How to Become a Materials Tester

Quick Facts

  • Average Salary: $48,500/year
  • Required Education: High school diploma or equivalent
  • Required Experience: Entry-level through on-the-job training
  • Licensing: Not required in most states
  • Job Outlook: 3% growth (2020-2030)

What Does a Materials Tester Do?

A Materials Tester in the construction industry is an important part of ensuring safety and efficiency. This role involves testing building materials like wood, metal, concrete, and more, to make sure they are suitable and safe for use in various construction projects.

As a Materials Tester, your typical work environment may vary. Some days you could be in a lab, while other days you could be on a construction site inspecting materials and using equipment to measure their properties. Safety is key in this job so you'll be wearing protective gear quite often.

Your main responsibilities would include running tests on materials like tensile strength, density, elasticity, and temperature resistance, understanding blueprints and specifications for projects, determining if materials meet quality and safety standards, and documenting test results for review by project managers and engineers.

This job requires attention to detail and an understanding of construction standards. If you're interested in how things are built and enjoy hands-on work, becoming a Materials Tester could be a great career path for you.

Skills Required

Technical Skills

  • Knowledge of building materials
  • Ability to perform laboratory tests
  • Understanding of health and safety regulations
  • Scientific understanding of various materials' properties
  • Data recording and report making

Soft Skills

  • Analytical thinking
  • Detail-oriented
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Communication skills
  • Teamwork

Education and Training Requirements

Required Education

Licensing and Certification

State Requirements

Not required in most states

Salary and Job Outlook

How to Get Started