Dentist
Diagnose and treat problems with teeth, gums and the mouth.
- $170,950
- 8 years after high school
Healthcare career
Dental Lab Technician
Also called: Dental Technician · Dental Ceramist · CAD/CAM Dental Technician · Denture Technician
What dental lab technicians do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a dental lab technician do?
Dental laboratory technicians make crowns, bridges, dentures and other dental appliances from impressions and digital scans provided by dentists. The median pay is $49,610 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 1–2 years, and employment is projected to grow -5.9% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$49,610$23.85/hour · May 2025
- Job growth-5.9%2025–35, a projected decline
- Openings per year3,600Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to train1–2 yearsTypical program length
- U.S. jobs34,400Employment, 2025
What dental lab technicians do
Dental lab technicians build the teeth dentists place. They pour models from impressions or work from digital scans, design restorations with CAD software, mill or 3D print crowns, layer porcelain, set denture teeth and finish appliances to precise specifications.
Most learn on the job, and some complete dental technology programs. Certification as a CDT shows skill. Digital dentistry is changing the work rapidly.
Typical duties
- Read prescriptions from dentists
- Pour and trim models
- Design restorations with CAD software
- Mill or 3D print crowns
- Layer and stain porcelain
- Set and finish dentures
- Check fit and quality
Work environment and schedule
Technicians work in dental labs, dental offices and some manufacturing facilities.
Schedule: Most work full-time weekday hours, sometimes with deadline overtime.
A day in the life
- Review new cases.
- Design crowns in CAD software.
- Load the milling machine.
- Stain and glaze zirconia crowns.
See a full day in the life of a dental lab technician →
Dental Lab Technician salary
Half of dental lab technicians earned more than $49,610 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $36,660 for the lowest 10% to $76,940 for the top 10%.
Full dental lab technician pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a dental lab technician
- Get hired as a trainee
- Learn materials
- Learn digital design
- Earn CDT
- Advance
A high school diploma plus moderate on-the-job training is typical; some complete dental technology programs.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a dental lab technician →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- CAD/CAM design
- Model work
- Porcelain layering
- Denture setup
- Milling and printing
People skills
- Patience
- Artistic eye
- Precision
- Focus
All dental lab technician skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Artistic, technical work
- Regular hours
- Digital technology
- Little patient contact
Cons
- Employment projected to decline
- Deadline pressure
- Repetitive fine work
- Dust and chemicals
Certifications and licenses
- Certified Dental Technician (CDT): National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology.
- Recognized Graduate: Entry-level recognition.
- CAD/CAM manufacturer training: Software skills.
- State registration: Required in a few states.
Career path
- Lab Trainee: Model work.
- Dental Technician: Restorations.
- Specialist (Ceramist or CAD): Advanced work.
- Lab Manager or Owner: Run a lab.
Learn the job before day one
Our Dental Lab Technician training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as design a crown in CAD and stain and glaze a crown, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Prosthodontist
Restore and replace teeth with crowns, bridges, dentures and implants.
- $311,180
- 11 years after high school
Dental Assistant
Prepare patients, assist the dentist chairside, take X-rays and sterilize instruments.
- $48,070
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Medical Appliance Technician
Build braces, artificial limbs and other medical devices.
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Compare: Dental Lab Tech vs. Dentist · Dental Lab Tech vs. Prosthodontist · Dental Lab Tech vs. Dental Assistant · Dental Lab Tech vs. O&P Technician
Dental Lab Technician FAQ
Do dental lab techs need a degree?
Not usually; most train on the job.
Is digital dentistry changing the job?
Yes, CAD/CAM and 3D printing are now central.
Is the field growing?
BLS projects a decline, but skilled digital techs remain in demand.
How much does a dental lab technician make?
The median annual wage for dental lab technicians was $49,610 ($23.85 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $36,660 and the highest 10% earned more than $76,940.
How long does it take to become a dental lab technician?
Most people need about 1–2 years of training. A high school diploma plus moderate on-the-job training is typical; some complete dental technology programs.
Do you need a degree to be a dental lab technician?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
More dental lab technician questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 51-9081 (Dental laboratory technicians).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Dental laboratory technicians (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.