NDT Jobs & Salaries in Knoxville / Oak Ridge, TN
The NDT job market in Knoxville / Oak Ridge is shaped directly by its industrial base — Nuclear power generation, DOE research and weapons, Power generation (TVA HQ). Major employers and asset owners in the area include Oak Ridge National Laboratory, TVA Watts Bar Nuclear (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 10 CFR 50, ASME Section XI, NRC, so any inspector hunting work in Knoxville / Oak Ridge 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: "Nuclear ISI contracts demand multi-decade record retention — anything less than digital, exportable, audit-grade traceability fails the next NRC review." Beyond the top-of-mind names, the deeper bench in Knoxville / Oak Ridge includes TVA Watts Bar NPP (regional), TVA Sequoyah NPP (regional), Aerojet Rocketdyne Camden TN (regional) — these are the employers that pre-qualification managers screen most often when filling rotational openings. BLS-anchored Level II wages in Knoxville / Oak Ridge 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: TDEC and TN Boiler Code TCA 68-122 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-Knoxville / Oak Ridge contractors. One angle that differentiates Knoxville / Oak Ridge from peer markets: Y-12 National Security Complex — only US uranium HEU processing facility; Q-clearance NDT.
Local industries
Top local employers / asset owners
- • Oak Ridge National Laboratory (DOE research)
- • TVA Watts Bar Nuclear (regional) (Nuclear)
Methods most-used locally
ASME Section XI ISI: UT, RT, MT, PT, ET; eddy current on tubes (ECT/RFT); UT for steam piping; RT for boiler welds; MT/PT on blades; ET on tubes.
| 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 Knoxville / Oak Ridge market
- ASNT NDT Level II in your primary method (UT or RT is the most marketable starting point)
- ASME Section XI / ANSI N45.2.6 — required for in-service inspection at nuclear plants
- 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 Knoxville / Oak Ridge 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 Knoxville / Oak Ridge?
Entry-level NDT trainees in Knoxville / Oak Ridge 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 Knoxville / Oak Ridge?
ASNT NDT Level II in your primary method (UT or RT is the most marketable starting point); ASME Section XI / ANSI N45.2.6 — required for in-service inspection at nuclear plants; 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 TDEC and TN Boiler Code TCA 68-122 — local code references that procurement managers expect inspectors to be familiar with.
Are remote / travel NDT roles available out of Knoxville / Oak Ridge?
Yes. Most Knoxville / Oak Ridge-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 Knoxville / Oak Ridge?
The biggest single employer of NDT inspectors in Knoxville / Oak Ridge is Oak Ridge National Laboratory (UT-Battelle); the broader top-five typically also includes Y-12 National Security Complex (Consolidated Nuclear Security), TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority HQ), TVA Watts Bar NPP (regional), TVA Sequoyah NPP (regional). Pre-qualification with the top three names unlocks the bulk of the local volume.
What makes the Knoxville / Oak Ridge NDT market different from neighbouring cities?
Y-12 National Security Complex — only US uranium HEU processing facility; Q-clearance NDT Combined with: ornl — doe national lab, advanced reactor r&d. These local specialties shape the kinds of credentials that get hired here vs. neighbouring metros.
NDT Training in Knoxville / Oak Ridge
Local courses, fees, and accreditation pathways feeding the same employer base.
NDT Services in Knoxville / Oak Ridge
The companies hiring inspectors — see the local service catalogue.
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Start Your NDT Career in Knoxville / Oak Ridge
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