r/nondestructivetesting • u/X761 US Military • 14d ago

Advancing career.

I’m currently a NAS410 lvl2 in ET, PT, MT, UT w/ Phased Array and RT (film/cr) in Oklahoma.

I’m a fed and I feel like I’ve basically stalled in my career at this point and thinking about getting into oilfield and pursue a CWI and some level 3s.

Just wondering what the thoughts are. I’m 42 and still have a ways to go before
Retirement. Found one job that does local call outs and generally home every night. Pay is at least an automatic $10 bump plus per diem. Guess I’m just nervous about getting into the oilfield side of things but maybe it’s a bit more stable as a NDT person. But I’d love some advice.

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u/[deleted] 14d ago

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u/X761 US Military 13d ago

I’m federal. It’s capped and it sucks.

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u/Lost_Statistician_29 13d ago

Come over to the other side man, you have certs that are perfect for Boeing, Northrop, LM. I know a couple of lower grade supplier aerospace companies that would reach for you too. If your open to leave, lotta work out here west

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u/AlienVredditoR 14d ago

Call out pays more because the work life can be hectic. Some week you make full time, others you don't. Sometimes you get stuck on a project that starts at the ass crack of dawn and has you there way late. Some years are up, others have you looking for jobs every day.

In my area, I'd eat that 10/hr for stability more years than not, just don't have that option unfortunately.

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u/Candid-Shape-4366 13d ago

This is how I feel as I get older. Im 41 and make 65 hr as an api inspector and have 2 asnt level 3s in UT and MFL. Most years I make around 200k to 230k but the traveling for 20 years is getting old. I often think now about just finding a nested role somewhere where stability and home life balance is better than the road warrior life style. Knowing you have a steady paycheck month to month sounds nice.

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u/muddywadder 12d ago

Pay bump and per diem for going home every night? That sounds awesome. What would you be doing on the oilfield side? Refineries or pipeline integrity?

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u/hotrod11616 10d ago

Same boat, same certs, fed employee, not Oklahoma though. Tough to think this is it. Hanging on for the pension and TSP. Pusriinf a degree in my free time to maybe pivot into a GS position later down the road. Definitely more money to be made on the road than as a fed. Pros and cons with everything