Career Outlook

The job outlook for dental laboratory technicians is very good and will continue to get better in the future. Because there are only two dental laboratory programs in Texas, graduates of these programs are employed throughout the entire state.

Opportunities for advancement are many, and once on the job, the technician can advance to department head, manager, or become self-employed. Salaries vary depending on experience, geographic area, and area of specialization.

During the last few years, demand has arisen from an aging public that is growing increasingly interested in cosmetic prostheses. As a result, many dental laboratories are filling orders for composite fillings that are the same shade of white as natural teeth to replace older, less attractive fillings.

Starting salaries in the Dental Lab field range from $14,560-$18,720 in the Valley and from $16,000-$32,000 out of the Valley.