The median pay for Dental Laboratory Technicians is $49,610 a year ($23.85/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to fall 5.9% through 2035, with about 3,600 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 51-9081
- Production
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Dental Laboratory Technician in four numbers
- Median pay
- $49,610a year, or $23.85/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $37KTop 10% $77K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -5.9%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−5.9%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −5.9% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 3,60034,400 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202534.4K
- Projected 203532.3K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 34.4K Projected 2035 32.3K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school13.2%
- High school51.7%
- Certificate18.2%
- Some college7.4%
- Associate's1.9%
- Master's5.7%
Highest education held by dental laboratory technicians Segment Value Less than high school 13.2% High school 51.7% Certificate 18.2% Some college 7.4% Associate's 1.9% Master's 5.7%
Also advertised as: Ceramist, Crown and Bridge Dental Laboratory Technician (Crown and Bridge Dental Lab Tech), Dental Ceramist, Dental Laboratory Technician (Dental Lab Tech), Dental Technician (Dental Tech), Denture Technician (Denture Tech).
Pay
How much do Dental Laboratory Technicians make?
Every dental laboratory technician in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$49,610
Middle half earn $40,420 to $62,070
- 10th
- $36,660
- 25th
- $40,420
- 75th
- $62,070
- 90th
- $76,940
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $36,660 |
| 25th | $40,420 |
| Median | $49,610 |
| 75th | $62,070 |
| 90th | $76,940 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $49,610
- Median hourly wage
- $23.85/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $54,290
- People employed
- 34,410
Versus all US occupations
At $49,610, Dental Laboratory Technicians earn 3% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $1,370 a year.
Versus production occupations
Inside the Production group, where the middle occupation pays $48,030, this is 3% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $76,940 or more while the bottom 10% earn $36,660, a gap of 2.1×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 21% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
Massachusetts posts the highest raw median ($72,800), but once local prices are taken into account North Dakota leads at $75,968 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Dental Laboratory Technicians the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Massachusetts | $72,800 | $68,837 | 440 |
| 2North Dakota | $67,580 | $75,968 | 60 |
| 3Maine | $64,020 | $65,966 | 120 |
| 4Colorado | $61,220 | $59,407 | 410 |
| 5New Hampshire | $60,610 | $58,187 | 120 |
| 6Florida | $59,790 | $57,816 | 2,330 |
| 7Nebraska | $58,590 | $65,026 | 190 |
| 8Kansas | $56,790 | $63,052 | 570 |
| 9Washington | $56,400 | $52,704 | 670 |
| 10Minnesota | $56,090 | $56,874 | 390 |
Job outlook
Is Dental Laboratory Technician a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -5.9% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Dental Laboratory Technicians | −5.9% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Dental Laboratory Technicians to change -5.9% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 2,000 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 3,600 openings are projected each year, 10.5% of the 34,400 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, decline.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Projected employment of dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians varies by occupation (see table).
Demand for dental laboratory technicians is expected to decline as 3D printing and other laborsaving technologies are increasingly used to produce dental parts and appliances.
Getting in
How to become a Dental Laboratory Technician
To enter the occupation, dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians typically need at least a high school diploma or equivalent. They typically receive on-the-job training to attain competency.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Little or no preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as dental laboratory technicians.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)51.7%
- Post-Secondary Certificate18.2%
- Less than a High School Diploma13.2%
- Some College Courses7.4%
- Master's Degree5.7%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 51.7% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 18.2% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 13.2% |
| Some College Courses | 7.4% |
| Master's Degree | 5.7% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Dental Laboratory Technician do?
Construct and repair full or partial dentures or dental appliances.
Dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians make or repair dentures, eyeglasses, prosthetics, and related products.
Day-to-day tasks
- Fabricate, alter, or repair dental devices, such as dentures, crowns, bridges, inlays, or appliances for straightening teeth.
- 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.
- Place tooth models on an apparatus that mimics bite and movement of patient's jaw to evaluate functionality of model.
- Melt metals or mix plaster, porcelain, or acrylic pastes and pour materials into molds or over frameworks to form dental prostheses or apparatuses.
- Train or supervise other dental technicians or dental laboratory bench workers.
- Remove excess metal or porcelain and polish surfaces of prostheses or frameworks, using polishing machines.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians work full time, and schedules may vary.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeSeated for more than half the working day.
Standing
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension3.4
- Critical Thinking3.3
- Active Listening3.0
- Speaking3.0
- Active Learning3.0
- Monitoring3.0
- Writing2.9
- Learning Strategies2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 3.4 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.3 |
| Active Listening | 3.0 |
| Speaking | 3.0 |
| Active Learning | 3.0 |
| Monitoring | 3.0 |
| Writing | 2.9 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Time Management3.3
- Operations Monitoring3.1
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1
- Complex Problem Solving3.0
- Social Perceptiveness2.9
- Quality Control Analysis2.9
- Coordination2.8
- Instructing2.8
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Time Management | 3.3 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.1 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.0 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 2.9 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 2.9 |
| Coordination | 2.8 |
| Instructing | 2.8 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Accounting software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Calendar and scheduling software
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Graphics or photo imaging software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Dental Laboratory Technician?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Dental Laboratory Technician |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 4 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 3 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data.
- Realistic6.6
- Investigative4.5
- Conventional4.1
- Social2.7
- Artistic1.5
- Enterprising1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Dental Laboratory Technician
O*NET related occupations
- Production
- Healthcare Support
- Production
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Production
Molder, Shaper, and Caster, Except Metal and Plastic
$46,170median a year
Most earn $36K to $62K
+5.8%High school - Architecture and Engineering
More production careers
Median annual pay, with dental laboratory technicians highlighted
- Power Plant Operator$102,040
- Tool and Die Maker$64,050
- Machinist$58,750
- Welder$53,750
- Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter$51,330
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator$50,690
- Dental Laboratory Technician$49,610
- Butcher and Meat Cutter$40,140
- Baker$37,160
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Plant Operator | $102,040 |
| Tool and Die Maker | $64,050 |
| Machinist | $58,750 |
| Welder | $53,750 |
| Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter | $51,330 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $50,690 |
| Dental Laboratory Technician | $49,610 |
| Butcher and Meat Cutter | $40,140 |
| Baker | $37,160 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Dental Laboratory Technician appears on
Questions
Dental Laboratory Technician: frequently asked questions
How much do Dental Laboratory Technicians make?
Dental Laboratory Technicians earn a median of $49,610 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 3% below the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $23.85/hr. The middle half earn between $40,420 and $62,070. The top 10% earn $76,940 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Dental Laboratory Technician?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Dental Laboratory Technicians. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 51.7% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Dental Laboratory Technician a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 5.9% over 2025–2035, a loss of 2,000 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 3,600 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Dental Laboratory Technician do?
Dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians make or repair dentures, eyeglasses, prosthetics, and related products. A core O*NET task: fabricate, alter, or repair dental devices, such as dentures, crowns, bridges, inlays, or appliances for straightening teeth. Employers most often ask for Accounting software, Electronic mail software, Office suite software.
Which states pay Dental Laboratory Technicians the most?
The highest state medians for Dental Laboratory Technicians are Massachusetts ($72,800), North Dakota ($67,580), Maine ($64,020) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, North Dakota moves to the top at $75,968.
What personality type suits a Dental Laboratory Technician?
O*NET scores Dental Laboratory Technicians highest on the Realistic, Investigative and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.