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The differences between process technicians and dental assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a process technician, becoming a dental assistant takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a process technician has an average salary of $39,462, which is higher than the $37,730 average annual salary of a dental assistant.
The top three skills for a process technician include basic math, patients and OSHA. The most important skills for a dental assistant are patients, patient care, and CPR.
| Process Technician | Dental Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $39,462 | $37,730 |
| Hourly rate | $18.97 | $18.14 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 74,367 | 69,835 |
| Job satisfaction | 3 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | Associate Degree, 23% |
| Average age | 45 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
A process technician is responsible for managing the equipment and machinery used for various industries, such as manufacturing and engineering. Process technicians must have a strong knowledge of the mechanical industry, especially on operating certain equipment types and making adjustments on its features as needed, depending on the needs of the operation. They also run diagnostic tests to check a machine's working condition to ensure that it's free of any inconsistencies. A process technician also helps develop structure methods by communicating with the technical team and escalating all defective findings to the supervisor.
Dental assistants provide patient care, have the ability to take x-rays, blood pressure readings, and help dentists perform treatments and procedures. They also keep patients' dental records, schedule appointments, prepare and maintain materials and equipment. They may conduct tests that are not much complicated and would not require the supervision of a dentist or dental surgeon. They also may administer and dispense medications to patients under the doctor's orders. Most dental assistants work in dentists' offices as full time in dental practice, but they can specialize and get employment in orthodontic or periodontist offices and other practices.
Process technicians and dental assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Process Technician | Dental Assistant | |
| Average salary | $39,462 | $37,730 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $51,000 | Between $28,000 And $50,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Clara, CA | Saint Paul, MN |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | Alaska |
| Best paying company | HP | Alameda Health System |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Government |
There are a few differences between a process technician and a dental assistant in terms of educational background:
| Process Technician | Dental Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | Associate Degree, 23% |
| Most common major | Business | Dental Assisting |
| Most common college | Purdue University | - |
Here are the differences between process technicians' and dental assistants' demographics:
| Process Technician | Dental Assistant | |
| Average age | 45 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 73.2% Female, 26.8% | Male, 11.5% Female, 88.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 7.6% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 24.4% Asian, 9.1% White, 52.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 4% |