NDT Jobs & Salaries in San Francisco, CA
The NDT job market in San Francisco is shaped directly by its industrial base — Refining (Bay Area), Aerospace, Biotech infrastructure. Major employers and asset owners in the area include Chevron Richmond Refinery, Marathon Martinez Refinery, PBF Martinez Refinery, 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, BAAQMD, so any inspector hunting work in San Francisco 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: "BAAQMD requires inspection records to be defensible at unannounced audits — every instrument calibration certificate has to be retrievable in minutes." Beyond the top-of-mind names, the deeper bench in San Francisco includes Phillips 66 Rodeo Refinery (now renewable diesel), Valero Benicia Refinery, NASA Ames Research Center — these are the employers that pre-qualification managers screen most often when filling rotational openings. BLS-anchored Level II wages in San Francisco run around $102,000/yr; Level III with API endorsements layers on to roughly $148,000/yr — the gap between the two is the single biggest reason local inspectors pursue Level III. Jurisdictional layer matters here: BAAQMD and CARB 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 Francisco contractors. One angle that differentiates San Francisco from peer markets: Two refineries actively converting to renewable diesel (Marathon Martinez, Phillips 66 Rodeo) — unique decommissioning + retrofit inspection scope. Travel and per-diem load on contractor day-rates is high in San Francisco (FIFO/remote-work pattern); this shows up in posted rates and is non-negotiable on most contractor tenders. Turnaround calendar: Spring TAR (Feb-Apr); Fall TAR (Sep-Nov) — the inspection workforce flexes hard against this rhythm and overtime stacks during those windows.
Local industries
Top local employers / asset owners
- • Chevron Richmond Refinery (Refinery)
- • Marathon Martinez Refinery (Refinery)
- • PBF Martinez Refinery (Refinery)
Methods most-used locally
UT thickness; PAUT for high-temperature piping; RT on weld repairs; MT/PT on critical welds; 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 Francisco 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
- 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 Francisco 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 Francisco?
Entry-level NDT trainees in San Francisco start around $53K-$76K (BLS-anchored regional band). Once ASNT Level I certifications come in (typically 6-12 months), base pay steps to ~$76K-$102K, with turnaround overtime layering on top.
Which NDT certifications are most in-demand in San Francisco?
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 BAAQMD and CARB — local code references that procurement managers expect inspectors to be familiar with.
Are remote / travel NDT roles available out of San Francisco?
San Francisco is FIFO-heavy — most local NDT work involves rotation to remote sites with a per-diem premium. Travel-rotation positions dominate the local market, and willingness to mobilise is the standard expectation rather than the exception.
Who are the largest NDT employers in San Francisco?
The biggest single employer of NDT inspectors in San Francisco is Chevron Richmond Refinery; the broader top-five typically also includes PBF Martinez Refinery, Marathon Martinez Refinery, Phillips 66 Rodeo Refinery (now renewable diesel), Valero Benicia Refinery. Pre-qualification with the top three names unlocks the bulk of the local volume.
What makes the San Francisco NDT market different from neighbouring cities?
Two refineries actively converting to renewable diesel (Marathon Martinez, Phillips 66 Rodeo) — unique decommissioning + retrofit inspection scope Combined with: pg&e gas pipeline integrity (post-san bruno 2010) — california-specific cpuc go-112 testing + pressure-test traceability. These local specialties shape the kinds of credentials that get hired here vs. neighbouring metros.
When does NDT hiring spike in San Francisco?
Hiring follows the local turnaround calendar: Spring TAR (Feb-Apr); Fall TAR (Sep-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 San Francisco
Local courses, fees, and accreditation pathways feeding the same employer base.
NDT Services in San Francisco
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