{"v":"2026-11-02","dataVersion":"ONET-30.3+BLS-MAY25","code":"51-9081.00","slug":"dental-laboratory-technicians","title":"Dental Laboratory Technicians","alt":["Dental Technician","Dental Ceramist","Denture Technician","Laboratory Technician","Dental Mechanic","Dental Technologist","Orthodontic Technician","Porcelain Technician","Model Technician","Bridge Technician","Metal Finisher","Dental Mold Maker"],"employment":34410,"wage":{"median":49610,"p25":40420,"p75":62070},"growthPct":-4.7,"exposure":21.7,"taskCount":17,"highCount":1,"midCount":1,"lowCount":15,"aeiObserved":0,"fit":{"mix":{"none":69.5,"efficient":24.4,"standard":6.1,"frontier":0},"counts":{"none":12,"efficient":4,"standard":1,"frontier":0},"recommended":"efficient","coveragePct":24.4,"addressablePct":30.5},"tasks":[{"t":"Read prescriptions or specifications and examine models or impressions to determine the design of dental products to be constructed.","imp":4.86,"exp":50,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Getting Information"},{"t":"Test appliances for conformance to specifications and accuracy of occlusion, using articulators and micrometers.","imp":4.73,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials"},{"t":"Fabricate, alter, or repair dental devices, such as dentures, crowns, bridges, inlays, or appliances for straightening teeth.","imp":4.69,"exp":20,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Handling and Moving Objects"},{"t":"Prepare metal surfaces for bonding with porcelain to create artificial teeth, using small hand tools.","imp":4.63,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Handling and Moving Objects"},{"t":"Rebuild or replace linings, wire sections, or missing teeth to repair dentures.","imp":4.62,"exp":20,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment"},{"t":"Place tooth models on an apparatus that mimics bite and movement of patient's jaw to evaluate functionality of model.","imp":4.61,"exp":65,"src":"heuristic","tier":"standard","gwa":"Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information"},{"t":"Apply porcelain paste or wax over prosthesis frameworks or setups, using brushes and spatulas.","imp":4.57,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Handling and Moving Objects"},{"t":"Remove excess metal or porcelain and polish surfaces of prostheses or frameworks, using polishing machines.","imp":4.48,"exp":12,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Handling and Moving Objects"},{"t":"Build and shape wax teeth, using small hand instruments and information from observations or dentists' specifications.","imp":4.48,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Handling and Moving Objects"},{"t":"Load newly constructed teeth into porcelain furnaces to bake the porcelain onto the metal framework.","imp":4.47,"exp":12,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Performing General Physical Activities"},{"t":"Mold wax over denture setups to form the full contours of artificial gums.","imp":4.35,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Handling and Moving Objects"},{"t":"Train or supervise other dental technicians or dental laboratory bench workers.","imp":4.33,"exp":35,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Training and Teaching Others"},{"t":"Melt metals or mix plaster, porcelain, or acrylic pastes and pour materials into molds or over frameworks to form dental prostheses or apparatuses.","imp":4.31,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Performing General Physical Activities"},{"t":"Create a model of patient's mouth by pouring plaster into a dental impression and allowing plaster to set.","imp":4.31,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Performing General Physical Activities"},{"t":"Prepare wax bite blocks and impression trays for use.","imp":4.21,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Handling and Moving Objects"},{"t":"Shape and solder wire and metal frames or bands for dental products, using soldering irons and hand tools.","imp":4.19,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Handling and Moving Objects"},{"t":"Fill chipped or low spots in surfaces of devices, using acrylic resins.","imp":3.88,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Handling and Moving Objects"}],"adjacent":[{"code":"51-9082.00","slug":"medical-appliance-technicians","title":"Medical Appliance Technicians","overlap":0.67,"months":12,"exposure":15.3,"strong":true},{"code":"31-9091.00","slug":"dental-assistants","title":"Dental Assistants","overlap":0.65,"months":12,"exposure":28.1,"strong":true},{"code":"29-1024.00","slug":"prosthodontists","title":"Prosthodontists","overlap":0.65,"months":13,"exposure":57.9,"strong":false},{"code":"29-1292.00","slug":"dental-hygienists","title":"Dental Hygienists","overlap":0.63,"months":13,"exposure":32.5,"strong":false},{"code":"51-9083.00","slug":"ophthalmic-laboratory-technicians","title":"Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians","overlap":0.63,"months":13,"exposure":22.9,"strong":false}]}