NDT Jobs & Salaries in Mobile, AL
The NDT job market in Mobile is shaped directly by its industrial base — Shipbuilding, Aerospace (Airbus FAL), Steel. Major employers and asset owners in the area include Austal USA Mobile shipyard, Airbus Mobile Final Assembly Line, AM/NS Calvert (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 ABS / USCG for marine, FAA Part 145 / EASA, AS9100, so any inspector hunting work in Mobile 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: "Austal's new steel line and Airbus's FAL inside one bay means a Level III tech might run AWS D1.1 at 8am and AS9100 weld-source surveillance by lunch — paperwork systems can't switch that fast without a unified cert vault." Beyond the top-of-mind names, the deeper bench in Mobile includes Mobile Container Terminal, Chevron Pascagoula (regional) — these are the employers that pre-qualification managers screen most often when filling rotational openings. BLS-anchored Level II wages in Mobile run around $72,000/yr; Level III with API endorsements layers on to roughly $110,000/yr — the gap between the two is the single biggest reason local inspectors pursue Level III. Jurisdictional layer matters here: ADEM and ABS class rules 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-Mobile contractors. One angle that differentiates Mobile from peer markets: Austal aluminum-hull shipbuilding — unique material inspection (vs steel hulls). 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
- • Austal USA Mobile shipyard (Naval shipbuilding)
- • Airbus Mobile Final Assembly Line (Commercial aerospace)
- • AM/NS Calvert (regional) (Steel)
- • Chevron Pascagoula (regional) (Refinery)
Methods most-used locally
UT thickness; MT; PT; class-society RT; FPI to NAS 410; eddy-current array; phased-array UT on composites; X-ray and CT.
| 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 Mobile 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
- NAS 410 — mandatory for aerospace prime-contractor inspection work
- API 510 (pressure vessel) — turnaround season is gated by the count of API 510 inspectors a contractor can field
- API 570 (in-service piping) — table-stakes for any piping-circuit inspection work
- API 653 (above-ground storage tank) — required for tank shell, floor, and roof inspection scopes
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 Mobile 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 Mobile?
Entry-level NDT trainees in Mobile start around $36K-$52K (BLS-anchored regional band). Once ASNT Level I certifications come in (typically 6-12 months), base pay steps to ~$52K-$72K, with turnaround overtime layering on top.
Which NDT certifications are most in-demand in Mobile?
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; NAS 410 — mandatory for aerospace prime-contractor inspection work — these are the certifications that show up most often in local procurement and pre-qualification packages. Note also ADEM and ABS class rules — local code references that procurement managers expect inspectors to be familiar with.
Are remote / travel NDT roles available out of Mobile?
Yes. Most Mobile-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 Mobile?
The biggest single employer of NDT inspectors in Mobile is Austal USA; the broader top-five typically also includes Airbus Mobile, AM/NS Calvert (steel), Mobile Container Terminal, Chevron Pascagoula (regional). Pre-qualification with the top three names unlocks the bulk of the local volume.
What makes the Mobile NDT market different from neighbouring cities?
Austal aluminum-hull shipbuilding — unique material inspection (vs steel hulls) Combined with: airbus mobile fal — only airbus assembly outside europe and china; easa part-145. These local specialties shape the kinds of credentials that get hired here vs. neighbouring metros.
When does NDT hiring spike in Mobile?
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 Mobile
Local courses, fees, and accreditation pathways feeding the same employer base.
NDT Services in Mobile
The companies hiring inspectors — see the local service catalogue.
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