About

Ask yourself...

  • Do you like working with complex analytical equipment to determine whether work has been performed correctly?
  • Could you perform and interpret radiography?
  • Are you familiar with the welding of vessels and/or structural components?
  • Do you have strong writing skills? 

If the answer to these questions is yes, then a career as an X-Ray Technician could be right for you.

X-Ray Technicians operate radiographic, ultrasonic and similar testing equipment to detect discontinuities in objects of various compositions and materials.

They are employed by quality control departments of construction companies and engineering firms, and by private industrial inspection companies.

Note: There is limited demand for this occupation in the construction industry.

Duties

X-Ray Technicians perform some or all of the following duties:

  • Set up and calibrate non-destructive testing equipment
  • Conduct tests to ensure quality or detect discontinuities (defects) using ultrasonic, radiographic 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

Work Conditions

Most of the work performed by X-Ray Technicians in the construction industry takes place on job sites or at assembly facilities.

As with all careers in the construction industry, safety is the top priority. While on construction or other job sites, X-Ray Technicians must be aware of and comply with all relevant safety policy and procedures.

Training and Certification

The Canadian Institute for NDE (Non-Destructive Examination) is a source of information on training providers for this occupation. For more information, visit www.cinde.ca.

Training of X-Ray Technicians is provided at technical colleges across Canada. The Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists is a good source of information on courses and training providers for this occupation. For more information, visit www.cctt.ca.

Typical background requirements:

  • Completion of two years of an approved post-secondary science or engineering program may be required, as well as additional classroom and on-the-job training required for certification in non-destructive testing.
  • Non-destructive testing certification by Natural Resources Canada may be required.
  • Industrial radiographers using radioactive isotopes must pass an examination to be recognized as a certified exposure device operator by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. For more information, visit www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca.
  • Welding inspector certification by the Canadian Welding Bureau is available in three levels and may be required by employers. For more information, visit www.cwbgroup.org.
  • Boiler and pressure vessel, process pipeline and above-ground storage tank inspector certification is available from the American Petroleum Institute. For more information, visit www.api.org.

Courses

Construction Industry Ethics
Construction Project Management
Pipeline Construction Safety Training
Working in a Respectful and Inclusive Workplace

Wage

Salary Gradient
Mid range
$72,880
Salary Range ArrowHigh range
$124,800
The wage range listed here is based on hourly rates multiplied by a 40-hour work week. Wages can vary depending on the contract, company, location and collective agreements (if applicable), as well as local and national economic conditions. Overtime is not included.

The “mid range” wage is based on the national “median” wage reported in the Job Bank career profile for this National Occupational Category (NOC): 2261

Note: Some career profiles may have more than one NOC code associated with them.

Wage data obtained from the Government of Canada’s Job Bank.

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