Occupations/51-9081.00
Dental Laboratory Technicians
Construct and repair full or partial dentures or dental appliances.
Usually a high school diploma, plus some experience or short training.
AI automation risk
62%
Mixed exposure
Human characteristics
55%
Balanced human and task mix
Task orientation
75%
Higher automation risk
A day in this job
- Mostly human
Train or supervise other dental technicians or dental laboratory bench workers.
- Mostly human
Place tooth models on an apparatus that mimics bite and movement of patient's jaw to evaluate functionality of model.
- Task
Read prescriptions or specifications and examine models or impressions to determine the design of dental products to be constructed.
The tasks we can read here lean on people, judgment, or hands-on work. The AI risk number is still this job’s rank against other occupations.
Core tasks
- 01Read prescriptions or specifications and examine models or impressions to determine the design of dental products to be constructed.
- 02Test appliances for conformance to specifications and accuracy of occlusion, using articulators and micrometers.
- 03Fabricate, alter, or repair dental devices, such as dentures, crowns, bridges, inlays, or appliances for straightening teeth.
- 04Place tooth models on an apparatus that mimics bite and movement of patient's jaw to evaluate functionality of model.
- 05Remove excess metal or porcelain and polish surfaces of prostheses or frameworks, using polishing machines.
- 06Train or supervise other dental technicians or dental laboratory bench workers.
Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)
- Repeating same tasks3.75
- Degree of automation1.97
- Time sitting4.44
- Originality (ability)2.62
- Conflict situations2.12
- Hands-on objects/tools4.72
- Outdoors / weather1.03
- Disease exposure3.64
- Decision freedom4.21
Top abilities
- Near Vision4.00
- Finger Dexterity4.00
- Control Precision3.88
- Arm-Hand Steadiness3.88
- Visualization3.62
- Problem Sensitivity3.38
- Information Ordering3.38
- Deductive Reasoning3.38
Essential skills
- Reading Comprehension3.38
- Active Listening3.00
- Writing2.88
- Speaking3.00
- Mathematics2.00
- Science2.12
- Critical Thinking3.25
- Active Learning3.00
- Learning Strategies2.88
- Monitoring3.00
CIP matches
Schools offering related programs
12 of 28 shown
Earnings are College Scorecard medians for that program, 1 and 2 years after completion. A dash means the Department suppressed the cell or the campus is not in the field file.
| Institution | Program | Tuition | Admit | Grad 6-yr | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit | Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician 51.0603 | $68,200 | 12% | 92% | 1 yr $73,446 2 yr $74,845 Bachelor's · CIP 51.06 |
Northern Virginia Community College Annandale, VA · Public | Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician 51.0603 | $5,700 | 100% | 35% | 1 yr $65,320 2 yr $69,757 Associate · CIP 51.06 |
Texas A & M University-College Station College Station, TX · Public | Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician 51.0603 | $13,200 | 63% | 83% | 1 yr $65,131 2 yr $57,995 Bachelor's · CIP 51.06 |
New York University New York, NY · Private nonprofit | Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician 51.0603 | $60,400 | 12% | 88% | 1 yr $62,409 2 yr $56,415 Associate · CIP 51.06 |
Minnesota State University-Mankato Mankato, MN · Public | Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician 51.0603 | $9,700 | 71% | 62% | 1 yr $60,485 2 yr $58,447 Bachelor's · CIP 51.06 |
Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, OH · Public | Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician 51.0603 | $12,800 | 53% | 83% | 1 yr $56,693 2 yr $56,068 Bachelor's · CIP 51.06 |
Georgia State University Atlanta, GA · Public | Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician 51.0603 | $9,200 | 67% | 56% | 1 yr $55,964 2 yr $50,439 Associate · CIP 51.06 |
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI · Public | Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician 51.0603 | $17,700 | 18% | 93% | 1 yr $54,948 2 yr $50,856 Bachelor's · CIP 51.06 |
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC · Public | Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician 51.0603 | $9,000 | 17% | 91% | 1 yr $54,656 2 yr $53,775 Bachelor's · CIP 51.06 |
Community College of Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA · Public | Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician 51.0603 | $5,200 | 100% | 21% | 1 yr — 2 yr $50,606 Certificate · CIP 51.06 |
Minnesota State University Moorhead Moorhead, MN · Public | Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician 51.0603 | $9,800 | 71% | 61% | 1 yr $48,041 2 yr $49,918 Associate · CIP 51.06 |
Century College White Bear Lake, MN · Public | Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician 51.0603 | $6,000 | 100% | 31% | 1 yr $42,123 2 yr $44,984 Associate · CIP 51.06 |