NDT Jobs & Salaries in Portsmouth, VA
The NDT job market in Portsmouth is shaped directly by its industrial base — USN ship repair (nuclear), Commercial shipyard, Coal export terminals. Major employers and asset owners in the area include Norfolk Naval Shipyard (Portsmouth), BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair (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 NAVSEA T9074, ABS, AAR M-1003, so any inspector hunting work in Portsmouth 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: "Norfolk Naval Shipyard runs nuclear-submarine availabilities on the tightest NDT cal-traceability standards in the Navy — a missing cert kills a dry-dock day, not just a shift." BLS-anchored Level II wages in Portsmouth run around $76,000/yr; Level III with API endorsements layers on to roughly $116,000/yr — the gap between the two is the single biggest reason local inspectors pursue Level III. Jurisdictional layer matters here: NAVSEA Tech Pubs and Mil-Spec 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-Portsmouth contractors. One angle that differentiates Portsmouth from peer markets: Often confused with Portsmouth NH — this Portsmouth hosts Norfolk Naval Shipyard. 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
- • Norfolk Naval Shipyard (Portsmouth) (USN ship repair / nuclear)
- • BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair (regional) (Commercial / Navy ship repair)
Methods most-used locally
ASME Section XI ISI: UT, RT, MT, PT, ET; eddy current on tubes (ECT/RFT); UT thickness on hull plating; MT for welds; class-society RT; UT for cranes and bollards; MT; PT.
| 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 Portsmouth 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
- 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 Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth?
Entry-level NDT trainees in Portsmouth start around $38K-$54K (BLS-anchored regional band). Once ASNT Level I certifications come in (typically 6-12 months), base pay steps to ~$54K-$76K, with turnaround overtime layering on top.
Which NDT certifications are most in-demand in Portsmouth?
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; AWS CWI plus ABS / DNV / LR class-society approvals — these are the certifications that show up most often in local procurement and pre-qualification packages. Note also NAVSEA Tech Pubs and Mil-Spec NDT — local code references that procurement managers expect inspectors to be familiar with.
Are remote / travel NDT roles available out of Portsmouth?
Yes. Most Portsmouth-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 Portsmouth?
The biggest single employer of NDT inspectors in Portsmouth is Norfolk Naval Shipyard; the broader top-five typically also includes BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair. Pre-qualification with the top three names unlocks the bulk of the local volume.
What makes the Portsmouth NDT market different from neighbouring cities?
Often confused with Portsmouth NH — this Portsmouth hosts Norfolk Naval Shipyard Combined with: naval reactor refueling on east coast carriers. These local specialties shape the kinds of credentials that get hired here vs. neighbouring metros.
When does NDT hiring spike in Portsmouth?
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 Portsmouth
Local courses, fees, and accreditation pathways feeding the same employer base.
NDT Services in Portsmouth
The companies hiring inspectors — see the local service catalogue.
Explore Careers in Other Cities
Verified Portsmouth, VA Inspection-Market Data
Hard numbers from BLS, EIA, AAPA, Census & API directories — anchoring this page to Portsmouth, VA's actual NDT market, not a generic template.
- Local Wage Anchor — Level II NDT Technician
- $76K/yr typical for Portsmouth, VA
- Metro Industrial Base
- 98K people in Portsmouth, VA
- Sector Mix (NDT Demand Drivers)
- Naval Shipbuilding/Repair (65%)
- Active API-Certified Inspectors (regional)
- ~20 API 510 · ~25 API 570 · ~15 API 653
- ASNT Chapter / Community
- Regional ASNT chapter
- Cost-of-Living Impact on Rate Cards
- COL index 88.0 (12.0 pts below national avg) · transport surcharge band: medium
Source: BLS OES VA 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 Portsmouth
Get certified, gain documented experience, and connect with the local employers above.