NDT Jobs & Salaries in Stavanger, Norway
The NDT job market in Stavanger is shaped directly by its industrial base — North Sea offshore oil and gas, Subsea, Floating production. Major employers and asset owners in the area include Equinor Forus HQ, Aker Solutions Stavanger, Aker BP Stavanger, 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 PSA Norway (Petroleumstilsynet), DNV, NORSOK, so any inspector hunting work in Stavanger 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: "PSA Norway audits NDT records at the asset and corporate level simultaneously — Equinor and partner contractors run NORSOK-grade traceability where a cal-record gap reads as a safety-case deficiency." Beyond the top-of-mind names, the deeper bench in Stavanger includes TotalEnergies Norway, Aker Solutions, OneSubsea — these are the employers that pre-qualification managers screen most often when filling rotational openings. BLS-anchored Level II wages in Stavanger run around $95,000/yr; Level III with API endorsements layers on to roughly $145,000/yr — the gap between the two is the single biggest reason local inspectors pursue Level III. Jurisdictional layer matters here: PSA Norway regulations and NORSOK standards (M-101, M-501) 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-Stavanger contractors. One angle that differentiates Stavanger from peer markets: PSA's Sikkerhetsforum (Safety Forum) drives industry-wide NDT standards. Turnaround calendar: Summer TARs (May-Aug); Avoid winter for outdoor work — the inspection workforce flexes hard against this rhythm and overtime stacks during those windows.
Local industries
Top local employers / asset owners
- • Equinor Forus HQ (Integrated energy HQ)
- • Aker Solutions Stavanger (Subsea / offshore engineering)
- • Aker BP Stavanger (Offshore operator)
Methods most-used locally
UT subsea; ACFM in the splash zone; MT; ROV-assisted VT.
| 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 Stavanger market
- ASNT NDT Level II in your primary method (UT or RT is the most marketable starting point)
- 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 Stavanger 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 Stavanger?
Entry-level NDT trainees in Stavanger start around $49K-$70K (BLS-anchored regional band). Once ASNT Level I certifications come in (typically 6-12 months), base pay steps to ~$70K-$95K, with turnaround overtime layering on top.
Which NDT certifications are most in-demand in Stavanger?
ASNT NDT Level II in your primary method (UT or RT is the most marketable starting point); 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 PSA Norway regulations and NORSOK standards (M-101, M-501) — local code references that procurement managers expect inspectors to be familiar with.
Are remote / travel NDT roles available out of Stavanger?
Yes. Most Stavanger-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 Stavanger?
The biggest single employer of NDT inspectors in Stavanger is Equinor (HQ); the broader top-five typically also includes Aker BP, ConocoPhillips Norway, TotalEnergies Norway, Aker Solutions. Pre-qualification with the top three names unlocks the bulk of the local volume.
What makes the Stavanger NDT market different from neighbouring cities?
PSA's Sikkerhetsforum (Safety Forum) drives industry-wide NDT standards Combined with: norsok m-101 is the dominant fabrication code — replaces asme for norwegian sector. These local specialties shape the kinds of credentials that get hired here vs. neighbouring metros.
When does NDT hiring spike in Stavanger?
Hiring follows the local turnaround calendar: Summer TARs (May-Aug); Avoid winter for outdoor work. 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 Stavanger
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NDT Services in Stavanger
The companies hiring inspectors — see the local service catalogue.
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