NDT Jobs & Salaries in Philadelphia, PA
The NDT job market in Philadelphia is shaped directly by its industrial base — Refining (legacy + biofuels), Pharma manufacturing, Commercial shipbuilding. Major employers and asset owners in the area include Monroe Energy Trainer Refinery (regional), Philly Shipyard (Aker Philadelphia), 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 510 / 570, FDA cGMP, ABS, so any inspector hunting work in Philadelphia 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: "Northeast refinery contractors juggle API and pharma-cGMP compliance frameworks — neither permits expired-cert technicians on site, and Philly Shipyard adds an ABS weld-NDT layer on top." Beyond the top-of-mind names, the deeper bench in Philadelphia includes GSK, Merck (Spring House, regional), J&J — these are the employers that pre-qualification managers screen most often when filling rotational openings. BLS-anchored Level II wages in Philadelphia run around $86,000/yr; Level III with API endorsements layers on to roughly $128,000/yr — the gap between the two is the single biggest reason local inspectors pursue Level III. Jurisdictional layer matters here: PA DEP Air and PA Boiler Code 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-Philadelphia contractors. One angle that differentiates Philadelphia from peer markets: Marcus Hook NGL export terminal — repurposed from refinery, unique brownfield NDT scope including cryogenic ethane storage. Turnaround calendar: Refinery Spring/Fall; Aerospace continuous; Nuclear refueling 18-month — the inspection workforce flexes hard against this rhythm and overtime stacks during those windows.
Local industries
Top local employers / asset owners
- • Monroe Energy Trainer Refinery (regional) (Refinery)
- • Philly Shipyard (Aker Philadelphia) (Commercial shipbuilder (Jones Act vessels))
Methods most-used locally
UT thickness; PAUT for high-temperature piping; RT on weld repairs; MT/PT on critical welds; UT; MT; PT; 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 Philadelphia market
- ASNT NDT Level II in your primary method (UT or RT is the most marketable starting point)
- 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
- 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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia?
Entry-level NDT trainees in Philadelphia start around $45K-$64K (BLS-anchored regional band). Once ASNT Level I certifications come in (typically 6-12 months), base pay steps to ~$64K-$86K, with turnaround overtime layering on top.
Which NDT certifications are most in-demand in Philadelphia?
ASNT NDT Level II in your primary method (UT or RT is the most marketable starting point); 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 — these are the certifications that show up most often in local procurement and pre-qualification packages. Note also PA DEP Air and PA Boiler Code — local code references that procurement managers expect inspectors to be familiar with.
Are remote / travel NDT roles available out of Philadelphia?
Yes. Most Philadelphia-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 Philadelphia?
The biggest single employer of NDT inspectors in Philadelphia is Boeing Philadelphia (Ridley Park) — V-22, CH-47, MH-139; the broader top-five typically also includes Monroe Energy Trainer Refinery, Energy Transfer Marcus Hook, GSK, Merck (Spring House, regional). Pre-qualification with the top three names unlocks the bulk of the local volume.
What makes the Philadelphia NDT market different from neighbouring cities?
Marcus Hook NGL export terminal — repurposed from refinery, unique brownfield NDT scope including cryogenic ethane storage Combined with: pes refinery (philadelphia energy solutions) closed 2019 after explosion — site cleanup + tank decommissioning still ongoing. These local specialties shape the kinds of credentials that get hired here vs. neighbouring metros.
When does NDT hiring spike in Philadelphia?
Hiring follows the local turnaround calendar: Refinery Spring/Fall; Aerospace continuous; Nuclear refueling 18-month. 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 Philadelphia
Local courses, fees, and accreditation pathways feeding the same employer base.
NDT Services in Philadelphia
The companies hiring inspectors — see the local service catalogue.
Explore Careers in Other Cities
Start Your NDT Career in Philadelphia
Get certified, gain documented experience, and connect with the local employers above.