Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Using precise hand and finger movements to control tools, equipment, or materials.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
To enter the occupation, dental or ophthalmic laboratory technicians or medical appliance technicians typically need at least a high school diploma or equivalent. They typically receive on-the-job training to attain competency. PayThe median annual wage for dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians was $47,060 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians is projected to decline 2 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 7,100 openings for dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians was $47,060 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians is projected to decline 2 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 7,100 openings for dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians is projected to decline 2 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 7,100 openings for dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians make or repair dentures, eyeglasses, prosthetics, and related products.
Work Environment
Dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians usually work in clean, well-lighted spaces and may spend time standing or bending. Most work full time, and schedules may vary.
How to Become a Dental or Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician or Medical Appliance Technician
To enter the occupation, dental or ophthalmic laboratory technicians or medical appliance technicians typically need at least a high school diploma or equivalent. They typically receive on-the-job training to attain competency.
Pay
The median annual wage for dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians was $47,060 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians is projected to decline 2 percent from 2025 to 2035.
Despite declining employment, about 7,100 openings for dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians usually work in clean, well-lighted spaces and may spend time standing or bending. Most work full time, and schedules may vary.
How to Become a Dental or Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician or Medical Appliance Technician
To enter the occupation, dental or ophthalmic laboratory technicians or medical appliance technicians typically need at least a high school diploma or equivalent. They typically receive on-the-job training to attain competency.
Pay
The median annual wage for dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians was $47,060 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians is projected to decline 2 percent from 2025 to 2035.
Despite declining employment, about 7,100 openings for dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Explore Training Options
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.