Best institutions to study 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.
21 U.S. institutions graduated 254 Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.0603, a specialization of Dental Support Services and Allied Professions (CIP 51.06), and leads most directly to the Dental Laboratory Technicians occupation (BLS SOC 51-9081).
About Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician programs
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: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician program prepares individuals to work under the supervision of dentists, focusing on the design and construction of dental prostheses such as crowns, bridges, and dentures. This program is ideal for those interested in combining artistry with technical skills to support dental health and patient care.
Students in this program gain knowledge in dental anatomy, materials, and ceramics technology, alongside hands-on training in creating and repairing dental devices. Coursework emphasizes skills such as reading prescriptions, evaluating dental models, and using specialized equipment.
Credentials awarded
What Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Associate's degree79 graduates / yr · 11 institutions31%
- Award of less than 12 weeks64 graduates / yr · 2 institutions25%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years63 graduates / yr · 8 institutions25%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years32 graduates / yr · 3 institutions13%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year9 graduates / yr · 3 institutions3.5%
- Bachelor's degree7 graduates / yr · 1 institution2.8%
Graduates over time
Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 573 |
| 2013 | 481 |
| 2014 | 482 |
| 2015 | 461 |
| 2016 | 455 |
| 2017 | 378 |
| 2018 | 291 |
| 2019 | 310 |
| 2020 | 268 |
| 2021 | 287 |
| 2022 | 323 |
| 2023 | 243 |
| 2024 | 295 |
| 2025 | 254 |
Top 21 institutions for Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | YTI Career Institute - York York, PAPrivate for-profitAward of less than 12 weeks | 56 | 45% | $17,792 | $27,842 |
| 2 | CUNY New York City College of Technology Brooklyn, NYPublicAssociate's | 32 | 21% | — | $55,457 |
| 3 | Florida National University - Main Campus Hialeah, FLPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 24 | 31% | $24,775 | $20,203 |
| 4 | William T McFatter Technical College Davie, FLPublicAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 20 | 66% | — | — |
| 5 | Pasadena City College Pasadena, CAPublicAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic yearsAssociate's | 14 | 48% | — | — |
| 6 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology Nashville Nashville, TNPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 14 | 70% | — | $25,189 |
| 7 | ICPR Junior College Hato Rey, PRPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 10 | 51% | $6,450 | — |
| 8 | Los Angeles City College Los Angeles, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 9 | 29% | — | — |
| 9 | Universidad Ana G. Mendez - Gurabo Campus Gurabo, PRPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 9 | 31% | $9,370 | — |
| 10 | Santa Fe Community College Santa Fe, NMPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 8 | 23% | — | — |
| 11 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Memphis Memphis, TNPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 8 | 55% | — | $19,013 |
| 12 | Columbia College Vienna, VAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 8 | 80% | $10,583 | — |
| 13 | Indiana University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, INPublicBachelor's | 7 | 54% | — | $64,402 |
| 14 | Durham Technical Community College Durham, NCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 45% | — | — |
| 15 | Milwaukee Area Technical College Milwaukee, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 25% | — | $65,196 |
| 16 | Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - New Orleans New Orleans, LAPublicAssociate's | 5 | — | — | $59,772 |
| 17 | Bates Technical College Tacoma, WAPublicAssociate's | 5 | 43% | — | — |
| 18 | Southwest College for the Deaf Big Spring, TXPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 4 | 40% | — | — |
| 19 | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids, IAPublicAssociate's | 3 | 43% | — | $36,885 |
| 20 | ICPR Junior College - Mayaguez Mayaguez, PRPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 3 | 67% | $6,374 | — |
| 21 | Middlesex Community College Bedford, MAPublicAssociate's | 2 | 23% | — | $55,428 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Dental Support Services and Allied Professions field (CIP 51.06) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 16 states & territories
Where Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician graduates come from. Each state links to all Dental Support Services and Allied Professions programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 56 | YTI Career Institute - York56 / yr |
| Florida | 2 | 44 | Florida National University - Main Campus24 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 32 | CUNY New York City College of Technology32 / yr |
| California | 2 | 23 | Pasadena City College14 / yr |
| Puerto Rico | 3 | 22 | ICPR Junior College10 / yr |
| Tennessee | 2 | 22 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology Nashville14 / yr |
| New Mexico | 1 | 8 | Santa Fe Community College8 / yr |
| Virginia | 1 | 8 | Columbia College8 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 7 | Indiana University - Indianapolis7 / yr |
| North Carolina | 1 | 7 | Durham Technical Community College7 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 6 | Milwaukee Area Technical College6 / yr |
| Louisiana | 1 | 5 | Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - New Orleans5 / yr |
| Washington | 1 | 5 | Bates Technical College5 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 4 | Southwest College for the Deaf4 / yr |
| Iowa | 1 | 3 | Kirkwood Community College3 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 2 | Middlesex Community College2 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 51-9081, Dental Laboratory Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates typically pursue careers as Dental Laboratory Technicians, with an annual median wage of $48,310. Although the job outlook shows a decline of 4.7%, there are approximately 3,900 annual openings. A high school diploma or equivalent is generally the typical education required for entry into this field.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.0603
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Dental Laboratory Techniciansprimary SOC 51-9081 | $49,610 | -4.7% Decline | ~3,900 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1071 | $107,310 | +17.3% Much faster than average | ~27,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Read prescriptions or specifications and examine models or impressions to determine the design of dental products to be constructed.
- Test appliances for conformance to specifications and accuracy of occlusion, using articulators and micrometers.
- Fabricate, alter, or repair dental devices, such as dentures, crowns, bridges, inlays, or appliances for straightening teeth.
- Place tooth models on an apparatus that mimics bite and movement of patient's jaw to evaluate functionality of model.
- Remove excess metal or porcelain and polish surfaces of prostheses or frameworks, using polishing machines.
- Train or supervise other dental technicians or dental laboratory bench workers.
Tools and technology used
Other Dental Support Services and Allied Professions specializations
The 3 other 6-digit CIP codes under Dental Support Services and Allied Professions (CIP 51.06).
Common questions
What degree do I earn from this program?+
You can earn an Associate's degree, or other awards based on program length.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and technical proficiency in dental technology.
What are the job prospects after graduation?+
While job growth is declining, there are still around 3,900 annual openings for Dental Laboratory Technicians.
What types of tasks will I perform in this field?+
You will read prescriptions, fabricate dental devices, and test appliances for accuracy.
What is the CIP code for Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician?+
Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician is CIP 51.0603 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Dental Support Services and Allied Professions (CIP 51.06). NCES defines it as: 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.
How many institutions offer Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician programs?+
21 U.S. institutions reported Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 16 states & territories, awarding 254 credentials in the year. That is 1.0% of all Dental Support Services and Allied Professions graduates.
How much do Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Dental Laboratory Technicians occupation, which Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician most directly leads to, pays a median of $49,610 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Dental Support Services and Allied Professions field report median earnings of $55,428 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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