Salary guide, May 2025
NDT Technician pay, United States
Manufacturing Headhunters uses the published BLS OEWS figures below. They describe the mapped occupation and area, not an individual offer.
This is what we do all day: recruit manufacturing professionals.
The median annual wage for Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other in the United States was $78,350 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $60,390 and $99,310.
Also searched as: NDT Technician (Level II), NDT Inspector, UT / RT / MT / PT Technician, NDT Level II. These titles share this page because BLS reports them under one occupation.
Closest proxy · SOC 17-3029 Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other
The NDT Technician title maps to the published occupation. BLS does not separate this process, credential, shift or plant-specific title from other work in the occupation.
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $47,030 | $60,390 | $78,350 | $99,310 | $118,330 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $22.61 | $29.03 | $37.67 | $47.75 | $56.89 |
BLS estimated 59,930 workers employed in this occupation in the United States.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 17-3029 Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other, U.S.. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
How does pay compare in the target metros?
| Metro | Median | 25th to 75th | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $63,830 | $51,110 to $80,090 | 410 | 0.38 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $61,610 | $51,210 to $76,720 | 300 | 0.53 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $65,780 | $56,600 to $92,290 | 460 | 0.85 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $76,090 | $55,700 to $85,230 | 170 | 0.58 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $78,890 | $63,160 to $103,780 | 1,120 | 0.31 |
| Northern New Jersey within New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $78,890 | $63,160 to $103,780 | 1,120 | 0.31 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $71,930 | $53,880 to $93,620 | 1,290 | 0.83 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $81,660 | $70,390 to $98,110 | 410 | 0.24 |
Rank every metro for NDT Technician
What should you know about pay by manufacturing industry, United States?
Same BLS occupation, national estimates for each manufacturing industry (NAICS) BLS publishes, May 2025. Industry names are BLS labels.
- Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing$110,930
- Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing$110,930
- Dairy Product Manufacturing$100,940
- Wood Product Manufacturing$85,970
- Other Wood Product Manufacturing$85,970
- Communications Equipment Manufacturing$82,900
- Chemical Manufacturing (3251, 3252, 3253, and 3259 only)$81,950
- Chemical Manufacturing$81,290
- Converted Paper Product Manufacturing$80,130
- Motor Vehicle Manufacturing$79,800
- Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing$79,330
- Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing$77,710
- Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities$75,580
- Paper Manufacturing$74,900
- Transportation Equipment Manufacturing$74,170
Bars show up to 15 industries with exact annual medians. The table lists every published industry.
| NAICS | Industry | Employment | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31-33 | Manufacturing | 16,490 | $58,890 | $67,900 | $81,770 |
| 336000 | Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | 4,870 | $60,720 | $74,170 | $87,570 |
| 334000 | Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing | 3,270 | $54,100 | $63,640 | $80,460 |
| 336400 | Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | 2,870 | $60,570 | $72,330 | $88,890 |
| 333000 | Machinery Manufacturing | 2,570 | $59,770 | $64,160 | $77,710 |
| 334500 | Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing | 2,010 | $55,820 | $65,400 | $80,250 |
| 3330A1 | Machinery Manufacturing (3331, 3332, 3334, and 3339 only) | 1,660 | $61,170 | $62,390 | $74,870 |
| 325000 | Chemical Manufacturing | 1,140 | $66,460 | $81,290 | $95,560 |
| 335000 | Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing | 1,130 | $47,730 | $61,450 | $78,870 |
| 334400 | Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing | 940 | $49,700 | $61,050 | $80,250 |
| 332000 | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 880 | $52,670 | $63,840 | $77,780 |
| 3250A1 | Chemical Manufacturing (3251, 3252, 3253, and 3259 only) | 860 | $66,540 | $81,950 | $95,950 |
| 339000 | Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 830 | $57,070 | $65,100 | $79,680 |
| 331000 | Primary Metal Manufacturing | 710 | $53,160 | $63,060 | $76,480 |
| 339100 | Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing | 690 | $57,520 | $65,020 | $79,670 |
| 335900 | Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing | 660 | $49,940 | $72,750 | $79,730 |
| 333300 | Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing | 520 | $49,120 | $63,130 | $78,930 |
| 3320A1 | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3321, 3322, 3325, 3326, and 3329 only) | 490 | $51,310 | $62,960 | $75,290 |
| 336100 | Motor Vehicle Manufacturing | 480 | $61,880 | $79,800 | $95,920 |
| 335300 | Electrical Equipment Manufacturing | 450 | $47,150 | $51,990 | $63,010 |
| 336300 | Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing | 370 | $50,330 | $56,580 | $74,030 |
| 333600 | Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing | 360 | $49,950 | $77,710 | $77,710 |
| 326000 | Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing | 330 | $59,290 | $65,280 | $76,320 |
| 331500 | Foundries | 280 | $51,400 | $61,550 | $81,000 |
| 325400 | Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing | 260 | $66,720 | $79,330 | $88,040 |
| 326100 | Plastics Product Manufacturing | 250 | $59,540 | $67,060 | $76,320 |
| 322000 | Paper Manufacturing | 220 | $57,560 | $74,900 | $91,450 |
| 331100 | Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing | 200 | $58,240 | $59,900 | $75,770 |
| 334100 | Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing | 190 | $51,760 | $68,540 | $81,930 |
| 322200 | Converted Paper Product Manufacturing | 180 | $58,010 | $80,130 | $92,310 |
| 327000 | Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | 180 | $50,780 | $67,450 | $82,640 |
| 327000 | Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | 180 | $50,780 | $67,450 | $82,640 |
| 311000 | Food Manufacturing | 160 | $58,420 | $64,470 | $81,630 |
| 3320A2 | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3323 and 3324 only) | 160 | $61,340 | $73,040 | $82,470 |
| 339900 | Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 140 | $53,170 | $67,940 | $79,990 |
| 332700 | Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | 130 | $59,020 | $64,100 | $77,940 |
| 334200 | Communications Equipment Manufacturing | 100 | $66,960 | $82,900 | $82,900 |
| 311900 | Other Food Manufacturing | 90 | $60,480 | $63,750 | $70,960 |
| 331200 | Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel | 90 | $66,520 | $67,590 | $75,150 |
| 331400 | Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Production and Processing | 90 | $60,000 | $60,480 | $72,120 |
| 332800 | Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities | 90 | $50,790 | $75,580 | $87,240 |
| 326200 | Rubber Product Manufacturing | 80 | $57,660 | $61,640 | $74,530 |
| 332710 | Machine Shops | 80 | $58,220 | $62,300 | $79,580 |
| 324000 | Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | 60 | $87,810 | $110,930 | $145,850 |
| 324100 | Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | 60 | $87,810 | $110,930 | $145,850 |
| 331300 | Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing | 60 | $53,160 | $69,370 | $83,550 |
| 332720 | Turned Product and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | 60 | $61,170 | $65,200 | $75,410 |
| 321000 | Wood Product Manufacturing | 50 | $72,930 | $85,970 | $94,430 |
| 336500 | Railroad Rolling Stock Manufacturing | 50 | $34,260 | $59,150 | $79,920 |
| 311500 | Dairy Product Manufacturing | 40 | $81,660 | $100,940 | $101,500 |
| 321900 | Other Wood Product Manufacturing | 40 | $72,930 | $85,970 | $94,430 |
| 322100 | Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills | 40 | $54,530 | $62,020 | $84,350 |
| 337000 | Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing | 40 | $44,020 | $65,190 | $72,770 |
| 3370A1 | Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing (3371 and 3372 only) | 40 | $44,020 | $65,190 | $72,770 |
What should you know about manufacturing pay mix?
For NDT Technician, write the straight-time rate separately from shift coverage and extra hours. OEWS includes base rate, guaranteed pay and production incentive pay. It excludes overtime premium, shift differentials and nonproduction bonuses. An attendance bonus is not a production bonus; confirm its purpose and treatment rather than adding every bonus to the BLS figure.
Skills-based pay steps affect the base rate when they are part of straight-time pay; BLS does not publish a separate rate for each plant's skill grade. Ask whether a tool allowance is expense reimbursement or wage pay. OEWS does not publish a separate tool-allowance component. Keep these items separate in the offer so the published wage is not mistaken for the whole package.
Pay mix here means how published medians for this one BLS occupation differ across manufacturing industries and against the all-industry median. It does not split pay into base, incentive or overtime. BLS wages are straight-time gross pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials and nonproduction bonuses.
What should you know about two BLS releases?
| Release period | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | $59,700 | $77,390 | $97,760 |
| May 2025 | $60,390 | $78,350 | $99,310 |
These are two separate BLS estimates from different survey panels. The workers and employers behind them differ, so the gap is not like-for-like pay for the same workers and is not a growth rate. We show no percentage change.
Recruiter's read. Qualitative, not BLS data.
What should you know about safe work and radiation?
Radiographic work involves ionizing radiation and requires proper licensing and dosimetry. Other methods involve chemicals, high voltage and field conditions. We ask about safety training, exposure records where relevant, and field behavior. A person who cuts corners in testing will eventually miss a defect.
What should you know about questions?
Wages for the OEWS survey are straight-time, gross pay, exclusive of premium pay. Base rate; cost-of-living allowances; guaranteed pay; hazardous-duty pay; incentive pay, including commissions and production bonuses; and tips are included. Excluded are overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, employer cost for supplementary benefits, and tuition reimbursements.
What is the median pay for a NDT Technician?
The median annual wage for Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other in the United States was $78,350 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $60,390 and $99,310. This is the closest proxy BLS publishes, not a figure for this exact title.
What does the 10th percentile mean here?
10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than $47,030. 90% earned less than $118,330.
Does this include overtime or bonuses?
Wages for the OEWS survey are straight-time, gross pay, exclusive of premium pay. Base rate; cost-of-living allowances; guaranteed pay; hazardous-duty pay; incentive pay, including commissions and production bonuses; and tips are included. Excluded are overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, employer cost for supplementary benefits, and tuition reimbursements.
Is this the pay for a NDT Technician at a plant?
The NDT Technician title maps to the published occupation. BLS does not separate this process, credential, shift or plant-specific title from other work in the occupation. These are occupation estimates across all industries, not an offer for a particular manufacturing title.
How many people work in this occupation?
BLS estimated 59,930 workers employed in this occupation in the United States.
What should you know about related?
What does this data mean for your opening?
Industry-specific national medians for this occupation demonstrate the premium associated with complex manufacturing. Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing reports a median of $110,930, and Dairy Product Manufacturing shows $100,940. These figures illustrate the significant compensation required to attract technicians capable of performing high-stakes non-destructive testing in critical environments.
NDT Technicians are categorized under the broad SOC 17-3029 title. The national median for this occupation in May 2025 was $78,350, showing an increase of $960 over the May 2024 median of $77,390. The middle-band width is $38,920. This indicates a high level of variability in compensation, which Manufacturing Headhunters attributes to the diverse requirements for NDT methods like UT, PAUT, RT, and MT, combined with industry-specific certifications like SNT-TC-1A or NAS 410. BLS does not differentiate these skill sets, resulting in a broad data distribution.
Industry-specific national medians for this occupation demonstrate the premium associated with complex manufacturing. Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing reports a median of $110,930, and Dairy Product Manufacturing shows $100,940. These figures illustrate the significant compensation required to attract technicians capable of performing high-stakes non-destructive testing in critical environments. These rows confirm that technicians working in sectors with high asset value or safety risks often command higher pay, although BLS does not report individual shift bonuses or certification incentives as part of this annual wage.
Regional employment statistics help clarify market dynamics. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA shows a median of $69,890 and a location quotient of 0.73. The higher location quotient in Houston reflects the concentration of industries utilizing specialized technical personnel. While these figures represent the market for the occupation, they do not provide an estimate for any individual technician's pay. Compensation is highly dependent on specific methods mastered and the regulatory requirements of the employer's industry, which remain separate from the provided statistics.
Which pay questions should you settle before hiring?
Why is the middle-band width so significant at $38,920?
The occupation encompasses a wide range of engineering and technical roles. This broad range captures the difference between entry-level technicians and highly certified experts in multiple testing methods.
Does the occupation median account for NDT level certifications?
No, the BLS does not distinguish between NDT levels like Level I or II. Compensation for these roles is heavily based on specific method proficiency which exceeds the scope of the occupation report.
How should technicians use the Houston-area statistics?
The Houston data highlights the regional demand for technicians in the petroleum industry. It serves as a benchmark for local market concentration rather than a specific wage guarantee for an individual.
Related recruiting or pay page · Related wage comparison 1 · Data methodology · Related wage comparison 3 · Related wage comparison 4