Post job

What is a dental equipment technician and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a dental equipment technician. For example, did you know that they make an average of $24.66 an hour? That's $51,288 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 17% and produce 10,000 job opportunities across the U.S.
ScoreDental Equipment TechnicianUS Average
Salary
4.0

Avg. Salary $51,288

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
6.0

Growth rate 17%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
5.8
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.38%

Asian 5.18%

Black or African American 3.66%

Hispanic or Latino 11.49%

Unknown 2.78%

White 76.52%

Gender

female 2.00%

male 98.00%

Age - 45
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 45
Stress level
6.0

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
6.3

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance
6.9

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a dental equipment technician

  1. Explore dental equipment technician education requirements

    Most common dental equipment technician degrees

    Associate

    58.3 %

    High School Diploma

    12.5 %

    Bachelor's

    12.5 %
  2. Start to develop specific dental equipment technician skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Medical Equipment68.14%
    Sterilizers23.52%
    Parts Inventory8.33%
  3. Complete relevant dental equipment technician training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New dental equipment technicians learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a dental equipment technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real dental equipment technician resumes.
  4. Research dental equipment technician duties and responsibilities

    • Monitor all technician certifications and cross training.
    • Direct personnel in the implementation of OSHA regulations and inform them of any changes in microbiological control processes for effective sterilization.
    • Wax margins, opaque PFM, s and zirconium copings and create porcelain margins.
  5. Prepare your dental equipment technician resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your dental equipment technician resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a dental equipment technician resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable dental equipment technician resume templates

    Build a professional dental equipment technician resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your dental equipment technician resume.
    Dental Equipment Technician Resume
    Dental Equipment Technician Resume
    Dental Equipment Technician Resume
    Dental Equipment Technician Resume
    Dental Equipment Technician Resume
    Dental Equipment Technician Resume
    Dental Equipment Technician Resume
    Dental Equipment Technician Resume
    Dental Equipment Technician Resume
  6. Apply for dental equipment technician jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a dental equipment technician job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first dental equipment technician job

Zippi

Are you a dental equipment technician?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average dental equipment technician salary

The average dental equipment technician salary in the United States is $51,288 per year or $25 per hour. Dental equipment technician salaries range between $36,000 and $71,000 per year.

Average dental equipment technician salary
$51,288 Yearly
$24.66 hourly

What am I worth?

salary-calculator

How do dental equipment technicians rate their job?

Working as a dental equipment technician? Share your experience anonymously.
Overall rating*
Career growth
Work/Life balance
Pay/Salary

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse installation, maintenance and repair jobs