NDT Jobs & Salaries in Augusta, GA
The NDT job market in Augusta is shaped directly by its industrial base — Nuclear (Plant Vogtle), DoE nuclear (SRS regional), Pulp & paper. Major employers and asset owners in the area include Plant Vogtle (Southern Nuclear, AP1000 Units 3 & 4), Savannah River Site (regional), International Paper Augusta, all of which run continuous inspection programs and rotate inspection contractors against multi-year MSAs. Code authorities most often cited in local procurement specifications are ASME Section III / XI, NRC 10 CFR 50, NQA-1, so any inspector hunting work in Augusta should expect those references in interviews and pre-qualification packages. Wages track close to the national median for inspectors, with overtime making up the variable component. A recurring local theme: "Vogtle 3 and 4 are the first new US AP1000s in operation — every ISI weld follows ASME Section XI and a Level III qual gap is treated as a regulatory event, not a paperwork issue." Beyond the top-of-mind names, the deeper bench in Augusta includes Centerra-SRS, International Paper — these are the employers that pre-qualification managers screen most often when filling rotational openings. BLS-anchored Level II wages in Augusta run around $78,000/yr; Level III with API endorsements layers on to roughly $122,000/yr — the gap between the two is the single biggest reason local inspectors pursue Level III. Jurisdictional layer matters here: DOE 10 CFR 830 and ASME Section III/XI (nuclear) apply on top of the federal/national codes, and missing the local-authority reference on a procedure submission is a common rejection reason for first-time-into-Augusta contractors. One angle that differentiates Augusta from peer markets: Plant Vogtle 3+4 — first new US reactors in 30+ years; ongoing inspection scope. Turnaround calendar: Spring/Fall TARs — the inspection workforce flexes hard against this rhythm and overtime stacks during those windows.
Local industries
Top local employers / asset owners
- • Plant Vogtle (Southern Nuclear, AP1000 Units 3 & 4) (Nuclear power)
- • Savannah River Site (regional) (DoE nuclear)
- • International Paper Augusta (Pulp & paper)
Methods most-used locally
ASME Section XI ISI: UT, RT, MT, PT, ET; eddy current on tubes (ECT/RFT).
| Role | Pay (USD) |
|---|---|
NDT Trainee / Helper 0-1 yrs • No certification yet; pursuing ASNT Level I | $38K–$50K |
ASNT Level I Technician 1-2 yrs • ASNT NDT Level I in one or more methods | $48K–$65K |
ASNT Level II UT/RT/MT/PT Inspector 3-6 yrs • ASNT NDT Level II in primary method(s) | $60K–$92K |
PAUT/TOFD Technician 4-8 yrs • ASNT Level II UT plus PAUT and/or TOFD endorsement | $78K–$115K |
API 510 / 570 / 653 Inspector 5+ yrs • API 510, 570, or 653 individual certifications | $88K–$135K |
ASNT Level III / NDE Engineer 8-15 yrs • ASNT NDT Level III in multiple methods | $110K–$175K |
Certifications worth holding for the Augusta market
- ASNT NDT Level II in your primary method (UT or RT is the most marketable starting point)
- ASME Section XI / ANSI N45.2.6 — required for in-service inspection at nuclear plants
- ASNT Level III in your primary method (the credential that unlocks procedure approval and inspector certification)
Application checklist
- Photo of your current ASNT (or ISO 9712 / NAS 410) certification card and the underlying written practice that issued it.
- Proof of relevant API certifications (510 / 570 / 653) if you are applying to Augusta refining, petrochemical, or pipeline work.
- Documented vision examination (current within 12 months) and physical / colour-perception test as required by your written practice.
- A method-by-method experience log totalling the hours required by your level (e.g. 1,600 h for Level II UT under SNT-TC-1A).
- OSHA 10 (or 30) construction safety card; many petrochemical sites also require TWIC, BROWZ, ISN, or Avetta enrollment.
- Procedure-writing samples if applying for Level III or NDE engineer roles — at minimum a UT or RT procedure you authored.
- A signed reference from a Level III or supervising inspector who can vouch for your hands-on experience hours.
Frequently asked
What's the entry-level NDT salary in Augusta?
Entry-level NDT trainees in Augusta start around $39K-$56K (BLS-anchored regional band). Once ASNT Level I certifications come in (typically 6-12 months), base pay steps to ~$56K-$78K, with turnaround overtime layering on top.
Which NDT certifications are most in-demand in Augusta?
ASNT NDT Level II in your primary method (UT or RT is the most marketable starting point); ASME Section XI / ANSI N45.2.6 — required for in-service inspection at nuclear plants; ASNT Level III in your primary method (the credential that unlocks procedure approval and inspector certification) — these are the certifications that show up most often in local procurement and pre-qualification packages. Note also DOE 10 CFR 830 and ASME Section III/XI (nuclear) — local code references that procurement managers expect inspectors to be familiar with.
Are remote / travel NDT roles available out of Augusta?
Yes. Most Augusta-based inspection contractors run a mix of local turnaround work and travel-rotation positions to other regions; a willingness to mobilise is one of the fastest ways to break into the industry from a Level I background.
Who are the largest NDT employers in Augusta?
The biggest single employer of NDT inspectors in Augusta is Savannah River Site (SRS); the broader top-five typically also includes Plant Vogtle (Southern Nuclear), Bechtel SRS, Centerra-SRS, International Paper. Pre-qualification with the top three names unlocks the bulk of the local volume.
What makes the Augusta NDT market different from neighbouring cities?
Plant Vogtle 3+4 — first new US reactors in 30+ years; ongoing inspection scope Combined with: srs h-canyon — only operating production-scale nuclear reprocessing in us. These local specialties shape the kinds of credentials that get hired here vs. neighbouring metros.
When does NDT hiring spike in Augusta?
Hiring follows the local turnaround calendar: Spring/Fall TARs. Recruitment for these surge periods typically opens 60-90 days ahead, so positioning your resume by January for a spring TAR or July for an autumn TAR is the most effective approach.
NDT Training in Augusta
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