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Manufacturing51-9081.00Specialization

Dental Laboratory Technicians

Construct and repair full or partial dentures or dental appliances.

$47,690
Median Pay
Less than 6 months
Training
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In Transition
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Career Overview Video

AI Impact Assessment

AI Resilience Score

Score 2/6: low AI task exposure, declining job demand, limited human advantage indicates this career is being transformed by AI

🟠In Transition

How we calculated this:

AI Exposure
Low+2

4% of tasks can be accelerated by AI

Job Growth
Declining+0

-5% projected (2024-2034)

Human Advantage
Weak+0

EPOCH score: 9/25

Total Score2/6
Methodology: v2.0 - GPTs are GPTs / BLS / EPOCH Additive ScoringUpdated: 2026-01-09
View full methodology →

Key Responsibilities

  • 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.

Education & Training

Typical Entry Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Time to Job Ready

0-1 years

Based on Job Zone 2. For formal education duration only, see education_duration.

Technology Skills

Dental CAD/CAM software3D scanning softwareMicrosoft ExcelLab management softwareInventory systemsAccounting software (QuickBooks)

Key Abilities

Finger DexterityNear VisionArm-Hand SteadinessControl PrecisionVisualizationProblem SensitivityDeductive ReasoningInformation OrderingWritten ComprehensionSelective Attention

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Compensation Details

$33,940
10th Percentile
$47,690
Median
$77,460
90th Percentile

Based on 34,190 employed workers

Also Known As

Bridge TechnicianCAD Tech (Computer-Aided Design Technician)CAM Tech (Computer-Aided Manufacturing Technician)CeramistCertified Dental Technologist (CDT)Crown and Bridge Dental Laboratory Technician (Crown and Bridge Dental Lab Tech)Crown and Bridge Technician (Crown and Bridge Tech)Crown CeramistDental Appliance FixerDental Appliance Mechanic

Data from O*NET 30.1 and BLS Occupational Employment Statistics

O*NET Code: 51-9081.00