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The differences between laboratory technicians and dental laboratory technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a laboratory technician, becoming a dental laboratory technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a dental laboratory technician has an average salary of $55,271, which is higher than the $40,038 average annual salary of a laboratory technician.
The top three skills for a laboratory technician include patients, lab equipment and customer service. The most important skills for a dental laboratory technician are dentures, patients, and prosthetics.
| Laboratory Technician | Dental Laboratory Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $40,038 | $55,271 |
| Hourly rate | $19.25 | $26.57 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 84,357 | 60,024 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Associate Degree, 39% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 2 |
Laboratory technicians are medical professionals who work in the laboratory. They are responsible for the equipment in the laboratory, making sure tools are properly sanitized and sterilized after every use. They also ensure that laboratory equipment works well. Laboratory technicians may also be responsible for collecting and testing samples from patients. They prepare solutions and other chemicals that may be needed for testing. They also provide an analysis of the samples that they tested. Laboratory technicians ensure that all items in the laboratory are properly labeled and organized.
A dental laboratory technician replaces total or partial natural teeth loss by constructing partial and complete dentures. They restore the natural teeth by fabricating bridges and crowns. These professionals produce removable and fixed devices that assist in correcting dental irregularities. Besides keeping detailed reports, logs, forms, and records to note down actions, dental laboratory technicians also re-design, evaluate, and study processes to enhance care quality. Moreover, dental laboratory technicians keep equipment and supply inventories in working conditions. Also, they follow the right procedures and discretion at all times.
Laboratory technicians and dental laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Laboratory Technician | Dental Laboratory Technician | |
| Average salary | $40,038 | $55,271 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $58,000 | Between $35,000 And $86,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Trenton, NJ |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Vermont |
| Best paying company | Tenaska | DCS |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Professional |
There are a few differences between a laboratory technician and a dental laboratory technician in terms of educational background:
| Laboratory Technician | Dental Laboratory Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Associate Degree, 39% |
| Most common major | Biology | Dental Assisting |
| Most common college | New York University | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor |
Here are the differences between laboratory technicians' and dental laboratory technicians' demographics:
| Laboratory Technician | Dental Laboratory Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 53.3% Female, 46.7% | Male, 47.0% Female, 53.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 12.0% White, 54.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 19.8% Asian, 9.5% White, 57.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 5% |