by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 21 U.S. colleges awarded 254 degrees and certificates in Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician. Certificates are the most popular award, at 37% of graduates. College Factual ranks 7 schools in its 2027 Best Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $28,290 one year after completing, rising to $38,528 after four years.
A 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.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, dental laboratory technology/technician is a popular field of study, with 254 degrees awarded annually. 21 colleges award dental laboratory technology/technician degrees, an average of 12 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 56.
By level, the 254 awards include 95 certificates, 79 associate degrees, 7 bachelor’s degrees and 9 master’s degrees.
Women earned 81% of dental laboratory technology/technician degrees and certificates in the latest year (206 of 254). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are Hispanic or Latino (106) and White (61), and international students earned 14.
College Factual ranks 7 schools in its 2027 Best Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician Schools ranking, including 1 for associate degrees. It also ranks dental laboratory technology/technician schools within 1 state. In all, 21 colleges offer dental laboratory technology/technician programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common dental laboratory technology/technician credential is the certificate: 95 of the 254 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to dental laboratory technology/technician call most for Reading Comprehension, Speaking and Instructing, and for knowledge of Education and Training, English Language and Medicine and Dentistry, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a dental laboratory technology/technician degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 95 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 79 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 7 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 9 |
Master’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to dental laboratory technology/technician, at 33.4%.
| 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% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician, with an average median salary of $36,040; the strongest outlook belongs to Dental Laboratory Technicians, at 11.2% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Hearing Therapy Teacher, Podiatry Teacher, Recreation Therapy Aides Teacher and Neurology Professor.
The occupation related to dental laboratory technology/technician with the most projected jobs is Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, at 1,335,407.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Dental Laboratory Technicians | 124,616 | 11.2% |
Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician graduates earn a median $28,290 one year after completing their program, $38,528 after four years and $33,997 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $28,290 |
| 4 years | $38,528 |
| 5 years | $33,997 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to dental laboratory technology/technician, with a median salary of $46,663.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
| Dental Laboratory Technicians | $25,417 |
Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician has 3 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 25,158 degrees a year; the largest are Dental Assisting/Assistant (16,103), Dental Hygiene/Hygienist (8,920) and Dental Services and Allied Professions, Other (135). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Dental Assisting/Assistant | 16,103 |
| Dental Hygiene/Hygienist | 8,920 |
| Dental Services and Allied Professions, Other | 135 |
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