Construct and repair full or partial dentures or dental appliances.
Dental Laboratory Technicians
SOC: 51-9081 O*NET: 51-9081.00
Median Salary
$48,310
per year
Job Growth
📉 -4.7%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
3.9
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Construct and repair full or partial dentures or dental appliances.
What does a Dental Laboratory Technicians do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$36,100
10th percentile
Early Career
$39,250
25th percentile
Median
$48,310
50th percentile
Experienced
$62,320
75th percentile
Top Earners
$78,680
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$36,100
25th
$39,250
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$48,310
Mean: $54,060
75th
$62,320
90th
$78,680
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $42,580 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $39,250 and $62,320
- •Salary spread is 47.8% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 33,920 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:35,200
Top Industries
Manufacturing85.7%
Miscellaneous Manufacturing85.7%
Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing85.6%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-4.7%
Annual Openings:3,900
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)35,200
Current
2034 (Projected)33,600
-4.7%
-1,600
Employment Change
-4.7%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Dental Laboratory Technicians professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 49 locations
California
3,950 jobs$48,4800.99x
Florida
2,170 jobs$56,9101.01x
New York
2,130 jobs$54,1401.01x
Texas
1,690 jobs$41,9000.55x
Illinois
1,440 jobs$50,5001.08x
Georgia
1,380 jobs$48,4401.29x
Michigan
1,290 jobs$48,7201.34x
Utah
1,170 jobs$45,7703.11x
Ohio
1,110 jobs$48,2500.91x
Pennsylvania
1,100 jobs$49,7500.83x
Alabama
1,090 jobs$40,9802.37x
Virginia
1,020 jobs$48,5101.14x
Missouri
1,000 jobs$46,9001.56x
New Jersey
940 jobs$48,7801.01x
Arizona
930 jobs$47,5601.33x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Reading Comprehension
100%
#2
Time Management
94%
#3
Critical Thinking
86%
#4
Operations Monitoring
80%
#5
Judgment and Decision Making
74%
#6
Active Listening
66%
#7
Active Learning
60%
#8
Monitoring
54%
#9
Speaking
46%
#10
Complex Problem Solving
40%
Skills Overview
Reading Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Time Management
advanced4.7
94%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.3
86%
Operations Monitoring
intermediate4.0
80%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.7
74%
Active Listening
intermediate3.3
66%
Active Learning
intermediate3.0
60%
Monitoring
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Time Management
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Operations Monitoring
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Active Learning
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Speaking
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Upholsterers90%
5 shared skills
Agricultural Inspectors82%
5 shared skills
Air Traffic Controllers82%
5 shared skills
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers82%
5 shared skills
Commercial Pilots82%
5 shared skills
Desktop Publishers82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Time Management
Learn on the Job:
- →Active Listening
- →Monitoring
- →Active Learning
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Time Management
- ✓Reading Comprehension
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Judgment and Decision Making
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Dental Laboratory Technicians
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Intuit QuickBooks
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Intuit QuickBooks
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
17
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Planning & Development (1)General Responsibilities (12)Analysis & Evaluation (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Management & Supervision (1)
1
Read prescriptions or specifications and examine models or impressions to determine the design of dental products to be constructed.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development100% perform100%
2
Fabricate, alter, or repair dental devices, such as dentures, crowns, bridges, inlays, or appliances for straightening teeth.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Test appliances for conformance to specifications and accuracy of occlusion, using articulators and micrometers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Place tooth models on an apparatus that mimics bite and movement of patient's jaw to evaluate functionality of model.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation91% perform94%
5
Melt metals or mix plaster, porcelain, or acrylic pastes and pour materials into molds or over frameworks to form dental prostheses or apparatuses.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Prepare metal surfaces for bonding with porcelain to create artificial teeth, using small hand tools.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping85% perform90%
7
Remove excess metal or porcelain and polish surfaces of prostheses or frameworks, using polishing machines.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Create a model of patient's mouth by pouring plaster into a dental impression and allowing plaster to set.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Load newly constructed teeth into porcelain furnaces to bake the porcelain onto the metal framework.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Build and shape wax teeth, using small hand instruments and information from observations or dentists' specifications.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on planning & development activities
- •41% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Dental Laboratory Technicians
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Dental Laboratory Technicians professionals typically have a RIC Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
IInvestigative
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Dental Laboratory Technicians
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.77
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.47
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.29
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.26
Achievement/Effort
Very ImportantAchievement/Effort
Importance Level4.25
Persistence
Very ImportantPersistence
Importance Level4.22
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.8
Dependability
4.5
Integrity
4.3
Initiative
4.3
Achievement/Effort
4.3
Persistence
4.2
Cooperation
4.1
Stress Tolerance
4.0
Analytical Thinking
4.0
Self-Control
4.0
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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