Dental Laboratory Technicians
SOC Code: 51-9081 Job Zone 2: Some Preparation Needed
Construct and repair full or partial dentures or dental appliances.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Dental Laboratory Technicians. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland-South Portland, ME | $47,466 | $58,843 | $70,242 | $81,619 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $41,434 | $53,997 | $66,539 | $79,102 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $41,122 | $53,581 | $66,061 | $78,520 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $40,643 | $53,123 | $65,582 | $78,062 |
| Springfield, MA | $44,262 | $55,515 | $66,747 | $78,000 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $44,262 | $55,515 | $66,747 | $78,000 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $44,262 | $55,515 | $66,747 | $78,000 |
| Worcester, MA | $44,283 | $55,286 | $66,310 | $77,314 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $46,134 | $56,451 | $66,789 | $77,106 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $45,282 | $55,869 | $66,456 | $77,043 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 3.4 | |
| Time Management | 3.2 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.2 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.1 | |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.1 | |
| Monitoring | 3.0 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.0 | |
| Speaking | 3.0 | |
| Active Learning | 3.0 | |
| Active Listening | 3.0 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Administration and Management | 3.8 |
| Design | 3.8 |
| English Language | 3.6 |
| Medicine and Dentistry | 3.6 |
| Production and Processing | 3.5 |
| Education and Training | 3.5 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 3.4 |
| Mechanical | 3.2 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma | 51.7% |
| Some college | 18.2% |
| Less than high school | 13.2% |
| Post-secondary certificate | 7.4% |
| Doctoral degree | 5.7% |
| Associate's degree | 1.9% |
| Bachelor's degree | 1.9% |
Typical Tasks
- Read prescriptions or specifications and examine models or impressions to determine the design of dental products to be constructed.
- Fabricate, alter, or repair dental devices, such as dentures, crowns, bridges, inlays, or appliances for straightening teeth.
- Test appliances for conformance to specifications and accuracy of occlusion, using articulators and micrometers.
- Place tooth models on an apparatus that mimics bite and movement of patient's jaw to evaluate functionality of model.
- Melt metals or mix plaster, porcelain, or acrylic pastes and pour materials into molds or over frameworks to form dental prostheses or apparatuses.
- Remove excess metal or porcelain and polish surfaces of prostheses or frameworks, using polishing machines.
- Train or supervise other dental technicians or dental laboratory bench workers.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Intuit QuickBooks Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Windows Microsoft Word Bookkeeping software Computer aided design CAD software Computer aided design and drafting CADD software Computer aided manufacturing CAM software Computer imaging software Database management software Dental product design software Dental product manufacturing software
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