NDT Jobs & Salaries in Bath, ME
The NDT job market in Bath is shaped directly by its industrial base — USN shipbuilding (destroyer construction), Heavy fabrication, Defense supply chain. Major employers and asset owners in the area include Bath Iron Works (General Dynamics), Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (regional, Kittery), 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 NAVSEA T9074, ABS, AWS D1.1, so any inspector hunting work in Bath 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: "BIW destroyer construction packs NDT scopes into a tight Maine winter schedule — an out-of-cal UT unit during a pre-launch hull survey reshuffles the entire ship's delivery curve." BLS-anchored Level II wages in Bath run around $78,000/yr; Level III with API endorsements layers on to roughly $118,000/yr — the gap between the two is the single biggest reason local inspectors pursue Level III. Jurisdictional layer matters here: NAVSEA Tech Pubs and Mil-Spec NDT (T9074-AS-GIB-010/271) 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-Bath contractors. One angle that differentiates Bath from peer markets: BIW is one of two US yards building destroyers — Mil-Spec NDT dominant. 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
- • Bath Iron Works (General Dynamics) (USN destroyer builder (DDG-51 / DDG-1000))
- • Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (regional, Kittery) (Submarine overhaul yard)
Methods most-used locally
UT thickness; MT; PT; class-society RT; UT; RT on structural welds; AWS D1.1 visual; RT.
| 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 Bath market
- ASNT NDT Level II in your primary method (UT or RT is the most marketable starting point)
- AWS CWI plus ABS / DNV / LR class-society approvals
- 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 Bath 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 Bath?
Entry-level NDT trainees in Bath 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 Bath?
ASNT NDT Level II in your primary method (UT or RT is the most marketable starting point); AWS CWI plus ABS / DNV / LR class-society approvals; 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 NAVSEA Tech Pubs and Mil-Spec NDT (T9074-AS-GIB-010/271) — local code references that procurement managers expect inspectors to be familiar with.
Are remote / travel NDT roles available out of Bath?
Yes. Most Bath-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 Bath?
The biggest single employer of NDT inspectors in Bath is Bath Iron Works (General Dynamics); the broader top-five typically also includes a rotation of regional inspection-services contractors. Pre-qualification with the top three names unlocks the bulk of the local volume.
What makes the Bath NDT market different from neighbouring cities?
BIW is one of two US yards building destroyers — Mil-Spec NDT dominant Combined with: welder/inspector ratios per navy spec. These local specialties shape the kinds of credentials that get hired here vs. neighbouring metros.
When does NDT hiring spike in Bath?
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 Bath
Local courses, fees, and accreditation pathways feeding the same employer base.
NDT Services in Bath
The companies hiring inspectors — see the local service catalogue.
Explore Careers in Other Cities
Verified Bath, ME Inspection-Market Data
Hard numbers from BLS, EIA, AAPA, Census & API directories — anchoring this page to Bath, ME's actual NDT market, not a generic template.
- Local Wage Anchor — Level II NDT Technician
- $78K/yr typical for Bath, ME
- Metro Industrial Base
- 9K people in Bath, ME
- Sector Mix (NDT Demand Drivers)
- Navy Shipbuilding (85%)
- Active API-Certified Inspectors (regional)
- ~20 API 510 · ~25 API 570 · ~15 API 653
- ASNT Chapter / Community
- ASNT New England Section
- Cost-of-Living Impact on Rate Cards
- COL index 88.0 (12.0 pts below national avg) · transport surcharge band: medium
Source: BLS OES ME state 2024
Source: US Census ACS 2023
Source: BEA Regional Accounts 2023
Source: API ICP roster + state directories (est.)
Source: ASNT chapter directory
Source: C2ER ACCRA COL Index 2024
Continue Reading — In-Depth Guides
Authored by ASNT Level III inspectors. Real procedures, real numbers, real codes.
- Ultrasonic Testing — Complete GuidePhysics, calibration, codes, equipment, applications.
- Radiographic Testing — Complete GuideSources, exposure, IQIs, ASME V, digital RT.
- Magnetic Particle Testing — Complete GuideAC/DC field, wet/dry methods, ASTM E709, yoke.
- Penetrant Testing — Complete GuideVisible vs fluorescent, ASTM E165, dwell times.
- Phased Array UT (PAUT) — Complete GuideBeam steering, focal laws, scan plans, ISO 13588.
Start Your NDT Career in Bath
Get certified, gain documented experience, and connect with the local employers above.