How much does a denture maker make in Japan?
Answer: The average denture maker in Japan makes $30,575 (¥4.59M) a year (monthly pay × 12 plus bonus, 2025, Japan's Basic Survey on Wage Structure).
Monthly pay $2,221 × 12 + bonus $3,927. Average age 41.6; about 8,000 people work in this job. About the same as the Japan-wide average ($33,720).
Denture maker pay in Japan (2025, averages by company size and sex)
| Company size | Everyone | Men | Women | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any size | $30,575 | $31,729 | $27,698 | 41.6 |
| Big company | $34,378 | $34,685 | $32,965 | 42.7 |
| Mid-size | $30,329 | $30,542 | $27,731 | 56.8 |
| Small company | $29,072 | $30,401 | $26,643 | 39.5 |
Why does pay differ?
In Japan, a national license is required; years of practice and specialist skills, such as digital design or implants, can affect pay, though extra certificates do not guarantee a raise. Pay can also differ by employer type and size, region, and hours or overtime.
What if you were…
In Japan, age and company size matter mostPick a company size, sex or age to see that group's average here.
How it changes with age
Tap an age to update the number above (Any company size, men and women combined)
How it changes with company size
What does a denture maker do?
What's a typical day like?
They read dentists’ orders, shape plaster models, then handcraft or digitally design and adjust crowns, dentures, or braces. They check each piece, clean tools, and send it to a clinic; tight deadlines can stretch the day.
How to get this job
After high school in Japan, complete at least two years at an approved dental technician school, college, or university and pass the national written and practical exam. Apply for the license; many start work around age 20, then train on the job.
Did you know?
In Japan, dental technicians may make more than teeth: some also craft epitheses, artificial body parts.
What about the US?
Nearly the same jobJapan's figure is the average and the US figure is the median. Prices and exchange rates matter too, so it's a rough comparison.
Similar jobs
Healthcare and welfare jobsEarn more in the same field
Healthcare and welfare jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: MHLW Basic Survey on Wage Structure 2025 (regular workers, by occupation) (e-Stat). Yearly pay = monthly contractual cash earnings × 12 + annual bonus. Averages for regular workers at firms with 10+ employees. Public employees (teachers, police, firefighters) and company executives are not in this survey. e-stat.go.jp
Pages used for the text
- shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/Occupation/Detail/165
- www.mhlw.go.jp/kouseiroudoushou/shikaku_shiken/shikagikoushi/index.html
- www.nichigi.or.jp/interested/guide
- www.guppy.jp/dt/og/%E6%AD%AF%E7%A7%91%E6%8A%80%E5%B7%A5%E5%A3%AB%E3%81%AE%E4%BB%
- www.guppy.jp/dt/og/%E6%AD%AF%E7%A7%91%E6%8A%80%E5%B7%A5%E5%A3%AB%E3%81%AE%E7%B5%
- iactor.co.jp/guide/dental-technician-salary
Data: MHLW Basic Survey on Wage Structure 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY