NDT Jobs & Salaries in Marietta, GA
The NDT job market in Marietta is shaped directly by its industrial base — Defense aerospace (Lockheed Martin), Military airlift, Aerostructures (F-35). Major employers and asset owners in the area include Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Marietta (C-130J / F-35 center wing / C-5M sustainment), Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Pratt & Whitney Columbus (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 AS9100, Nadcap, FAA Part 145, so any inspector hunting work in Marietta 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: "Marietta runs the longest continuous military aircraft line in history — a Nadcap NDE finding on an F-35 center-wing mate stops a fighter assembly that's already on a delivery clock." BLS-anchored Level II wages in Marietta run around $78,000/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: AS9100 and Nadcap NDT 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-Marietta contractors. One angle that differentiates Marietta from peer markets: Lockheed Marietta is C-130 birthplace + sole F-22 depot. Turnaround calendar: Spring/Fall TARs — the inspection workforce flexes hard against this rhythm and overtime stacks during those windows.
Local industries
Top local employers / asset owners
- • Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Marietta (C-130J / F-35 center wing / C-5M sustainment) (Defense aerospace)
- • Dobbins Air Reserve Base (Defense)
- • Pratt & Whitney Columbus (regional) (Engine MRO)
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 Marietta 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 Marietta 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 Marietta?
Entry-level NDT trainees in Marietta start around $39K-$56K (BLS-anchored regional band). Once ASNT Level I certifications come in (typically 6-12 months), base pay steps to ~$56K-$78K, with turnaround overtime layering on top.
Which NDT certifications are most in-demand in Marietta?
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 AS9100 and Nadcap NDT — local code references that procurement managers expect inspectors to be familiar with.
Are remote / travel NDT roles available out of Marietta?
Yes. Most Marietta-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 Marietta?
The biggest single employer of NDT inspectors in Marietta is Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Marietta; the broader top-five typically also includes Dobbins ARB. Pre-qualification with the top three names unlocks the bulk of the local volume.
What makes the Marietta NDT market different from neighbouring cities?
Lockheed Marietta is C-130 birthplace + sole F-22 depot Combined with: composite ndt + airframe weld inspection. These local specialties shape the kinds of credentials that get hired here vs. neighbouring metros.
When does NDT hiring spike in Marietta?
Hiring follows the local turnaround calendar: Spring/Fall TARs. 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 Marietta
Local courses, fees, and accreditation pathways feeding the same employer base.
NDT Services in Marietta
The companies hiring inspectors — see the local service catalogue.
Explore Careers in Other Cities
Verified Marietta, GA Inspection-Market Data
Hard numbers from BLS, EIA, AAPA, Census & API directories — anchoring this page to Marietta, GA's actual NDT market, not a generic template.
- Local Wage Anchor — Level II NDT Technician
- $78K/yr typical for Marietta, GA
- Metro Industrial Base
- 60K people in Marietta, GA
- Sector Mix (NDT Demand Drivers)
- Aerospace Manufacturing (65%)
- Active API-Certified Inspectors (regional)
- ~20 API 510 · ~25 API 570 · ~15 API 653
- ASNT Chapter / Community
- ASNT Atlanta Section
- Cost-of-Living Impact on Rate Cards
- COL index 88.0 (12.0 pts below national avg) · transport surcharge band: medium
Source: BLS OES GA state 2024
Source: US Census ACS 2023
Source: BEA Regional Accounts 2023
Source: API ICP roster + state directories (est.)
Source: ASNT chapter directory
Source: C2ER ACCRA COL Index 2024
Continue Reading — In-Depth Guides
Authored by ASNT Level III inspectors. Real procedures, real numbers, real codes.
- Ultrasonic Testing — Complete GuidePhysics, calibration, codes, equipment, applications.
- Radiographic Testing — Complete GuideSources, exposure, IQIs, ASME V, digital RT.
- Magnetic Particle Testing — Complete GuideAC/DC field, wet/dry methods, ASTM E709, yoke.
- Penetrant Testing — Complete GuideVisible vs fluorescent, ASTM E165, dwell times.
- Phased Array UT (PAUT) — Complete GuideBeam steering, focal laws, scan plans, ISO 13588.
Start Your NDT Career in Marietta
Get certified, gain documented experience, and connect with the local employers above.