Dental Laboratory Technicians

Construct and repair full or partial dentures or dental appliances.

What you'd actually do

• 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.

How you get there

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma. Overall preparation: some preparation (Job Zone 2 of 5).

The feel of the work

The work is mostly indoors; much of the day is spent working solo; time pressure is a real part of the job; precision matters — small details carry weight. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)

Working for yourself

About 4% of dental laboratory technicians are self-employed.

Who it tends to fit

This work tends to fit people who are hands-on, analytical and organized and detail-focused.

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Quick questions

How much does a dental laboratory technician make?

The median pay is $23.85 per hour — roughly $49,500 a year, with the real range running from about $17.62/hr (10th percentile) to $36.99/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do you need a degree to be a dental laboratory technician?

The typical entry-level education is: High school diploma. Overall preparation level: some preparation (Job Zone 2 of 5).

What does a dental laboratory technician actually do all 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.