NDT Jobs & Salaries in San Antonio, TX
The NDT job market in San Antonio is shaped directly by its industrial base — Oil and gas support, Aerospace MRO, USAF. Major employers and asset owners in the area include Joint Base San Antonio, Boeing San Antonio Aerospace MRO, 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 FAA Part 145, NAS 410, so any inspector hunting work in San Antonio 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: "Mid-continent gas processing and USAF MRO both use NDT subcontractors — bridging the two compliance frameworks requires unified cert and equipment records." Beyond the top-of-mind names, the deeper bench in San Antonio includes Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas, NuStar Energy (HQ), USAA (HQ) — these are the employers that pre-qualification managers screen most often when filling rotational openings. BLS-anchored Level II wages in San Antonio run around $77,000/yr; Level III with API endorsements layers on to roughly $117,000/yr — the gap between the two is the single biggest reason local inspectors pursue Level III. Jurisdictional layer matters here: TPSC §757.001 and TCEQ 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-San Antonio contractors. One angle that differentiates San Antonio from peer markets: Valero HQ — supplies engineering NDT specs to 14 US refineries; engineering-tier work concentrated here. Turnaround calendar: Spring TAR (Mar-May); Aerospace continuous — the inspection workforce flexes hard against this rhythm and overtime stacks during those windows.
Local industries
Top local employers / asset owners
- • Joint Base San Antonio (Military)
- • Boeing San Antonio Aerospace MRO (Aerospace MRO)
Methods most-used locally
UT for cranes and bollards; MT; PT; coating thickness; 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 San Antonio 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 San Antonio 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 San Antonio?
Entry-level NDT trainees in San Antonio start around $40K-$57K (BLS-anchored regional band). Once ASNT Level I certifications come in (typically 6-12 months), base pay steps to ~$57K-$77K, with turnaround overtime layering on top.
Which NDT certifications are most in-demand in San Antonio?
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 TPSC §757.001 and TCEQ — local code references that procurement managers expect inspectors to be familiar with.
Are remote / travel NDT roles available out of San Antonio?
Yes. Most San Antonio-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 San Antonio?
The biggest single employer of NDT inspectors in San Antonio is Valero Energy (HQ + 90k bpd refinery); the broader top-five typically also includes Boeing San Antonio (KC-46, C-17), JBSA Lackland / Randolph / Fort Sam, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas, NuStar Energy (HQ). Pre-qualification with the top three names unlocks the bulk of the local volume.
What makes the San Antonio NDT market different from neighbouring cities?
Valero HQ — supplies engineering NDT specs to 14 US refineries; engineering-tier work concentrated here Combined with: boeing san antonio (port sa) — sustainment for 4 of largest usaf airframes; cleared ndt a major draw. These local specialties shape the kinds of credentials that get hired here vs. neighbouring metros.
When does NDT hiring spike in San Antonio?
Hiring follows the local turnaround calendar: Spring TAR (Mar-May); Aerospace continuous. 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 San Antonio
Local courses, fees, and accreditation pathways feeding the same employer base.
NDT Services in San Antonio
The companies hiring inspectors — see the local service catalogue.
Explore Careers in Other Cities
Start Your NDT Career in San Antonio
Get certified, gain documented experience, and connect with the local employers above.