Dental Laboratory Technicians

SOC code 51-9081 · O*NET-SOC 51-9081.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Manufacturing and production

Dental Laboratory Technicians pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$49,610

a year

Hourly

$23.85

per hour

10th$36,660Median$49,61090th$76,940

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$54,290

$26.10 per hour

Middle 50%

$40,420 – $62,070

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$36,660 – $76,940

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

34,410

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $36,660; $17.62/hr
25th percentile: $40,420; $19.43/hr
Median percentile: $49,610; $23.85/hr
75th percentile: $62,070; $29.84/hr
90th percentile: $76,940; $36.99/hr

What does a dental laboratory technician do?

Construct and repair full or partial dentures or dental appliances.

The tasks that matter most day to day

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.
Prepare metal surfaces for bonding with porcelain to create artificial teeth, using small hand tools.
Rebuild or replace linings, wire sections, or missing teeth to repair dentures.
Place tooth models on an apparatus that mimics bite and movement of patient's jaw to evaluate functionality of model.
Apply porcelain paste or wax over prosthesis frameworks or setups, using brushes and spatulas.
Remove excess metal or porcelain and polish surfaces of prostheses or frameworks, using polishing machines.

How to become a dental laboratory technician

Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 52% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed

Education: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Training: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

See all zone 2 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)52%
Post-Secondary Certificate18%
Less than a High School Diploma13%
Some College Courses7%

Common questions

How much does a dental laboratory technician earn?

The national median is $49,610 a year. The full range runs from $36,660 at the 10th percentile to $76,940 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become a dental laboratory technician without a degree?

Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Reading Comprehension3.4/5
Critical Thinking3.3/5
Active Listening3.0/5
Speaking3.0/5
Active Learning3.0/5
Monitoring3.0/5

Knowledge areas

Administration and Management3.8/5
Design3.8/5
English Language3.6/5
Medicine and Dentistry3.6/5
Production and Processing3.5/5
Education and Training3.5/5
Customer and Personal Service3.4/5
Mechanical3.2/5

Transferable strengths: Time Management, Operations Monitoring, Judgment and Decision Making, Complex Problem Solving.