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Dental Laboratory Technicians

Construct and repair full or partial dentures or dental appliances.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Dental Laboratory Technicians
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Median pay

$48,310
Median annual pay for Dental Laboratory Technicians.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

-4.7%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

3,900
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

35,200
Estimated U.S. employment for Dental Laboratory Technicians in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

-1,600
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical additional preparation: Moderate-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Reading Comprehension
  2. 2Critical Thinking
  3. 3Active Learning
  4. 4Active Listening
  5. 5Monitoring
  6. 6Speaking

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Administration and Management
  2. 2Design
  3. 3English Language
  4. 4Medicine and Dentistry
  5. 5Production and Processing
  6. 6Education and Training

Abilities

  1. 1Finger Dexterity
  2. 2Near Vision
  3. 3Arm-Hand Steadiness
  4. 4Control Precision
  5. 5Visualization
  6. 6Deductive Reasoning

Career interests

  1. 1Realistic
  2. 2Investigative
  3. 3Conventional
  4. 4Social
  5. 5Artistic
  6. 6Enterprising

Work styles

  1. 1Attention to Detail
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Cautiousness
  4. 4Achievement Orientation
  5. 5Integrity
  6. 6Perseverance

Work activities

  1. 1Thinking Creatively
  2. 2Getting Information
  3. 3Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  4. 4Processing Information
  5. 5Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
  6. 6Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Work context

  1. 1Time Pressure
  2. 2Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
  3. 3Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  4. 4Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
  5. 5Exposed to Contaminants
  6. 6Spend Time Sitting

Representative tasks

  • Read prescriptions or specifications and examine models or impressions to determine the design of dental products to be constructed.
  • Test appliances for conformance to specifications and accuracy of occlusion, using articulators and micrometers.
  • Fabricate, alter, or repair dental devices, such as dentures, crowns, bridges, inlays, or appliances for straightening teeth.
  • Place tooth models on an apparatus that mimics bite and movement of patient's jaw to evaluate functionality of model.
  • Remove excess metal or porcelain and polish surfaces of prostheses or frameworks, using polishing machines.
  • Train or supervise other dental technicians or dental laboratory bench workers.
  • Melt metals or mix plaster, porcelain, or acrylic pastes and pour materials into molds or over frameworks to form dental prostheses or apparatuses.
  • Prepare metal surfaces for bonding with porcelain to create artificial teeth, using small hand tools.

Software and tools

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Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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