Industrial Radiographers

The U.S. Department of Labor does not currently forecast employment prospects for industrial radiographers. By some estimates, employment in this field will grow faster than the average for all industries over the next decade. Other estimates foresee more moderate growth, and some foresee actual declines. Many of the larger employers, such as nuclear research facilities, are dependent on government funding and federal support, which is never guaranteed.

According to a September 2024 analysis from the research firm, Knowledge Sourcing Intelligence LLP, the industrial radiography market was forecast to experience compound annual growth of 7.24 percent between 2024 and 2029. During this timeframe, revenues would likely increase from about $776.2 million to $1.1 billion, respectively. This forecast suggests that companies may need additional workers as expansion occurs.

The outlook for industrial radiographers is slightly less complicated than it is for isotope production technicians and hot cell technicians, because radiographers are dependent on X-ray, rather than nuclear, technology. During the coming years, many industries will be looking for ways to exploit the advantages of nondestructive testing provided by X-ray technology. However, some of these same industries—steel and manufacturing—are expected to experience only modest growth.