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Orthodontic laboratory technician vs assistant laboratory technician

The differences between orthodontic laboratory technicians and assistant laboratory technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both an orthodontic laboratory technician and an assistant laboratory technician. Additionally, an assistant laboratory technician has an average salary of $35,556, which is higher than the $33,152 average annual salary of an orthodontic laboratory technician.

The top three skills for an orthodontic laboratory technician include study models, splints and front desk. The most important skills for an assistant laboratory technician are patients, ladders, and computer lab.

Orthodontic laboratory technician vs assistant laboratory technician overview

Orthodontic Laboratory TechnicianAssistant Laboratory Technician
Yearly salary$33,152$35,556
Hourly rate$15.94$17.09
Growth rate2%1%
Number of jobs41,955116,488
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age4444
Years of experience1212

Orthodontic laboratory technician vs assistant laboratory technician salary

Orthodontic laboratory technicians and assistant laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Orthodontic Laboratory TechnicianAssistant Laboratory Technician
Average salary$33,152$35,556
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $47,000Between $21,000 And $57,000
Highest paying City-Manchester, NH
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Patterson-UTI Energy
Best paying industry--

Differences between orthodontic laboratory technician and assistant laboratory technician education

There are a few differences between an orthodontic laboratory technician and an assistant laboratory technician in terms of educational background:

Orthodontic Laboratory TechnicianAssistant Laboratory Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorGeneral StudiesBiology
Most common collegeUniversity of Maryland - College ParkUniversity of Maryland - College Park

Orthodontic laboratory technician vs assistant laboratory technician demographics

Here are the differences between orthodontic laboratory technicians' and assistant laboratory technicians' demographics:

Orthodontic Laboratory TechnicianAssistant Laboratory Technician
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 38.4% Female, 61.6%Male, 71.6% Female, 28.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 11.4% White, 54.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 11.9% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between orthodontic laboratory technician and assistant laboratory technician duties and responsibilities

Orthodontic laboratory technician example responsibilities.

  • Lead aerobic, anaerobic and UV light testing, chemical residue testing and centrifuge to separate chemicals from water.
  • Place wires, mods, orms, assist with productions (bands, brackets, headgear).
  • Perform immunological, chemical, microbiological, and hematological tests, critically examine results for accuracy, troubleshoot discrepancies.
  • Prepare PowerPoint presentations of quality chromosome spread images, used to determine variability in count and morphology.

Assistant laboratory technician example responsibilities.

  • Lead aerobic, anaerobic and UV light testing, chemical residue testing and centrifuge to separate chemicals from water.
  • Work with non-gynecological specimens including thin prep, cytospins or formalin and cellient cell blocks.
  • Work in cytology lab performing prep duties of surgical fluids, FNA aspirates and pap smears.
  • Verify test requirements utilizing LIS.
  • Obtain insurance authorization and provide patients resources regarding insurance coverage and financial responsibilities.
  • Collect, identify, categorize, and analyze bodily fluids relate to non-gynecological cytology.
  • Show more

Orthodontic laboratory technician vs assistant laboratory technician skills

Common orthodontic laboratory technician skills
  • Study Models, 25%
  • Splints, 19%
  • Front Desk, 12%
  • Orthodontic Appliances, 11%
  • Chair Side, 9%
  • RPE, 9%
Common assistant laboratory technician skills
  • Patients, 23%
  • Ladders, 11%
  • Computer Lab, 8%
  • Vital Signs, 7%
  • EKG, 6%
  • CPR, 5%

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