Dental and Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians and Medical Appliance Technicians
Career, Salary and Education Information
What They Do: Dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians construct, fit, or repair medical appliances and devices.
Work Environment: Dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians often work in laboratories. Other technicians work in health and personal care stores or in healthcare facilities. Most work full time.
How to Become One: Dental or ophthalmic laboratory technicians or medical appliance technicians typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and receive on-the-job training.
Salary: The median annual wage for dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians is $39,090.
Job Outlook: Overall employment of dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians is projected to grow 2 percent over the next ten years, slower than the average for all occupations.
Related Careers: Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians with similar occupations.
What Dental and Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians and Medical Appliance Technicians Do[About this section] [To Top]
Dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians construct, fit, or repair medical appliances and devices, including dentures, eyeglasses, and prosthetics.
Duties of Dental and Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians and Medical Appliance Technicians
Dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians typically do the following:
- Follow detailed work orders and prescriptions
- Determine which materials and tools will be needed
- Bend, form, and shape fabric or material
- Polish and shape appliances and devices, using hand or power tools
- Adjust appliances or devices to allow for a more natural look or to improve function
- Inspect the final product for quality and accuracy
- Repair damaged appliances and devices
In small laboratories and offices, technicians may handle every phase of production. In larger ones, technicians may be responsible for only one phase of production, such as polishing, measuring, or testing.
Dental laboratory technicians use traditional or digital impressions or molds of a patient's teeth to create crowns, bridges, dentures, and other dental appliances. They work closely with dentists, but have limited contact with patients.
Dental laboratory technicians work with small hand tools, such as files and polishers. They work with many different materials, including wax, alloy, ceramic, plastic, and porcelain, to make prosthetic appliances. In some cases, technicians use computer programs or three-dimensional printers to create appliances or to get impressions sent from a dentist's office.
Dental laboratory technicians can specialize in one or more of the following: orthodontic appliances, crowns and bridges, complete dentures, partial dentures, implants, or ceramics. Technicians may have different job titles, depending on their specialty. For example, technicians who make ceramic restorations such as veneers and bridges, are called dental ceramists.
Ophthalmic laboratory technicians make prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses. They are also commonly known as manufacturing opticians or optical mechanics.
Although they make some lenses by hand, ophthalmic laboratory technicians often use automated equipment. Some technicians manufacture lenses for optical instruments, such as telescopes and binoculars. Ophthalmic laboratory technicians should not be confused with dispensing opticians, who work with customers to select eyewear and may prepare work orders for ophthalmic laboratory technicians.
Medical appliance technicians construct, fit, and repair medical supportive devices, including arch supports, facial parts, and foot and leg braces.
Medical appliance technicians use many different types of materials, such as metal, plastic, and leather, to create a variety of medical devices for patients who need them because of a birth defect, an accident, disease, amputation, or the effects of aging. For example, some medical appliance technicians make hearing aids.
Orthotic and prosthetic technicians, also called O&P technicians, are medical appliance technicians who create orthoses (braces, supports, and other devices) and prostheses (replacement limbs and facial parts). These technicians work closely with orthotists or prosthetists.
Work Environment for Dental and Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians and Medical Appliance Technicians[About this section] [To Top]
Dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians hold about 73,300 jobs. Employment in the detailed occupations that make up dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians is distributed as follows:
| Dental laboratory technicians | 36,700 |
| Ophthalmic laboratory technicians | 20,200 |
| Medical appliance technicians | 16,400 |
The largest employers of dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians are as follows:
| Medical equipment and supplies manufacturing | 58% |
| Health and personal care stores | 7% |
| Offices of dentists | 6% |
| Offices of optometrists | 5% |
| Professional and commercial equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers | 4% |
Technicians may be exposed to health and safety hazards when they handle certain materials, but there is little risk if they follow proper procedures, such as wearing goggles, gloves, or masks. They may spend a great deal of time standing or bending.
Dental and Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician and Medical Appliance TechnicianWork Schedules
Most dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians work full time, and schedules may vary.
How to Become a Dental or Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician or Medical Appliance Technician[About this section] [To Top]
Get the education you need: Find schools for Dental and Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians and Medical Appliance Technicians near you!
Dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians typically need at least a high school diploma or equivalent and receive on-the-job training.
Education for Dental and Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians and Medical Appliance Technicians
Dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians typically need at least a high school diploma or equivalent. There are some postsecondary programs in dental laboratory technology at community colleges or technical or vocational schools that award an associate's degree or postsecondary certificate. High school students interested in becoming dental or ophthalmic laboratory technicians or medical appliance technicians should take courses in science, human anatomy, math, computer programming, and art.
Dental and Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician and Medical Appliance TechnicianTraining
Most dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians learn their skills through on-the-job training. They usually begin as helpers in a laboratory and learn more advanced skills as they gain experience. For example, dental laboratory technicians may begin by pouring plaster into an impression to make a model. As they become more experienced, they may progress to more complex tasks, such as designing and fabricating crowns and bridges. Because all laboratories are different, the length of training varies.
Important Qualities for Dental and Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians and Medical Appliance Technicians
Detail oriented. Dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians must pay attention to detail. Technicians must follow work orders and prescriptions accurately and precisely. In addition, they need to be able to recognize and correct any imperfections in their work.
Dexterity. Dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians must work well with their hands because they use precise instruments.
Interpersonal skills. Dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians need to be able to work effectively with others because they may be part of a team of technicians working on a single project. In addition, they need good communication skills to ensure safety when they work with hazardous materials.
Technical skills. Dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians need to have an in-depth knowledge of how different tools and materials work. They also must understand how to operate complex machinery. Some procedures are automated, so technicians must know how to operate and change the programs that run the machinery.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Certification is not required for dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians or medical appliance technicians. However, technicians may choose to earn specialty certifications because they show professional competence in a specialized field.
The National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology offers certification as a Certified Dental Technician (CDT). Certification is available in six specialty areas: orthodontics, crown and bridge, complete dentures, partial dentures, implants, and ceramics.
To qualify for the CDT, technicians must have at least 5 years of on-the-job training or experience in dental technology or have graduated from an accredited dental laboratory technician program. Candidates also must pass three exams within a period of 4 years.
The American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics offers certification for orthotic and/or prosthetic technicians. Technicians are eligible for the certification exam after completing an accredited program or if they have 2 years of experience as a technician under the direct supervision of a certified orthotist or prosthetist or O&P technician.
Advancement for Dental and Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians and Medical Appliance Technicians
In large laboratories, dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians may work their way up to a supervisory level and may train new technicians. Some may go on to own their own laboratory.
Medical appliance technicians can advance to become orthotists or prosthetists after completing additional formal education. These practitioners work with patients who need braces, prostheses, or related devices.
Dental and Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians and Medical Appliance Technicians Salaries[About this section] [More salary/earnings info] [To Top]
The median annual wage for dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians is $39,090. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $29,230, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $62,730.
Median annual wages for dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians are as follows:
| Dental laboratory technicians | $45,770 |
| Medical appliance technicians | $45,280 |
| Ophthalmic laboratory technicians | $37,270 |
The median annual wages for dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians in the top industries in which they work are as follows:
| Offices of dentists | $46,640 |
| Medical equipment and supplies manufacturing | $39,730 |
| Professional and commercial equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers | $38,050 |
| Health and personal care stores | $35,970 |
| Offices of optometrists | $31,490 |
Most dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians work full time, and schedules may vary.
Job Outlook for Dental and Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians and Medical Appliance Technicians[About this section] [To Top]
Overall employment of dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians is projected to grow 2 percent over the next ten years, slower than the average for all occupations.
Despite limited employment growth, about 9,900 openings for dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Employment of Dental and Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians and Medical Appliance Technicians
Projected employment of dental and opthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians varies by occupation.
Demand for dental laboratory technicians is expected to be limited as 3D printing and other laborsaving technologies are increasingly used to produce dental parts and appliances.
The increasing number of older adults and an associated rise in age-related ailments will drive demand for medical appliance technicians. For example, these workers will be needed to produce supportive devices to help reduce pain and improve function for people with osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. Rising obesity rates in the general population will also translate into a greater need for orthoses. Meanwhile, the growing prevalence of diabetes, which may lead to limb loss, will spur demand for prosthetic care.
Demand for ophthalmic laboratory technicians should increase, because many people need vision correction at some point in their lives. As the population continues to increase, more people will need corrective eyewear, such as glasses and contact lenses, to address nearshightedness, astigmatism, and other eye problems.
| Occupational Title | Employment, 2021 | Projected Employment, 2031 | Change, 2021-31 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent | Numeric | |||
| Dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians | 73,300 | 74,700 | 2 | 1,400 |
| Dental laboratory technicians | 36,700 | 36,500 | -1 | -300 |
| Medical appliance technicians | 16,400 | 17,300 | 5 | 900 |
| Ophthalmic laboratory technicians | 20,200 | 20,900 | 4 | 700 |
More Dental or Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician and Medical Appliance Technician Information[About this section] [To Top]
For information about requirements for certification of dental laboratory technicians, visit
National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology
For information about career opportunities in commercial dental laboratories, visit
National Association of Dental Laboratories
For a list of accredited programs for medical appliance technicians, visit
American Academy of Orthotists & Prosthetists
National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education
For information on requirements for certification of medical appliance technicians, visit
American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics
A portion of the information on this page is used by permission of the U.S. Department of Labor.