Orthodontic laboratory technician vs laboratory supervisor

The differences between orthodontic laboratory technicians and laboratory supervisors 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 laboratory supervisor. Additionally, a laboratory supervisor has an average salary of $67,361, 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 laboratory supervisor are clinical laboratory, patients, and chemistry.

Orthodontic laboratory technician vs laboratory supervisor overview

	Orthodontic Laboratory Technician	Laboratory Supervisor
Yearly salary	$33,152	$67,361
Hourly rate	$15.94	$32.39
Growth rate	2%	3%
Number of jobs	41,955	49,957
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 39%	Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	12	12

Orthodontic laboratory technician vs laboratory supervisor salary

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

	Orthodontic Laboratory Technician	Laboratory Supervisor
Average salary	$33,152	$67,361
Salary range	Between $23,000 And $47,000	Between $47,000 And $96,000
Highest paying City	-	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	Chevron
Best paying industry	-	Health Care

Differences between orthodontic laboratory technician and laboratory supervisor education

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

	Orthodontic Laboratory Technician	Laboratory Supervisor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 39%	Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common major	General Studies	Biology
Most common college	University of Maryland - College Park	Northwestern University

Orthodontic laboratory technician vs laboratory supervisor demographics

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

	Orthodontic Laboratory Technician	Laboratory Supervisor
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 38.4% Female, 61.6%	Male, 52.7% Female, 47.3%
Race ratio	Black 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, 10.5% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 12.0% White, 53.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between orthodontic laboratory technician and laboratory supervisor 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.

Laboratory supervisor example responsibilities.

Manage personnel within the team, and provide guidance relating to laboratory EMR to performance improvement projects
Handle administrative and IRB tasks, manage fiscal matters, maintain record system of participant data.
Manage all static data, generate reports, run queries and support laboratories with technical knowledge and advice.
Manage pneumatic resistance rehabilitation lab.
Manage and maintain various automate laboratory equipment though GMP safe practices.
Assist with implementation of new procedures as laboratory works to achieving ISO certification.

Orthodontic laboratory technician vs laboratory supervisor skills

Common orthodontic laboratory technician skills

Study Models, 25%
Splints, 19%
Front Desk, 12%
Orthodontic Appliances, 11%
Chair Side, 9%
RPE, 9%

Common laboratory supervisor skills

Clinical Laboratory, 11%
Patients, 10%
Chemistry, 6%
Patient Care, 5%
Lab Equipment, 5%
Test Results, 5%

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Orthodontic Laboratory Technician
Orthodontic Laboratory Technician vs Laboratory Supervisor

Updated January 8, 2025

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