1

Material Testing Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

Construction Materials Lab Technician

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$18.75 - $25/hr

Will perform asphalt, soil, aggregate, concrete, and material testing primarily * Operate standard construction materials laboratory testing equipment * Perform analysis or calculations to check ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Material Testing information

See Arizona salary details

$8

$20

$29

How much do material testing jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for material testing in Arizona is $20.69, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.45 and $23.51 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is material testing?

Material testing is the process of evaluating the physical and mechanical properties of materials, such as metals, plastics, or composites, to determine their suitability for specific applications. This testing can include assessing strength, durability, hardness, flexibility, and resistance to various stresses. Material testing ensures that materials meet quality standards, safety regulations, and performance requirements in industries like construction, manufacturing, and aerospace. It helps prevent product failures and supports the development of safer, more reliable products.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a material testing technician?

To thrive as a Material Testing Technician, you need a solid understanding of material properties, laboratory testing procedures, and relevant industry standards, typically supported by a degree or certification in materials science or engineering. Familiarity with testing equipment such as universal testing machines, spectrometers, and data analysis software is essential. Attention to detail, problem-solving, and strong communication skills help ensure accuracy and effective reporting of results. These competencies are vital for maintaining quality control and ensuring materials meet safety and performance requirements in various industries.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in material testing, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in material testing often face challenges such as ensuring sample integrity, meeting tight deadlines, and interpreting complex test results accurately. Maintaining precise environmental conditions and following standardized procedures are crucial to avoid compromised data. Collaboration with engineers and quality assurance teams is common, requiring strong communication skills to translate test findings into actionable insights. Staying updated with new testing methodologies and industry standards also helps address these challenges and ensures reliable results.

What is the difference between Material Testing vs Material Inspection?

AspectMaterial TestingMaterial Inspection
CertificationsASTM, ACI, NDT certificationsVisual inspection certifications, NDT certifications
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, testing facilities, construction sitesConstruction sites, manufacturing plants, quality control labs
Primary FocusAssessing material properties and performanceVerifying material quality and compliance
Industry UsageConstruction, manufacturing, aerospaceConstruction, manufacturing, infrastructure projects

Material Testing involves analyzing material properties through laboratory tests to determine strength, durability, and performance. Material Inspection focuses on visually and non-destructively verifying that materials meet specified standards and quality requirements. Both roles are essential in ensuring safety and compliance in construction and manufacturing industries.

How do you become a material testing professional?

To become a material testing professional, individuals typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, followed by a degree or certification in materials science, engineering, or a related field. Gaining experience with testing methods, laboratory equipment, and safety protocols is essential, and some roles may require professional certifications such as NDT (Non-Destructive Testing) certifications or specific industry licenses.

Is construction material testing a good career?

Construction material testing is a stable career that involves evaluating the quality and safety of building materials using laboratory and field tests. It requires knowledge of materials, testing equipment, and safety protocols, often supported by certifications such as NICET or ASTM standards. The field offers steady employment opportunities in construction, engineering, and quality assurance sectors.
Infographic showing various Material Testing job openings in Arizona as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $43,036 per year, or $20.7 per hour.

Staff Engineer (EIT) -- Scottsdale, AZ

Scottsdale, AZ • On-site

Construction Material Testing
Civil Engineering Construction • 201 - 500 employees

$85K - $115K/yr

Other

Posted 7 days ago


Job description

Staff engineers get the full exposure this industry can offer: geotechnical investigations, materials testing programs, forensic assignments, and report writing under the supervision of licensed professional engineers. You will see the ground truth behind design assumptions on projects from building pads to heavy industrial programs.

Responsibilities:
  • Plan and observe drilling and field testing programs;
  • Reduce and review laboratory data;
  • draft geotechnical and materials reports;
  • Support forensic investigations, coring programs, and distress evaluations;
  • Coordinate field crews and laboratory scheduling on assigned projects;
  • Progress toward PE licensure with mentorship and exam support.
Qualifications:
  • BS in Civil Engineering or related;
  • EIT certificate or exam scheduled;
  • Field-willing: real projects, real dirt, real weather;
  • Clear technical writing;
  • Interest in geotechnical, materials, or forensic practice.
What a week in this job looks like:

One week you are logging borings behind a drill rig and hand‑classifying samples; the next you are reducing consolidation data, drafting a geotechnical report, or standing on a distressed slab with a senior engineer working out why it moved. Staff engineers here rotate through geotechnical investigation, materials programs, and forensic assignments deliberately, because engineers who have touched all three make better calls for the rest of their careers. You will write constantly, and your writing will be edited hard by licensed engineers who care that a recommendation says exactly what the data supports, no more and no less. There is also the unglamorous middle of engineering that no classroom teaches: coordinating a drill crew and a landowner, chasing a utility locate, deciding whether a boring can shift ten feet without breaking the investigation. You will learn to make those calls, document them, and move.

Licensure, mentorship, and where this leads:

This role is built around your path to the PE. You work under licensed professional engineers who review your work and sign what you grow into, your experience record is structured with licensure in mind, and exam support is part of the deal. EIT certification in hand or an exam date scheduled is where we expect you to start. From licensure the paths open: project engineer on geotechnical programs, materials engineering and laboratory direction, or the forensic practice, where engineering judgment meets evidence and occasionally a courtroom.

Pay, schedule, and travel:

Salary runs $85,000 to $115,000 depending on experience and progress toward licensure. The schedule mixes office and field unevenly, drilling programs and big pours do not respect calendars, but field time is the point at this stage, not a burden. Texas-based engineers work from the Sugar Land hub across active programs; project deployments to major industrial sites are defined‑scope assignments with terms set before travel, and they are the fastest experience accumulator this industry offers.

Safety, quality, and the standards we work under:

You will work inside a documented quality system, on active construction sites and drill rigs, with the training, PPE, and pre-task discipline that implies. Report review is layered and real: data, analysis, and language all get checked before anything carries the company's name. You will also learn the professional side of caution early, what a recommendation commits, what a seal means, and why the engineers you respect say less and support it better.

How hiring works, and our commitment:

Expect a technical conversation with a licensed engineer, not a personality quiz, and a clear offer. The role requires field capability on construction sites and drilling operations, a valid driver's license, and pre-employment screening consistent with jobsite requirements. We are an equal opportunity employer and consider every applicant without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status.

#J-18808-Ljbffr