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Orthodontic laboratory technician vs lead laboratory technician

The differences between orthodontic laboratory technicians and lead 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 a lead laboratory technician. Additionally, a lead laboratory technician has an average salary of $54,230, 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 lead laboratory technician are patients, lab equipment, and customer service.

Orthodontic laboratory technician vs lead laboratory technician overview

Orthodontic Laboratory TechnicianLead Laboratory Technician
Yearly salary$33,152$54,230
Hourly rate$15.94$26.07
Growth rate2%3%
Number of jobs41,95577,096
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age4444
Years of experience1212

Orthodontic laboratory technician vs lead laboratory technician salary

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

Orthodontic Laboratory TechnicianLead Laboratory Technician
Average salary$33,152$54,230
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $47,000Between $33,000 And $86,000
Highest paying City-South San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-New Jersey
Best paying company-Meta
Best paying industry-Manufacturing

Differences between orthodontic laboratory technician and lead laboratory technician education

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

Orthodontic Laboratory TechnicianLead Laboratory Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common majorGeneral StudiesBiology
Most common collegeUniversity of Maryland - College ParkNew York University

Orthodontic laboratory technician vs lead laboratory technician demographics

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

Orthodontic Laboratory TechnicianLead Laboratory Technician
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 38.4% Female, 61.6%Male, 58.2% Female, 41.8%
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, 9.9% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 12.0% White, 54.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between orthodontic laboratory technician and lead 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.

Lead laboratory technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage patient, and corporate information with compassion and confidentiality.
  • Set up, adjust, calibrate, clean, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory instruments.
  • Assist with FDA and OSHA audits, coordinate the center for all audits and inspections.
  • Accession patient information, doctor information, and testing information accurately and promptly into the NovoPath LIS system.
  • Develop and execute IQ/OQ/PQ at manufacturing site.
  • Maintain, troubleshoot, verify and calibrate laboratory equipment.
    • Show more

Orthodontic laboratory technician vs lead 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 lead laboratory technician skills
  • Patients, 12%
  • Lab Equipment, 11%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Ongoing Maintenance, 5%
  • Patient Care, 4%
  • Chemistry, 4%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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