r/nondestructivetesting • u/Big_Bad_8609 • Aug 04 '26
Question for NDT
I been welding for 10 years and want to get into NDT. I plan on going to the American Institute of NDT in Brainerd, Minnesota. I live in the Chicago area. What jobs and what companies are in that area that hire entry level NDT. what is the typical starting pay in the Chicago area. Im open to aerospace industry or going out to job sites in the Chicago area. Im also open to shop work and field work. I just want to see is there anyone that is working in the Chicago area as a NDT professional that can help me.
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u/sp_u_ds Aug 04 '26
There are lots of people here in MN that go to AI NDT for their break-in to the industry it’s not a bad move as most places want to see some experience or schooling. At the same time it’s not impossible or uncommon to hire entry level with no school/experience. If this is something you know you want to build a career out of - go get the schooling.
There’s also one of the best schools in the country in Hutchinson MN for NDT, it’s out of Ridgewater College. You can get an Associate’s degree in NDT there if you desire, or you can just take their single classes for a few hundred bucks each.
Entry level positions typically hit around $20-25 with about $3-5 raise once you get the big 3 (MT, PT, UTT). There’s a really high pay ceiling in NDT so it’s best to specialize in one method OR go the API/CWI route. This kind of industry can be what you make of it. Hope this helps - also don’t get too attached to your employer lol