What is the salary of a Dental Laboratory Technician?

The typical salary range is $33,817 - $67,634 per year.

Supply Chain & ProductionDeclining

Dental Laboratory Technician

Operational-level

Also known as: Bridge Technician, CAD Tech (Computer-Aided Design Technician), CAM Tech (Computer-Aided Manufacturing Technician), Ceramist

Supply Chain & ProductionBachelor's Degree

Job Description

Construct and repair full or partial dentures or dental appliances.

Dental TechnologyDental ProstheticsDenture FabricationMedical Device ManufacturingHealthcareProductionMaterials ScienceTechnicalManufacturingSkilled Trade

Skills employers are looking for in 2027

Software and technologies flagged by O*NET as Hot or In-Demand for this role.

Hot technologies

Intuit QuickBooks Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Windows Microsoft Word

Job Outlook 2025-2035

Projected growth

-5.9%

US average: +3.5%

Job openings

3,600

per year (US)

Jobs today

34,400

in 2025 → 32,300 (2035)

Typical entry education

High school diploma or equivalent

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections; O*NET Bright Outlook. Read the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook

Work Environment

How this work is typically performed, based on O*NET work context data.

Email & digital communication

Moderate

Working in a team

High

Contact with others

Moderate

Freedom to make decisions

High

Time pressure

High

Time spent sitting

High

Working outdoors

Low

Indoor, climate-controlled

High

Dealing with customers

Moderate

Level of competition

Moderate

Source: O*NET Work Context (v31.0)

Future Perspective

Declining Job Market

This field is experiencing contraction with decreasing job opportunities. Consider developing skills in related growing fields.

Career ladder

Often before this role

Assistant de laboratoire dentaire
Prothésiste dentaire débutant
Technicien de fabrication d'appareils médicaux

Dental Laboratory Technician

Where it can lead

Technicien supérieur de laboratoire dentaire
Spécialiste CAO/FAO dentaire
Chef de laboratoire dentaire

Impact of AI on this Job

AI and automation are set to significantly impact dental laboratory technicians in the next 5-10 years. CAD/CAM technologies, AI-driven design software, and 3D printing will streamline the creation of prosthetics, making processes faster and more precise. Technicians will likely shift from purely manual fabrication to overseeing automated systems, troubleshooting, and handling highly complex or customized cases that require unique human expertise.

Salary

$49,610

Median annual wage, BLS 2025

Required Education

Bachelor's Degree

Minimum educational requirement for this position