NDT Jobs & Salaries in Jacksonville, FL
The NDT job market in Jacksonville is shaped directly by its industrial base — US Navy, Port operations, Shipyard repair. Major employers and asset owners in the area include Naval Station Mayport, BAE Systems Jacksonville Ship Repair, 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, ABS, USCG, so any inspector hunting work in Jacksonville 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: "Navy ship-repair contracts demand single-point traceability from technician cert to instrument cal to inspection record — fragmentation fails SUBSAFE-style audits." Beyond the top-of-mind names, the deeper bench in Jacksonville includes JEA, Anheuser-Busch Jax Brewery, CSX Transportation (HQ) — these are the employers that pre-qualification managers screen most often when filling rotational openings. BLS-anchored Level II wages in Jacksonville run around $76,000/yr; Level III with API endorsements layers on to roughly $116,000/yr — the gap between the two is the single biggest reason local inspectors pursue Level III. Jurisdictional layer matters here: FL DEP and FL F.S. 554 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-Jacksonville contractors. One angle that differentiates Jacksonville from peer markets: NS Mayport — only east coast Ford-class CVN-capable port besides Norfolk.
Local industries
Top local employers / asset owners
- • Naval Station Mayport (Navy)
- • BAE Systems Jacksonville Ship Repair (Shipbuilding)
Methods most-used locally
UT for cranes and bollards; MT; PT; coating thickness; UT thickness on hull plating; MT for welds; class-society 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 Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville?
Entry-level NDT trainees in Jacksonville start around $39K-$56K (BLS-anchored regional band). Once ASNT Level I certifications come in (typically 6-12 months), base pay steps to ~$56K-$76K, with turnaround overtime layering on top.
Which NDT certifications are most in-demand in Jacksonville?
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 FL DEP and FL F.S. 554 — local code references that procurement managers expect inspectors to be familiar with.
Are remote / travel NDT roles available out of Jacksonville?
Yes. Most Jacksonville-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 Jacksonville?
The biggest single employer of NDT inspectors in Jacksonville is Naval Station Mayport; the broader top-five typically also includes Naval Air Station Jacksonville (FRCSE), JAXPORT, JEA, Anheuser-Busch Jax Brewery. Pre-qualification with the top three names unlocks the bulk of the local volume.
What makes the Jacksonville NDT market different from neighbouring cities?
NS Mayport — only east coast Ford-class CVN-capable port besides Norfolk Combined with: frcse — depot for entire p-8a poseidon fleet (ndt to navair 01-1a-16). These local specialties shape the kinds of credentials that get hired here vs. neighbouring metros.
NDT Training in Jacksonville
Local courses, fees, and accreditation pathways feeding the same employer base.
NDT Services in Jacksonville
The companies hiring inspectors — see the local service catalogue.
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Start Your NDT Career in Jacksonville
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