NDT Jobs & Salaries in Boston, MA
The NDT job market in Boston is shaped directly by its industrial base — Aerospace, Biotech infrastructure, Naval. Major employers and asset owners in the area include General Electric Aviation Lynn, BAE Systems Hingham (regional), 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 FAA Part 145, NAS 410, ABS, so any inspector hunting work in Boston 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: "GE Aviation Lynn audits subcontractor NDT records every jet-engine campaign — a single missed Level III recert removes a vendor from rotation." Beyond the top-of-mind names, the deeper bench in Boston includes Hanscom AFB, Moderna, Vertex — these are the employers that pre-qualification managers screen most often when filling rotational openings. BLS-anchored Level II wages in Boston run around $95,000/yr; Level III with API endorsements layers on to roughly $140,000/yr — the gap between the two is the single biggest reason local inspectors pursue Level III. Jurisdictional layer matters here: MA DEP and MA Boiler Code 522 CMR 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-Boston contractors. One angle that differentiates Boston from peer markets: World's #1 biotech cluster (Kendall Square) — bioreactor + clean-utility piping NDT to ASME BPE / FDA cGMP unique density. Travel and per-diem load on contractor day-rates is high in Boston (FIFO/remote-work pattern); this shows up in posted rates and is non-negotiable on most contractor tenders. Turnaround calendar: Pharma cGMP campaigns; Aerospace continuous — the inspection workforce flexes hard against this rhythm and overtime stacks during those windows.
Local industries
Top local employers / asset owners
- • General Electric Aviation Lynn (Aerospace)
- • BAE Systems Hingham (regional) (Defense)
Methods most-used locally
FPI to NAS 410; eddy-current array; phased-array UT on composites; X-ray and CT.
| 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 Boston market
- ASNT NDT Level II in your primary method (UT or RT is the most marketable starting point)
- NAS 410 — mandatory for aerospace prime-contractor inspection work
- 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 Boston 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 Boston?
Entry-level NDT trainees in Boston start around $49K-$70K (BLS-anchored regional band). Once ASNT Level I certifications come in (typically 6-12 months), base pay steps to ~$70K-$95K, with turnaround overtime layering on top.
Which NDT certifications are most in-demand in Boston?
ASNT NDT Level II in your primary method (UT or RT is the most marketable starting point); NAS 410 — mandatory for aerospace prime-contractor inspection work; 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 MA DEP and MA Boiler Code 522 CMR — local code references that procurement managers expect inspectors to be familiar with.
Are remote / travel NDT roles available out of Boston?
Boston is FIFO-heavy — most local NDT work involves rotation to remote sites with a per-diem premium. Travel-rotation positions dominate the local market, and willingness to mobilise is the standard expectation rather than the exception.
Who are the largest NDT employers in Boston?
The biggest single employer of NDT inspectors in Boston is Raytheon Technologies (HQ Tewksbury, Andover); the broader top-five typically also includes GE Aviation Lynn (jet engines), General Dynamics Quincy, Hanscom AFB, Moderna. Pre-qualification with the top three names unlocks the bulk of the local volume.
What makes the Boston NDT market different from neighbouring cities?
World's #1 biotech cluster (Kendall Square) — bioreactor + clean-utility piping NDT to ASME BPE / FDA cGMP unique density Combined with: pilgrim npp active decommissioning — segmentation of reactor internals, rpv cutting, large component shipping require specialized ndt. These local specialties shape the kinds of credentials that get hired here vs. neighbouring metros.
When does NDT hiring spike in Boston?
Hiring follows the local turnaround calendar: Pharma cGMP campaigns; Aerospace continuous. 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 Boston
Local courses, fees, and accreditation pathways feeding the same employer base.
NDT Services in Boston
The companies hiring inspectors — see the local service catalogue.
Explore Careers in Other Cities
Verified Boston, MA Inspection-Market Data
Hard numbers from BLS, EIA, AAPA, Census & API directories — anchoring this page to Boston, MA's actual NDT market, not a generic template.
- Local Wage Anchor — Level II NDT Technician
- $95K/yr typical for Boston, MA
- Metro Industrial Base
- 4.9M people in Boston-Cambridge-Newton MSA
- Sector Mix (NDT Demand Drivers)
- Pharma / Bio (22%) · Defense / Aerospace (18%) · Naval Shipyards (10%)
- Active API-Certified Inspectors (regional)
- ~90 API 510 · ~140 API 570 · ~90 API 653
- ASNT Chapter / Community
- Boston ASNT Section
- Cost-of-Living Impact on Rate Cards
- COL index 162.4 (62.4 pts above national avg) · transport surcharge band: high
Source: BLS OES May 2024 Boston-Cambridge-Newton MSA
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 Boston
Get certified, gain documented experience, and connect with the local employers above.