NDT Jobs & Salaries in Lafayette, LA
The NDT job market in Lafayette is shaped directly by its industrial base — Offshore oilfield services, Subsea fabrication, Gulf of Mexico operations. Major employers and asset owners in the area include SLB (Schlumberger) North Gulf Coast Operations Hub, Halliburton Lafayette Completion Tools Manufacturing, Port of Iberia (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 API 6A / 17D for subsea, BSEE for offshore, ABS, so any inspector hunting work in Lafayette 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: "Lafayette is the staging gate for every Gulf of Mexico subsea job — equipment that misses a calibration window on a Friday loses its slot on Monday's offshore boat." Beyond the top-of-mind names, the deeper bench in Lafayette includes Stone Energy, Hilcorp, PHI Aviation — these are the employers that pre-qualification managers screen most often when filling rotational openings. BLS-anchored Level II wages in Lafayette run around $80,000/yr; Level III with API endorsements layers on to roughly $122,000/yr — the gap between the two is the single biggest reason local inspectors pursue Level III. Jurisdictional layer matters here: LDEQ and BSEE/BOEM offshore regs 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-Lafayette contractors. One angle that differentiates Lafayette from peer markets: Lafayette is Gulf of Mexico offshore operations capital — helicopter ops to platforms. Turnaround calendar: Avoid hurricane season Jun-Nov — the inspection workforce flexes hard against this rhythm and overtime stacks during those windows.
Local industries
Top local employers / asset owners
- • SLB (Schlumberger) North Gulf Coast Operations Hub (Oilfield services HQ)
- • Halliburton Lafayette Completion Tools Manufacturing (Manufacturing)
- • Port of Iberia (regional) (Offshore fabrication port)
Methods most-used locally
UT subsea; ACFM in the splash zone; MT; ROV-assisted VT.
| 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 Lafayette market
- ASNT NDT Level II in your primary method (UT or RT is the most marketable starting point)
- 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 Lafayette 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 Lafayette?
Entry-level NDT trainees in Lafayette start around $41K-$58K (BLS-anchored regional band). Once ASNT Level I certifications come in (typically 6-12 months), base pay steps to ~$58K-$80K, with turnaround overtime layering on top.
Which NDT certifications are most in-demand in Lafayette?
ASNT NDT Level II in your primary method (UT or RT is the most marketable starting point); 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 LDEQ and BSEE/BOEM offshore regs — local code references that procurement managers expect inspectors to be familiar with.
Are remote / travel NDT roles available out of Lafayette?
Yes. Most Lafayette-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 Lafayette?
The biggest single employer of NDT inspectors in Lafayette is Halliburton; the broader top-five typically also includes Schlumberger, Baker Hughes, Stone Energy, Hilcorp. Pre-qualification with the top three names unlocks the bulk of the local volume.
What makes the Lafayette NDT market different from neighbouring cities?
Lafayette is Gulf of Mexico offshore operations capital — helicopter ops to platforms Combined with: bsee ndt regulations specifically for offshore — distinct from api 510/570/653. These local specialties shape the kinds of credentials that get hired here vs. neighbouring metros.
When does NDT hiring spike in Lafayette?
Hiring follows the local turnaround calendar: Avoid hurricane season Jun-Nov. 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 Lafayette
Local courses, fees, and accreditation pathways feeding the same employer base.
NDT Services in Lafayette
The companies hiring inspectors — see the local service catalogue.
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Start Your NDT Career in Lafayette
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