Dental Laboratory Technicians

Employers

Approximately 36,500 dental laboratory technicians are employed in the United States. The majority of technicians work in commercial dental laboratories. In 2017, there were 6,584 multi-employee dental laboratories throughout the United States, according to the National Association of Dental Laboratories. Some of these laboratories are small, with only one or two technicians who perform a broad range of duties. Large commercial laboratories that serve dentists from a wider area or accept work through the mail may employ from two to 100 technicians; in such laboratories, technicians are more likely to specialize in one area. Some opportunities are available for technicians in private dental offices, dental schools, hospitals, and companies that manufacture dental prosthetic materials. Experienced technicians may find teaching positions in dental laboratory technology education programs.