NDT Jobs & Salaries in Billings, MT
The NDT job market in Billings is shaped directly by its industrial base — Refining, Pipelines and midstream, Power generation. Major employers and asset owners in the area include ExxonMobil Billings Refinery, Phillips 66 Billings Refinery, 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 API 510 / 570, PHMSA, so any inspector hunting work in Billings 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: "Northern-tier refinery turnarounds compete for limited NDT contractor capacity — losing a Level II to an expired cert removes a crew from rotation for weeks." Beyond the top-of-mind names, the deeper bench in Billings includes PPL Montana, Sibanye-Stillwater (regional), Western Sugar Cooperative — these are the employers that pre-qualification managers screen most often when filling rotational openings. BLS-anchored Level II wages in Billings run around $81,000/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: MT DEQ and MT Boiler Code 50-74-101 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-Billings contractors. One angle that differentiates Billings from peer markets: Three refineries in 30-mile corridor — only such cluster in northern Rockies.
Local industries
Top local employers / asset owners
- • ExxonMobil Billings Refinery (Refinery)
- • Phillips 66 Billings Refinery (Refinery)
Methods most-used locally
UT thickness; PAUT for high-temperature piping; RT on weld repairs; MT/PT on critical welds; UT thickness on long-seam pipe; GWT; MFL inline inspection; MFL.
| 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 Billings market
- ASNT NDT Level II in your primary method (UT or RT is the most marketable starting point)
- API 510 (pressure vessel) — turnaround season is gated by the count of API 510 inspectors a contractor can field
- API 570 (in-service piping) — table-stakes for any piping-circuit inspection work
- API 653 (above-ground storage tank) — required for tank shell, floor, and roof inspection scopes
- 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 Billings 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 Billings?
Entry-level NDT trainees in Billings start around $42K-$60K (BLS-anchored regional band). Once ASNT Level I certifications come in (typically 6-12 months), base pay steps to ~$60K-$81K, with turnaround overtime layering on top.
Which NDT certifications are most in-demand in Billings?
ASNT NDT Level II in your primary method (UT or RT is the most marketable starting point); API 510 (pressure vessel) — turnaround season is gated by the count of API 510 inspectors a contractor can field; API 570 (in-service piping) — table-stakes for any piping-circuit inspection work — these are the certifications that show up most often in local procurement and pre-qualification packages. Note also MT DEQ and MT Boiler Code 50-74-101 — local code references that procurement managers expect inspectors to be familiar with.
Are remote / travel NDT roles available out of Billings?
Yes. Most Billings-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 Billings?
The biggest single employer of NDT inspectors in Billings is ExxonMobil Billings Refinery; the broader top-five typically also includes Phillips 66 Billings Refinery, CHS Inc. (HQ), PPL Montana, Sibanye-Stillwater (regional). Pre-qualification with the top three names unlocks the bulk of the local volume.
What makes the Billings NDT market different from neighbouring cities?
Three refineries in 30-mile corridor — only such cluster in northern Rockies Combined with: processes bakken light + canadian heavy crude blends. These local specialties shape the kinds of credentials that get hired here vs. neighbouring metros.
NDT Training in Billings
Local courses, fees, and accreditation pathways feeding the same employer base.
NDT Services in Billings
The companies hiring inspectors — see the local service catalogue.
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Start Your NDT Career in Billings
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