NDT Jobs & Salaries in Dallas, TX
The NDT job market in Dallas is shaped directly by its industrial base — Aerospace and defense, Heavy manufacturing, Pipelines and midstream. Major employers and asset owners in the area include Bell Textron Hurst (regional), Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control (Grand Prairie, regional), Raytheon McKinney (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, ASME, so any inspector hunting work in Dallas 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: "Dallas-based NDT shops support Texas-wide rotor-craft and aerospace MRO — chain-of-custody on instrument calibration across multiple state-line jobs is the operational pain." Beyond the top-of-mind names, the deeper bench in Dallas includes Texas Instruments Sherman + Richardson, Energy Transfer LP, Atmos Energy — these are the employers that pre-qualification managers screen most often when filling rotational openings. BLS-anchored Level II wages in Dallas run around $80,000/yr; Level III with API endorsements layers on to roughly $121,000/yr — the gap between the two is the single biggest reason local inspectors pursue Level III. Jurisdictional layer matters here: TPSC §757.001 and TCEQ 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-Dallas contractors. One angle that differentiates Dallas from peer markets: Lockheed Fort Worth — F-35 final assembly; AS9100 + Lockheed-specific NDT proc (SE 12) cert depth. Turnaround calendar: Aerospace continuous; Semi Q1/Q3 — the inspection workforce flexes hard against this rhythm and overtime stacks during those windows.
Local industries
Top local employers / asset owners
- • Bell Textron Hurst (regional) (Rotorcraft manufacturing)
- • Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control (Grand Prairie, regional) (Defense manufacturing)
- • Raytheon McKinney (regional) (Defense electronics)
Methods most-used locally
FPI to NAS 410; eddy-current array; phased-array UT on composites; X-ray and CT; UT; RT; PT; MT.
| 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 Dallas 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
- 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 Dallas 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 Dallas?
Entry-level NDT trainees in Dallas start around $42K-$60K (BLS-anchored regional band). Once ASNT Level I certifications come in (typically 6-12 months), base pay steps to ~$60K-$80K, with turnaround overtime layering on top.
Which NDT certifications are most in-demand in Dallas?
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; API 510 (pressure vessel) — turnaround season is gated by the count of API 510 inspectors a contractor can field — these are the certifications that show up most often in local procurement and pre-qualification packages. Note also TPSC §757.001 and TCEQ — local code references that procurement managers expect inspectors to be familiar with.
Are remote / travel NDT roles available out of Dallas?
Yes. Most Dallas-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 Dallas?
The biggest single employer of NDT inspectors in Dallas is Lockheed Martin Fort Worth (F-35 + F-16); the broader top-five typically also includes Bell Textron (V-280, V-22), Raytheon McKinney, Texas Instruments Sherman + Richardson, Energy Transfer LP. Pre-qualification with the top three names unlocks the bulk of the local volume.
What makes the Dallas NDT market different from neighbouring cities?
Lockheed Fort Worth — F-35 final assembly; AS9100 + Lockheed-specific NDT proc (SE 12) cert depth Combined with: bell v-280 valor (flraa next-gen army rotorcraft) — composite tilt-rotor structure ndt to mil-std-2154. These local specialties shape the kinds of credentials that get hired here vs. neighbouring metros.
When does NDT hiring spike in Dallas?
Hiring follows the local turnaround calendar: Aerospace continuous; Semi Q1/Q3. 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 Dallas
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