NDT Jobs & Salaries in Denver, CO
The NDT job market in Denver is shaped directly by its industrial base — Oil and gas (Niobrara Basin), Aerospace HQs, Manufacturing. Major employers and asset owners in the area include Suncor Commerce City Refinery, Lockheed Martin Denver, 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 570, ASME, FAA Part 145, so any inspector hunting work in Denver should expect those references in interviews and pre-qualification packages. Local wages run a touch above the national median, reflecting the industrial concentration in the metro. A recurring local theme: "Front Range NDT inspection windows are short — the high-altitude calibration interval drift on portable UT equipment has to be tracked tighter than coastal benchmarks." Beyond the top-of-mind names, the deeper bench in Denver includes Anadarko/Occidental DJ Basin, Civitas Resources, Vestas (regional) — these are the employers that pre-qualification managers screen most often when filling rotational openings. BLS-anchored Level II wages in Denver run around $82,000/yr; Level III with API endorsements layers on to roughly $124,000/yr — the gap between the two is the single biggest reason local inspectors pursue Level III. Jurisdictional layer matters here: CDPHE Air Pollution and COGCC Oil & Gas Rules (now ECMC) 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-Denver contractors. One angle that differentiates Denver from peer markets: Lockheed Martin Waterton — Orion spacecraft NDT to NASA-STD-5009 + GPS III satellite assembly. Turnaround calendar: Spring TAR (Mar-May); Aerospace continuous — the inspection workforce flexes hard against this rhythm and overtime stacks during those windows.
Local industries
Top local employers / asset owners
- • Suncor Commerce City Refinery (Refinery)
- • Lockheed Martin Denver (Aerospace)
Methods most-used locally
FPI to NAS 410; eddy-current array; phased-array UT on composites; X-ray and CT; UT; MT; PT; RT.
| Role | Pay (USD) |
|---|---|
NDT Trainee / Helper 0-1 yrs • No certification yet; pursuing ASNT Level I | $42K–$55K |
ASNT Level I Technician 1-2 yrs • ASNT NDT Level I in one or more methods | $53K–$72K |
ASNT Level II UT/RT/MT/PT Inspector 3-6 yrs • ASNT NDT Level II in primary method(s) | $66K–$101K |
PAUT/TOFD Technician 4-8 yrs • ASNT Level II UT plus PAUT and/or TOFD endorsement | $86K–$127K |
API 510 / 570 / 653 Inspector 5+ yrs • API 510, 570, or 653 individual certifications | $97K–$149K |
ASNT Level III / NDE Engineer 8-15 yrs • ASNT NDT Level III in multiple methods | $121K–$193K |
Certifications worth holding for the Denver 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 Denver 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 Denver?
Entry-level NDT trainees in Denver start around $42K-$60K (BLS-anchored regional band). Once ASNT Level I certifications come in (typically 6-12 months), base pay steps to ~$60K-$82K, with turnaround overtime layering on top.
Which NDT certifications are most in-demand in Denver?
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 CDPHE Air Pollution and COGCC Oil & Gas Rules (now ECMC) — local code references that procurement managers expect inspectors to be familiar with.
Are remote / travel NDT roles available out of Denver?
Yes. Most Denver-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 Denver?
The biggest single employer of NDT inspectors in Denver is Lockheed Martin Space Systems; the broader top-five typically also includes Suncor Commerce City Refinery, Northrop Grumman, Anadarko/Occidental DJ Basin, Civitas Resources. Pre-qualification with the top three names unlocks the bulk of the local volume.
What makes the Denver NDT market different from neighbouring cities?
Lockheed Martin Waterton — Orion spacecraft NDT to NASA-STD-5009 + GPS III satellite assembly Combined with: dj basin — uniquely strict ecmc (formerly cogcc) flowline inspection rules post-firestone explosion 2017. These local specialties shape the kinds of credentials that get hired here vs. neighbouring metros.
When does NDT hiring spike in Denver?
Hiring follows the local turnaround calendar: Spring TAR (Mar-May); 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 Denver
Local courses, fees, and accreditation pathways feeding the same employer base.
NDT Services in Denver
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