22230 – Non-destructive testers and inspectors
Lead statement
Non-destructive testers and inspectors operate radiographic, ultrasonic, liquid penetrant, magnetic particle, eddy current and similar testing equipment to detect discontinuities in objects of various compositions and materials.
Main duties
- Transport, set up and calibrate non-destructive testing equipment
- Conduct tests to ensure quality or detect discontinuities (defects) using ultrasonic, radiographic, liquid penetrant, magnetic particle, eddy current and other non-destructive testing methods
- Establish techniques for proper examination of objects under inspection, ensuring strict adherence to safety regulations
- Interpret radiographs, cathode ray tube (CRT) or digital readouts, conductivity meters and visual indicators
- Apply testing criteria in accordance with applicable specifications or standards and evaluate results
- Organize and report test results
- May perform specialized inspections using acoustic emission, vibration analysis, infrared thermography and laser shearography testing methods
- May instruct and supervise trainees.
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is required.
- Completion of two years of an approved post-secondary science or engineering program may be required.
- Additional classroom and on-the-job training is required for certification in non-destructive testing.
- Non-destructive testing certification by Natural Resources Canada is available in three levels and is usually required by employers.
- Industrial radiographers using a radioactive isotope must pass an examination to be recognized as a certified exposure device operator by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.
- Welding inspector certification by the Canadian Welding Bureau is available in three levels and may be required by employers.
- Boiler and pressure vessel, process pipeline and above-ground storage tank inspector certification is available from the American Petroleum Institute.
Example job titles
acoustic emission technician · acoustic emission tester · black light technician - non-destructive testing · boiler tester · dye penetrant tester · eddy current technician · eddy current tester · fluorescent penetrant testing technician · fluoroscope tester · forging tester · hydrostatic tester · industrial radiographer · industrial radiographer - radiotelephony · infrared tester · infrared thermographer · infrared technician · non-destructive inspection tester · ultraviolet light testing technician · liquid penetrant technician - non-destructive testing · magnetic particle testing technician · magnetic particle tester · non-destructive testing maintenance (NDT) technician · maintenance technician - non-destructive testing (NDT) · non-destructive inspector · non-destructive tester · non-destructive examiner · non-destructive examination technician · non-destructive test technician · pipe tester - non-destructive testing · pressure tank tester · qualified operator - non-destructive testing · radiographic technician - non-destructive testing · radiographic tester · reflectoscope tester · non-destructive inspection technician · thermographer-tester · non-destructive testing trainee · ultrasonic immersion tester · ultrasonic technician - non-destructive testing · ultrasonic testing technician
Wages (per hour)
| Province / territory | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $21.13 | $36.00 | $52.48 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $27.00 | $38.77 | $53.23 |
| Nova Scotia | $22.00 | $37.87 | $55.00 |
| New Brunswick | $19.56 | $32.64 | $49.75 |
| Quebec | $21.00 | $29.91 | $43.02 |
| Ontario | $20.91 | $31.00 | $49.00 |
| Manitoba | $26.01 | $37.57 | $55.95 |
| Saskatchewan | $21.13 | $37.40 | $51.41 |
| Alberta | $22.00 | $36.38 | $55.00 |
| British Columbia | $25.32 | $41.77 | $56.00 |
Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.
Occupation details: ESDC OaSIS 2025, based on NOC 2021.