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Dental technician vs dental laboratory worker

The differences between dental technicians and dental laboratory workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a dental technician and a dental laboratory worker. Additionally, a dental laboratory worker has an average salary of $72,997, which is higher than the $68,232 average annual salary of a dental technician.

The top three skills for a dental technician include patients, dentures and dental care. The most important skills for a dental laboratory worker are dentures, mouth guards, and .

Dental technician vs dental laboratory worker overview

Dental TechnicianDental Laboratory Worker
Yearly salary$68,232$72,997
Hourly rate$32.80$35.09
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs45,53679,089
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 28%Bachelor's Degree, 30%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

Dental technician vs dental laboratory worker salary

Dental technicians and dental laboratory workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Dental TechnicianDental Laboratory Worker
Average salary$68,232$72,997
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $115,000Between $52,000 And $101,000
Highest paying CityColumbia, MD-
Highest paying stateMaryland-
Best paying companyPrivate Practice-
Best paying industryHealth Care-

Differences between dental technician and dental laboratory worker education

There are a few differences between a dental technician and a dental laboratory worker in terms of educational background:

Dental TechnicianDental Laboratory Worker
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 28%Bachelor's Degree, 30%
Most common majorDental AssistingDental Assisting
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California

Dental technician vs dental laboratory worker demographics

Here are the differences between dental technicians' and dental laboratory workers' demographics:

Dental TechnicianDental Laboratory Worker
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 51.6% Female, 48.4%Male, 54.5% Female, 45.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.2% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 21.9% Asian, 9.5% White, 57.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 19.8% Asian, 9.4% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between dental technician and dental laboratory worker duties and responsibilities

Dental technician example responsibilities.

  • Utilize 3-D scanning and printing software and hardware to create zirconia dental appliances.
  • Take impressions and seat Invisalign aligners.
  • Wax and/ or finish implants and substructures.
  • Specialize in Invisalign but also apply braces when necessary.
  • Fit and finish of FMC and PFM crowns and frameworks.
  • Draft bridge superstructures, substructures and design precast concrete and structural steel bridges.
  • Show more

Dental laboratory worker example responsibilities.

  • Manage operations of dental laboratory as lead technician, working directly with patients and dentists in an in-house dental laboratory.
  • Assume full accountability in waxing up and fabricating PFM crowns, color match, stain, glaze and finish PFM crowns.
  • Manage operations of dental laboratory as lead technician, working directly with patients and dentists in an in-house dental laboratory.
  • Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation and operate resuscitation equipment.

Dental technician vs dental laboratory worker skills

Common dental technician skills
  • Patients, 38%
  • Dentures, 17%
  • Dental Care, 17%
  • Prosthetics, 12%
  • Dental Lab, 3%
  • Cad Cam, 2%
Common dental laboratory worker skills
  • Dentures, 79%
  • Mouth Guards, 21%

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