How much does a dental laboratory technician make?
The median dental laboratory technician in the United States earns $49,610 per year, about $23.85 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all dental laboratory technicians earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 51-9081.
Dental laboratory technician salary range
Pay for dental laboratory technicians spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $36,660 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $76,940. The average (mean) wage of $54,290 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36,660 | $17.62 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $40,420 | $19.43 | |
| Median (50th) | $49,610 | $23.85 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $62,070 | $29.84 | |
| 90th percentile | $76,940 | $36.99 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for dental laboratory technicians (SOC 51-9081), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Dental laboratory technician salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Dental laboratory technicians earn the most in Massachusetts at $72,800 a year, and the least in South Carolina at $37,170. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $72,800 | 440 |
| North Dakota | $67,580 | 60 |
| Maine | $64,020 | 120 |
| Colorado | $61,220 | 410 |
| New Hampshire | $60,610 | 120 |
| Florida | $59,790 | 2,330 |
| Nebraska | $58,590 | 190 |
| Kansas | $56,790 | 570 |
| Washington | $56,400 | 670 |
| Minnesota | $56,090 | 390 |
| New York | $52,460 | 1,890 |
| Virginia | $51,900 | 1,050 |
| Illinois | $51,380 | 2,030 |
| Arkansas | $49,960 | 840 |
| Indiana | $49,920 | 680 |
| North Carolina | $49,700 | 990 |
| Michigan | $49,570 | 1,180 |
| Georgia | $49,310 | 1,460 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,280 | 930 |
| Tennessee | $48,880 | 610 |
| Oregon | $48,800 | 570 |
| Oklahoma | $48,670 | 250 |
| Ohio | $48,480 | 1,160 |
| South Dakota | $48,370 | 120 |
| Nevada | $48,190 | 200 |
| Arizona | $47,930 | 950 |
| Maryland | $47,850 | 590 |
| Mississippi | $47,770 | 140 |
| West Virginia | $47,740 | N/A |
| Montana | $47,560 | 110 |
| Iowa | $47,520 | 380 |
| California | $47,410 | 4,480 |
| Idaho | $47,380 | 370 |
| New Jersey | $47,270 | 780 |
| Wisconsin | $47,170 | 800 |
| Utah | $47,110 | 1,300 |
| Missouri | $46,870 | 740 |
| Kentucky | $46,770 | 420 |
| Texas | $46,330 | 1,770 |
| Alabama | $45,760 | 1,050 |
| Rhode Island | $45,320 | N/A |
| Hawaii | $45,300 | 120 |
| New Mexico | $45,300 | 130 |
| Delaware | $38,500 | N/A |
| Louisiana | $38,490 | 330 |
| South Carolina | $37,170 | 260 |
State median wages for dental laboratory technicians (SOC 51-9081), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for dental laboratory technicians
The BLS projects employment of dental laboratory technicians to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 5.9%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 34,400 jobs in 2025 moving toward 32,300 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 3,600 openings a year for dental laboratory technicians. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a dental laboratory technician
The typical entry-level education for dental laboratory technicians is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a dental laboratory technician earns
Industry, shift, certifications, and region drive pay, along with overtime. Skilled operators and workers in unionized plants sit near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Massachusetts, $72,800) and the lowest (South Carolina, $37,170) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 34,410 people work as dental laboratory technicians in the United States. At $49,610 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Dental laboratory technician salary FAQ
How much does a dental laboratory technician make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a dental laboratory technician is $23.85. The middle half of dental laboratory technicians earn between $19.43 and $29.84 per hour.
What is the highest dental laboratory technician salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of dental laboratory technicians earn more than $76,940 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a dental laboratory technician make a year?
The median annual salary for a dental laboratory technician is $49,610. The average (mean) wage of $54,290 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a dental laboratory technician a well paid job?
At $49,610 a year, a dental laboratory technician earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 34,410 people work as dental laboratory technicians in the United States.
Which state pays dental laboratory technicians the most?
Massachusetts has the highest median salary for dental laboratory technicians at $72,800 a year. North Dakota ($67,580) and Maine ($64,020) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a dental laboratory technician a good career?
Employment of dental laboratory technicians is projected to shrink 5.9% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 3,600 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a dental laboratory technician?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for dental laboratory technicians as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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