceptable. Certified NDT Level II and III inspectors are in demand in aerospace.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Certificate, about 1 year after high school. Certificate plus ASNT Level I/II certification with logged hours.
Ways in: Certification, Trade school, Military, On-the-job training. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Nondestructive Testing Technology (2-year).
Growing about average. Not a separate BLS projection; steady demand across aerospace and energy.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI reads more X-ray and ultrasound scans; setting up inspections on complex parts stays human.
Classes: Physics, Welding CTE, Algebra, Shop class.
Official data: O*NET occupation 51-9061.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.