Dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians make or repair dentures, eyeglasses, prosthetics, and related products.
Dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians typically do the following:
Technicians’ duties vary, depending on their employer. In small offices and retail establishments, technicians may handle every phase of production. In large manufacturing and wholesale facilities, technicians may be responsible for only one phase of production, such as polishing, measuring, or testing.
Dental laboratory technicians use 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 handtools, such as files and polishers, and with many different materials, including wax, alloy, ceramic, plastic, and porcelain. Technicians also use computer programs and three-dimensional printers to create dental appliances and restorations.
Dental laboratory technicians may 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 ceramists.
Ophthalmic laboratory technicians make prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses. They are also commonly known as optical laboratory technicians.
Ophthalmic laboratory technicians typically use automated equipment to make lenses. 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 and repair medical supportive devices, such as hearing aids or leg braces. They use many different types of materials, such as metal, plastic, and leather.
Medical appliance technicians who create orthoses (braces, supports, and other devices) and prostheses (replacement limbs and facial parts) are sometimes referred to as orthotic and prosthetic technicians or O&P technicians.
Medical appliance technicians should not be confused with hearing aid specialists or orthotists and prosthetists, who work directly with patients. However, technicians may work closely with these other specialists to ensure proper fit or to repair devices.
Dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians held about 73,300 jobs in 2021. Employment in the detailed occupations that make up dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians was 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 were 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 handling certain materials. Workers typically wear protective equipment, such as goggles, gloves, or masks, to protect themselves from injury. They may spend a great deal of time standing or bending.
Most dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians work full time, and schedules may vary.
To enter the occupation, dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians typically need at least a high school diploma or equivalent. They typically receive on-the-job training to attain competency.
Dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians typically need at least a high school diploma or equivalent. High school students interested in becoming a dental or ophthalmic laboratory technician or medical appliance technician may benefit from taking classes in science, mathematics, and art.
Employers may prefer to hire candidates who have a postsecondary certificate or associate’s degree. Some community colleges and technical schools offer programs in dental or ophthalmic laboratory technology in which students gain experience completing specific tasks, such as surfacing and finishing prescription eyewear. Community colleges and technical schools also may offer programs in medical appliance technology fields, such as orthotics and prosthetics technology.
Most dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians learn their skills through on-the-job training. They may begin as helpers and learn more advanced skills as they gain experience. For example, dental laboratory technicians may start out making models from impressions and progress to designing and fabricating crowns and bridges.
Although optional, certification may demonstrate a level of competence and professionalism that makes candidates more attractive to employers. It also may increase opportunities for advancement.
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 pass several exams and meet education, training, or experience requirements.
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 experience as a technician under the direct supervision of a certified orthotist or prosthetist or O&P technician.
Some employers prefer that ophthalmic laboratory technicians obtain certification from the American Board of Opticianry and National Contact Lens Examiners (ABO-NCLE) prior to hiring or after completing on-the-job training. Basic certification is earned after passing an exam.
In large facilities, dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians may work their way up to a supervisory level and train new technicians. Some go on to own their own laboratory.
Detail oriented. Dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians must follow work orders and prescriptions precisely. They also 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 to use precision instruments.
Interpersonal skills. Dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians must be able to work effectively with others. They may be part of a team of technicians working on a single project.
Problem-solving skills. Dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians may encounter challenges when constructing or repairing medical devices. They need to be resourceful in finding solutions.
Technical skills. Dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians need to understand how different tools and materials work. They also must know how to operate automated machinery and may need proficiency in design software.
Median annual wages, May 2021
The median annual wage for dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians was $39,090 in May 2021. 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 in May 2021 were as follows:
| Dental laboratory technicians | $45,770 |
| Medical appliance technicians | 45,280 |
| Ophthalmic laboratory technicians | 37,270 |
In May 2021, the median annual wages for dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians in the top industries in which they worked were 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.
Percent change in employment, projected 2021-31
Overall employment of dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians is projected to grow 2 percent from 2021 to 2031, 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.
Projected employment of dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians varies by occupation (see table).
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 nearsightedness, astigmatism, and other eye problems.
| Occupational Title | SOC Code | Employment, 2021 | Projected Employment, 2031 | Change, 2021-31 | Employment by Industry | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent | Numeric | ||||||
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program |
|||||||
Dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians |
51-9080 | 73,300 | 74,700 | 2 | 1,400 | Get data | |
Dental laboratory technicians |
51-9081 | 36,700 | 36,500 | -1 | -300 | Get data | |
Medical appliance technicians |
51-9082 | 16,400 | 17,300 | 5 | 900 | Get data | |
Ophthalmic laboratory technicians |
51-9083 | 20,200 | 20,900 | 4 | 700 | Get data | |
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 ophthalmic laboratory technicians, visit
International Council of Accreditation
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
American Board of Opticianry and National Contact Lens Examiners
For career videos on dental laboratory and medical appliance technicians, visit