by our College Data Analytics TeamDental Laboratory Technology/Technician was the 938th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 287 degrees in this year alone. This represents a 6.6% increase in dental laboratory tech degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 268.
This year's Best Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician Schools ranking compares 13 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of dental laboratory tech programs later in this article.
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents has been highlighted as one of the most essential skills for careers related to dental laboratory tech. Required skills include using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems and talking to others to convey information effectively.
dental laboratory technology/technician degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Specific dental laboratory tech careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are many different dental laboratory tech degree levels. You can get anything from a in dental laboratory technology/technician to the highest dental laboratory tech degree, a . Depending on the dental laboratory technology/technician degree you choose, obtaining your diploma can take anwhere from 1 to 4+ years.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A master's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to dental laboratory tech, with approximately 18.0% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for dental laboratory tech workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma | 24.6% |
| Master’s Degree | 15.3% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 13.9% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 11.7% |
| Doctoral Degree | 10.6% |
60.6% of dental laboratory tech workers have at least a associate. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in dental laboratory technology/technician careers have.
This of course varies depending on which dental laboratory tech career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your dental laboratory tech degree? Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician careers are expected to grow 24.3% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to dental laboratory technology/technician.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Professors | 294,000 | 25.9% |
| Dental Laboratory Technicians | 43,600 | 14.4% |
As you might expect, salaries for dental laboratory tech graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for dental laboratory technology/technician graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers dental laboratory tech grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Health Specialties Professors | $122,320 |
| Dental Laboratory Technicians | $43,180 |
With over 51 different dental laboratory tech degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased dental laboratory tech school rankings to help you with this.
Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician is one of 3 different types of Dental Support Services programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Dental Assisting/Assistant | 17,223 |
| Dental Hygiene/Hygienist | 8,807 |
| Other Dental Services & Allied Professions | 82 |
