by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician involves the study of Dental Laboratory Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals, Under The Supervision Of Dentists, To Design And Construct Dental Prostheses Such As Caps, Crowns, Bridges, Dentures, Splints, And Orthodontic Appliances. Includes Instruction In Dental Anatomy, Dental Materials, Ceramics Technology, Impressions, Complete Dentures, Partial Dentures, Orthodontics, Crowns And Bridges, Sculpture, Bonding And Assembly Techniques, And Equipment Operation. Read on to learn the important information every dental laboratory technology/technician student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering dental laboratory technology/technician programs.
Across the country, dental laboratory technology/technician is a popular field of study, with 295 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician Schools ranking analyzes these 23 schools to determine the best overall colleges for dental laboratory technology/technician students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of dental laboratory technology/technician programs later in this article.
Programs in Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations dental laboratory technology/technician graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a dental laboratory technology/technician program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a dental laboratory technology/technician major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several dental laboratory technology/technician degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 121 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 100 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 12 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 25 |
People currently working in careers related to dental laboratory technology/technician tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 33.4% |
| Doctoral degree | 22.8% |
| Post-doctoral training | 17.5% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 11.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.4% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 4.4% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.2% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.1% |
| Some college courses | 0.6% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in dental laboratory technology/technician careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying dental laboratory technology/technician opens doors to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to dental laboratory technology/technician.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to dental laboratory technology/technician.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Dental Laboratory Technicians | 124,616 | 11.2% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of dental laboratory technology/technician graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $28,149 |
| 4 years | $30,974 |
| 5 years | $33,855 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for dental laboratory technology/technician graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers dental laboratory technology/technician grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
| Dental Laboratory Technicians | $25,417 |
With 23 different dental laboratory technology/technician programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased dental laboratory technology/technician school rankings to help you.
Those considering dental laboratory technology/technician, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Dental Assisting/Assistant | 15,557 |
| Dental Hygiene/Hygienist | 8,802 |
| Dental Services and Allied Professions, Other | 107 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
