# Will non-destructive testing specialists be replaced by AI? Updated October 2026 Non-destructive testing specialists score 34 out of 100 for AI exposure. 49% of their task time needs a person. AI can do 14% and helps with 37%. - **14%** AI can do it - **37%** AI helps - **49%** Needs a person Moderate exposure Lower than 56% of the 923 jobs we scored. ## Task by task We graded 16 tasks, most exposed first. AI can do 2 of them, helps with 6 and leaves 8 to people. | Task | AI exposure | | --- | --- | | Prepare reports on non-destructive testing results. Drafting reports from test data is a strong AI fit. | 70% AI can do it | | Document non-destructive testing methods, processes, or results. Documenting methods and results is structured writing AI does well. | 65% AI can do it | | Interpret or evaluate test results in accordance with applicable codes, standards, specifications, or procedures. Comparing results to code criteria is mostly structured lookup work. | 55% AI helps | | Interpret the results of all methods of non-destructive testing (NDT), such as acoustic emission, electromagnetic, leak, liquid penetrant, magnetic particle, neutron radiographic, radiographic, thermal or infrared, ultrasonic, vibration analysis, and visual testing. Combining many method results needs expert judgment; AI drafts summaries. | 40% AI helps | | Identify defects in solid materials, using ultrasonic testing techniques. AI flags ultrasonic signals; technicians still scan and verify parts. | 35% AI helps | ## How non-destructive testing specialists compare All jobs (923) Architecture and engineering (56) The dark line is **non-destructive testing specialists, at 34**. Each dot is a score, and darker dots mean more jobs share it. The short marks are the averages, 37 for all jobs and 47 for architecture and engineering. ## Pay and outlook in the US Median pay $78,350 a year, May 2025 People employed 29,965 in the US, May 2025 Projected change in jobs +2.8% from 2024 to 2034 ## Skills to build - Hold ASNT Level II or III NDT certification - Calibrate ultrasonic flaw detectors and phased array units - Set up radiographic source and detector positions on parts - Interpret combined results from multiple NDT methods - Build test automation scripts in National Instruments LabVIEW ## Questions about non-destructive testing specialists and AI Will AI replace non-destructive testing specialists? Partly. About 3 in 10 working hours go to tasks AI can already do, mostly drafting reports and documenting methods and results. Field inspection, equipment setup and calibration, and hands-on radiographic and dye work stay with people because they need a person physically present at the part. Which non-destructive testing tasks is AI taking over? Preparing reports on test results scores 70 on exposure, since drafting from test data is a strong AI fit. Documenting methods, processes, and results scores 65 because structured writing suits AI. Checking results against codes and standards scores 55, since comparing values to criteria is mostly lookup work. Which non-destructive testing tasks stay with people? Liquid penetrant testing scores 8 on exposure, because applying dye, cleaning parts, and developing them is physical bench work. On-site examination of aircraft, bridges, and pipelines scores 12, since it needs a person at the structure. Supervising trainees scores 15 because coaching and accountability depend on live judgment. How can non-destructive testing specialists stay valuable? Keep ASNT Level II or III certification current, since code acceptance decisions rest on it. Use Excel to turn ultrasonic scan data into defect maps and trend tables. Write findings in Word and PowerPoint with the code clause cited. Calibrate LabVIEW-based rigs yourself and log each setup in SAP. ## Related jobs - [Aerospace technicians35 out of 100](https://www.aigentcy.com/ai-exposure/aerospace-technicians/) - [Calibration technicians44 out of 100](https://www.aigentcy.com/ai-exposure/calibration-technicians/) - [Mechanical engineering technicians49 out of 100](https://www.aigentcy.com/ai-exposure/mechanical-engineering-technicians/) - [Automotive engineering technicians43 out of 100](https://www.aigentcy.com/ai-exposure/automotive-engineering-technicians/) ## Next steps for non-destructive testing specialists - ### Check your job Your job title is a rough guide. Your tasks decide your score. Paste your job description or CV to see which tasks AI can do. [Check your job](https://www.aigentcy.com/tools/ai-exposure-checker/) [Check your CV](https://www.aigentcy.com/tools/cv-checker/) - ### Estimate team savings The score is per person. Add headcount and salary to see the hours AI can take on in a team of non-destructive testing specialists, and what they cost. [Estimate what AI saves a team of non-destructive testing specialists](https://www.aigentcy.com/tools/team-ai-audit/?role=non-destructive-testing-specialists) [Work out the return on automation](https://www.aigentcy.com/tools/ai-savings-calculator/) ### Check which roles in your team AI can take on We map your team's tasks, show what AI can do today and build the automations that pay back first. [Book an AI audit](https://www.aigentcy.com/audit/) ## Related topics - [**Jobs AI can't replace**Roustabouts score lowest, at 6.](https://www.aigentcy.com/ai-exposure/jobs-ai-cant-replace/) - [**Jobs most at risk from AI**Proofreaders score highest, at 76.](https://www.aigentcy.com/ai-exposure/jobs-most-exposed-to-ai/) - [**High-paying jobs with low AI exposure**Pediatric surgeons earn a median $559,030 and score 29.](https://www.aigentcy.com/ai-exposure/high-paying-jobs-low-ai-exposure/) - [**Entry-level jobs with low AI exposure**Roustabouts need little prior training and score 6.](https://www.aigentcy.com/ai-exposure/entry-level-jobs-low-ai-exposure/) - [**Jobs AI speeds up the most**AI helps with 98% of the task time for health informatics specialists.](https://www.aigentcy.com/ai-exposure/jobs-ai-speeds-up/) - [**AI and jobs in Malta**15 iGaming roles graded task by task.](https://www.aigentcy.com/ai-exposure/malta/) - [**Skills that keep work human**The skills to build in the jobs AI changes least.](https://www.aigentcy.com/ai-exposure/skills/) - [**Jobs A to Z**Every job we score, by first letter.](https://www.aigentcy.com/ai-exposure/jobs/) - [**AI exposure by industry**Average scores for 22 job groups.](https://www.aigentcy.com/ai-exposure/industries/) - [**Write a CV screening software can read**How applicant tracking systems read a CV, and what to change.](https://www.aigentcy.com/ai-exposure/cv-screening-guide/) - [**AI for businesses**The tasks to automate first in each team and industry.](https://www.aigentcy.com/ai-for/) - [**How we score AI exposure**The grading, the weights and every source.](https://www.aigentcy.com/ai-exposure/methodology/) Sources and licences Occupation data from the O\*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and modified by Aigentcy. O\*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Wage, employment and projection data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. EU occupation names from ESCO, European Commission. AI usage signals from the Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY) and Microsoft Research (CC BY 4.0). [Methodology and sources](https://www.aigentcy.com/ai-exposure/methodology/). Scores © Aigentcy. Quote them with a link to the page.