How much does a dental lab technician make?
a year · about $24 an hour
A typical dental lab technician in the United States makes $49,610 a year, about $24 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They read a dentist’s instructions and a tooth impression or digital scan, then build a crown, denture, or brace in a lab. They polish each piece and test its bite and fit.
Did you know? Dental labs can use 3D printers to make personalized crowns, bridges, dentures, and even surgical guides from digital images.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $36,660 and $76,940How do you become one?
In the U.S., a high-school diploma is usually enough to start, and technicians learn on the job; training often takes 1–12 months. State licensing rules vary, and optional CDT certification requires written and practical exams after qualifying education or experience.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like building and doing and figuring things out
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay can differ with experience, optional certification, and skills in specialties such as implants or digital design. Location, the kind of lab or employer, and hours worked can matter too.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Florida ($59,790), lowest in Alabama ($45,760).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
In Japan, a denture maker averages $30,575. Dental lab technician salary in Japan
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $36,660 | $49,610 | $76,940 | about 34,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | $59,790 | about 2,000 |
| Kansas | $56,790 | about 570 |
| Washington | $56,400 | about 670 |
| New York | $52,460 | about 2,000 |
| Virginia | $51,900 | about 1,000 |
Official definition: Construct and repair full or partial dentures or dental appliances. Excludes “Dental Assistants” (31-9091).
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/production/dental-and-ophthalmic-laboratory-technicians-and-medi
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2020/article/dental-careers.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/51-9081.00
- nbccert.org/sl_files/64F5CF7A-A888-5297-F3FF44533E71A521.pdf
- adanews.ada.org/ada-news/2022/june/digital-dentistry-what-to-know-about-a-few-po
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY