Dental Laboratory Technicians
Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed
Construct and repair full or partial dentures or dental appliances.
Median pay: $49,610/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: -4.7% projected growth, 2024–2034 — declining.
About 3,900 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• 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.
What's the median pay for Dental Laboratory Technicians?
The median pay for Dental Laboratory Technicians is $49,610 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Dental Laboratory Technicians?
Employment for Dental Laboratory Technicians is projected to change -4.7% from 2024 to 2034 - declining.
What education is typically required for Dental Laboratory Technicians?
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
How many job openings are there each year for Dental Laboratory Technicians?
About 3,900 openings per year, on average, over the decade.