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Orthodontic laboratory technician vs clinical technician

The differences between orthodontic laboratory technicians and clinical 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 a clinical technician. Additionally, a clinical technician has an average salary of $35,760, 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 a clinical technician are patients, vital signs, and phlebotomy.

Orthodontic laboratory technician vs clinical technician overview

Orthodontic Laboratory TechnicianClinical Technician
Yearly salary$33,152$35,760
Hourly rate$15.94$17.19
Growth rate2%9%
Number of jobs41,955161,812
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age4444
Years of experience1212

Orthodontic laboratory technician vs clinical technician salary

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

Orthodontic Laboratory TechnicianClinical Technician
Average salary$33,152$35,760
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $47,000Between $26,000 And $48,000
Highest paying City-Seattle, WA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Brigham and Women's Hospital
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between orthodontic laboratory technician and clinical technician education

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

Orthodontic Laboratory TechnicianClinical Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common majorGeneral StudiesNursing
Most common collegeUniversity of Maryland - College ParkUniversity of Connecticut

Orthodontic laboratory technician vs clinical technician demographics

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

Orthodontic Laboratory TechnicianClinical Technician
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 38.4% Female, 61.6%Male, 26.6% Female, 73.4%
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, 12.8% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 11.2% White, 53.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between orthodontic laboratory technician and clinical 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.

Clinical technician example responsibilities.

  • Prepare QC and QA samples for validity testing.
  • Resolve issues from level 1 EMR support as well as EMR issues transfer from other departments.
  • Recognize life threatening situations and activate the emergency response system while assisting with CPR and code cart.
  • Report and document description of patient care information in EMR in accordance with hospital policy and procedure.
  • Participate in reviews and QC of external central laboratory contracts, sample kits and manuals and ensure accuracy.
  • Assist in advance and basic life support techniques, perform EKG's, blood withdrawal, and computer order entry.
  • Show more

Orthodontic laboratory technician vs clinical technician skills

Common orthodontic laboratory technician skills
  • Study Models, 25%
  • Splints, 19%
  • Front Desk, 12%
  • Orthodontic Appliances, 11%
  • Chair Side, 9%
  • RPE, 9%
Common clinical technician skills
  • Patients, 27%
  • Vital Signs, 8%
  • Phlebotomy, 7%
  • Direct Patient Care, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • EKG, 4%

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