All careers › Dental Laboratory Technicians
Dental technician: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $36,660lowest 10% earn less
- $40,42025th percentile
- $49,610median
- $62,07075th percentile
- $76,940top 10% earn more
Dental laboratory technicians earned a median of $49,610 a year in May 2025[1]. Entry typically needs a high school diploma and on-the-job training, and BLS projects employment to fall 5.9% from 2025 to 2035[2][3].
- Job growth, 2025–35
- -5.9%[3]
- Openings per year
- 3,600[6]
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent[2]
How much do dental technicians make?
The median wage for dental laboratory technicians was $49,610 a year, or $23.85 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The mean (average) wage was $54,290 a year, or $26.10 an hour[7]. The median for all occupations in the US was $50,980 a year[5].
Pay spreads widely. These are the percentile wages:
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th[4][8] | $36,660 | $17.62 |
| 25th[4][8] | $40,420 | $19.43 |
| 75th[4][8] | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| 90th[4][8] | $76,940 | $36.99 |
The lowest-paid 10% of workers earned less than $36,660[4][9]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9].
These wages cover full-time and part-time workers paid a wage or salary. They leave out self-employed people and do not include nonproduction bonuses or the cost of benefits such as health insurance[10]. About 34,410 people held these jobs in May 2025[11].
Pay by state and city
Massachusetts had the highest state median at $72,800, followed by North Dakota at $67,580 and Maine at $64,020[12]. Some of these states have few jobs, with 440 in Massachusetts, 60 in North Dakota and 120 in Maine[12]. South Carolina was last on the list at $37,170[12].
The most jobs were in California (4,480), Florida (2,330) and Illinois (2,030)[13].
Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL had the highest median at $78,010[14]. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH followed at $75,480, then North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL at $61,360[14]. The Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim area had the most jobs, at 2,710, with a median of $46,460[15].
Show median pay in 46 states
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts[12] | $72,800 | 440 |
| North Dakota | $67,580 | 60 |
| Maine | $64,020 | 120 |
| Colorado | $61,220 | 410 |
| New Hampshire | $60,610 | 120 |
| Florida | $59,790 | 2,330 |
| Nebraska | $58,590 | 190 |
| Kansas | $56,790 | 570 |
| Washington | $56,400 | 670 |
| Minnesota | $56,090 | 390 |
| New York | $52,460 | 1,890 |
| Virginia | $51,900 | 1,050 |
| Illinois | $51,380 | 2,030 |
| Arkansas | $49,960 | 840 |
| Indiana | $49,920 | 680 |
| North Carolina | $49,700 | 990 |
| Michigan | $49,570 | 1,180 |
| Georgia | $49,310 | 1,460 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,280 | 930 |
| Tennessee | $48,880 | 610 |
| Oregon | $48,800 | 570 |
| Oklahoma | $48,670 | 250 |
| Ohio | $48,480 | 1,160 |
| South Dakota | $48,370 | 120 |
| Nevada | $48,190 | 200 |
| Arizona | $47,930 | 950 |
| Maryland | $47,850 | 590 |
| Mississippi | $47,770 | 140 |
| West Virginia | $47,740 | n/a |
| Montana | $47,560 | 110 |
| Iowa | $47,520 | 380 |
| California | $47,410 | 4,480 |
| Idaho | $47,380 | 370 |
| New Jersey | $47,270 | 780 |
| Wisconsin | $47,170 | 800 |
| Utah | $47,110 | 1,300 |
| Missouri | $46,870 | 740 |
| Kentucky | $46,770 | 420 |
| Texas | $46,330 | 1,770 |
| Alabama | $45,760 | 1,050 |
| Rhode Island | $45,320 | n/a |
| Hawaii | $45,300 | 120 |
| New Mexico | $45,300 | 130 |
| Delaware | $38,500 | n/a |
| Louisiana | $38,490 | 330 |
| South Carolina | $37,170 | 260 |
How to become a dental technician
The training details below come from a BLS profile that covers dental laboratory technicians together with other related occupations[16].
- First: get a high school diploma or an equivalent. That is the typical education for entry, and no related work experience is needed[2][17]. High school classes in science, mathematics and art may help[18].
- Next: learn on the job. Training is moderate-term[2]. Workers may begin as helpers, then take on harder work. A dental technician may start by making models from impressions and later design crowns and bridges[19].
- Then: consider more education or certification. Employers may prefer candidates with a postsecondary certificate or associate's degree, and some community colleges and technical schools offer programs[20]. Certification is optional. It may show skill and open more chances to advance[21].
In an O*NET survey of 24 workers, 52% said a high school diploma or equivalent is required, and 18% said a post-secondary certificate[22].
With experience in a large facility, technicians may reach a supervisory level and train new technicians. Some go on to own a laboratory[23].
What dental technicians do
O*NET describes the job as making and repairing full or partial dentures and dental appliances[24]. Common tasks include:
- Reading prescriptions and studying models or impressions to decide how a dental product should be designed[25].
- Making, changing or repairing dentures, crowns, bridges, inlays and appliances for straightening teeth[25].
- Testing finished appliances for accuracy against the specifications[25].
- Mixing plaster, porcelain or acrylic and melting metals to form the products[25].
- Applying porcelain paste or wax over frameworks with brushes and spatulas[25].
- Polishing surfaces and removing extra metal or porcelain[25].
- Training or supervising other technicians or bench workers[25].
BLS lists detail focus, manual dexterity and technical skills among the important qualities for the wider group[26][27][28].
Where they work
For the wider group in the BLS profile, medical equipment and supplies manufacturing was the largest employer, at 61% of jobs in 2025[16][29]. Technicians may face health and safety hazards from some materials, and they typically wear protective gear such as goggles, gloves or masks. They may spend a lot of time standing or bending[30]. Most in the wider group work full time, and schedules may vary[31]. About 1% of dental laboratory technicians were self-employed in 2025[32].
Job outlook
BLS projects employment to fall 5.9% from 2025 to 2035, from about 34,400 to 32,300 jobs[3]. For all occupations, BLS projects growth of 3.5%[33].
Jobs still open up. BLS projects about 3,600 openings a year on average from 2025 to 2035[6]. Openings include jobs left by people who retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 5.1% of workers leave the labor force and 6.3% move to a different occupation[34].
Is it a good fit?
The typical path has a low barrier to entry: a high school diploma, no related experience and moderate-term on-the-job training[2]. Median pay is close to the all-occupations median, and the 90th percentile reached $76,940[1][5][4]. Employment is projected to shrink 5.9%, yet about 3,600 openings a year are expected[3][6]. The work is hands-on and detail-heavy, and the profile for the wider group notes precision and material hazards[26][27][30].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a dental technician make an hour?
- The median was $23.85 an hour in May 2025, and the mean was $26.10[1][7]. The 10th percentile was $17.62 and the 90th was $36.99[8].
- What education do you need to be a dental technician?
- A high school diploma or equivalent is the typical entry education, with no related work experience needed[2]. Some employers may prefer a postsecondary certificate or associate's degree[20].
- Is dental technician in demand?
- BLS projects a 5.9% decline from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% growth for all occupations[3][33]. About 3,600 openings a year are still projected[6].
- What is the highest paying state for dental technicians?
- Massachusetts had the highest median, at $72,800, based on 440 jobs[12].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Dental Laboratory Technicians in the US was $49,610 per year and $23.85 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Dental Laboratory Technicians: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Dental Laboratory Technicians is projected to decline 5.9% from 2025 to 2035, from about 34,400 to 32,300 jobs (a change of -2,000). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Dental Laboratory Technicians: 10th percentile $36,660, 25th percentile $40,420, 75th percentile $62,070, 90th percentile $76,940. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: about 3,600 openings for Dental Laboratory Technicians are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Dental Laboratory Technicians was $54,290 per year and $26.10 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Dental Laboratory Technicians: 10th percentile $17.62, 25th percentile $19.43, 75th percentile $29.84, 90th percentile $36.99. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 34,410 people were employed as Dental Laboratory Technicians in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage for Dental Laboratory Technicians in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Dental Laboratory Technicians jobs: California 4,480; Florida 2,330; Illinois 2,030; New York 1,890; Texas 1,770. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Dental Laboratory Technicians (areas with at least 100 jobs): Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL $78,010; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $75,480; North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL $61,360; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $61,250; Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $61,220; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $60,940; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $60,510; Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $59,940. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Dental Laboratory Technicians jobs: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 2,710 (median $46,460); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 1,440 (median $51,380); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 1,400 (median $58,160); Salt Lake City-Murray, UT 710 (median $47,110); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 690 (median $50,700); Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ 690 (median $49,260). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Dental and Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians and Medical Appliance Technicians" covers Dental Laboratory Technicians together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET 51-9081.00 survey of workers (24 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 52%, Post-Secondary Certificate 18%, Less than a High School Diploma 13%, Some College Courses 7%, Master's Degree 6% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET description of Dental Laboratory Technicians. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Dental Laboratory Technicians. O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians in 2025: Medical equipment and supplies manufacturing 61%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections: 1% of Dental Laboratory Technicians were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Dental Laboratory Technicians: 5.1% of workers leave the labor force each year and 6.3% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.