Dental Laboratory Technicians

Construct and repair full or partial dentures or dental appliances.

Also called: Ceramist, Crown and Bridge Dental Laboratory Technician (Crown and Bridge Dental Lab Tech), Dental Ceramist, Dental Laboratory Technician (Dental Lab Tech), Dental Technician (Dental Tech), Denture Technician (Denture Tech), Metal Finisher, Orthodontic Laboratory Technician (Ortho Lab Tech), Porcelain Technician (Porcelain Tech), Waxer, Bridge Technician, CAD Tech (Computer-Aided Design Technician), CAM Tech (Computer-Aided Manufacturing Technician), Certified Dental Technologist (CDT), Crown and Bridge Technician (Crown and Bridge Tech), Crown Ceramist, Dental Appliance Fixer, Dental Appliance Mechanic, Dental Appliance Repairer, Dental Ceramist Assistant, Dental Equipment Installer and Servicer, Dental Instrument Maker, Dental Laboratory Worker (Dental Lab Worker), Dental Mechanic, Dental Mold Maker, Dental Technologist, Denture Contour Wire Specialist, Denture Finisher, Denture Laboratory Technician (Denture Lab Tech), Denture Waxer, Lab Processor (Laboratory Processor), Laboratory Technician (Lab Tech), Metal Room Dental Technician (Metal Room Dental Tech), Model and Dye Person, Model Technician (Model Tech), Orthodontic Band Maker (Ortho Band Maker), Orthodontic Technician (Ortho Tech), Orthotic and Prosthetic Technician (Orthotic and Prosthetic Tech), Orthotic Prosthetic Technician (Orthotic Prosthetic Tech), Porcelain Finisher, Sterile Technician (Sterile Tech)

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

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.
Melt metals or mix plaster, porcelain, or acrylic pastes and pour materials into molds or over frameworks to form dental prostheses or apparatuses.

Skills, machines and equipment

Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Time Management
Operations Monitoring
Judgment and Decision Making
Active Listening
Speaking
Active Learning
Monitoring
Complex Problem Solving
Writing
Learning Strategies

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (51.74% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. 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. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

40,420–62,070 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 51-9081.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Develop reliable production, safety, quality, and equipment skills; explore additional processes, senior specialist, or team-lead responsibilities relevant to your workplace.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (51.74% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. 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. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Dental Laboratory Technicians