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The differences between orthodontic assistants and dental technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an orthodontic assistant and a dental technician. Additionally, a dental technician has an average salary of $68,232, which is higher than the $49,768 average annual salary of an orthodontic assistant.
The top three skills for an orthodontic assistant include patients, HIPAA and patient care. The most important skills for a dental technician are patients, dentures, and dental care.
| Orthodontic Assistant | Dental Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $49,768 | $68,232 |
| Hourly rate | $23.93 | $32.80 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 55,933 | 45,536 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 23% | Associate Degree, 28% |
| Average age | 38 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
An Orthodontic Assistant works under the supervision of an orthodontist. They prepare the appointment rooms prior to patients visits, take the patients oral health history, assess patients through examining them, and determine their needs for orthodontic care.
Dental Technicians manufacture dental prosthetics, such as crowns, bridges, and dentures in accordance with the dentist's specifications. They are also responsible for replacing, repairing, or modifying full or partial dentures.
Orthodontic assistants and dental technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Orthodontic Assistant | Dental Technician | |
| Average salary | $49,768 | $68,232 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $96,000 | Between $40,000 And $115,000 |
| Highest paying City | Los Angeles, CA | Columbia, MD |
| Highest paying state | California | Maryland |
| Best paying company | LCMC Health | Private Practice |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Health Care |
There are a few differences between an orthodontic assistant and a dental technician in terms of educational background:
| Orthodontic Assistant | Dental Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 23% | Associate Degree, 28% |
| Most common major | Dental Assisting | Dental Assisting |
| Most common college | - | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between orthodontic assistants' and dental technicians' demographics:
| Orthodontic Assistant | Dental Technician | |
| Average age | 38 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 8.4% Female, 91.6% | Male, 51.6% Female, 48.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 22.2% Asian, 7.9% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 5% |