NDI inspector Thinking of leaving the military need advice!! 2

[AFNDI]

I am currently a NDT Craftsman in the military which is a 7-level. In the civilian world that is like a lvlII in all the basic inspection types. I am thinking of getting out and doing NDT on the outside but am not sure how strong the job market is. I have looked into CWI and API certs and they pay on average about 80-100,000.00 per year depending on the area you live in. I am wondering if anyone here has any insight on this. I am very bored with the military because they dont allow us to think on our own sometimes and in NDT it is a very thought provoking field and you get ostrisized for even thinking outside the box. I am very certain if I cant move up in rank or a more interesting position I would love to do this on the outside. Please if anyone has any imput I am open to suggestions. I will have a bachelors in Professional Aeronautics with a minor in Management and safety through Embry Riddle Aeronautical University next year. I currently hold an associates in applied science NDT methods through the community college of the Airforce. Any imput is useful imput.

 

[Ron]

I believe the salary info you have is a bit overstated. That would be more the exception than the rule for NDT technicians at ASNT Level II or CWI. API inspection is a bit more lucrative, but requires travel and the market is let stable. Unless you are in a large metro area with a strong construction market (where are those these days?), then you can expect travel with the other certs as well.

I would suggest that you strive for ASNT Level III. The opportunities are better and you'll get to practice more innovative things.

Good luck at ERAU. I'm currently working on a project there.

 

[GregLocock]

input. Accuracy is impotent.

Cheers

Greg Locock


New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376

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[stanweld]

Our CWI's typically make between $32 to $36 per hour and these wages are at the low end. I have seen as high as $45 to $55 per hour. With overtime on construction projects, our CWI's typically make more than $100,000 per year. In construction, however, you always work your way out of a your job.

 

[AFNDI]

Thanks guys I am trying to look into getting my level III already I am just trying to get all the study material and requirements together. Thanks again.

 

[racookpe1978]

Qualify nuke or the like: General construction is way down right now, but there are several plants beginning to build, and all the previous experienced people left/retired/died from those fields many dozen years ago.

 

[msquared48]

That's a god one Greg...

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask

 

[ornerynorsk]

You will find the same thought suppression in the corporate world, depending on whom you work for. Military has a lot of benefits and perks that will not be apparant until you're in the civilian world. How far away is 20 plus years for you?

 

[AFNDI]

I still have 14 to go only have six in right now. And I do understand that there are some things that are the same in the civilian world but the level III's we talk to are all happy and make six figures sooo not sure what they are doing right but it seems to be good.

 

[stanweld]

Industrial construction is currently quite slow and doesn't appear to be picking up until the last half of 2011 (a number of our new projects begin then and even later in 2012). Major nuclear power work (for NDE) is at least 3 years down the road. I have one freind, Level III, who has no problem keeping busy in the NDE of private & corporate aircraft.

An ASNT Level III provides a great opportunity to work for yourself.

 

[HgTX]

Inspectors with CWI plus MT & UT Level II are hard to find, and are in high demand in the bridge industry.

Hg

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[thruthefence]

Correct me, anyone, but aren't NDT ratings held by the Company, and you work under their certification? In other words, when you leave a company, you may take your knowledge and experience with you, but not your certs?

New employer, new certification under their auspices

 

[HgTX]

Yes, that's true, unless you get your cert directly from ASNT through their relatively new Central Certificaton Program:

http://www.asnt.org/certification/leveliii/pd-accp.pdf

Having held an employer's Level II cert, though, indicates to someone hiring you that you're capable of getting it, which is quite the start.

Hg

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