Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Lab Technician Salary in Virginia
The median dental lab technician earns $51,900 a year in Virginia ($24.95 an hour), with the middle half earning between $44,220 and $75,160.[1]
25th percentile
$44,220
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$51,900
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$75,160
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $51,900 per year or $24.95/hr at the median. Virginia runs about 5% higher than the national median.
The full pay range in Virginia
BLS publishes five points on the pay curve. The 10th percentile is a reasonable read on entry pay, and the 90th shows what the best-paid dental lab technicians in Virginia earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | Virginia hourly | Virginia annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $17.36 | $36,100 | $17.62 | $36,660 |
| 25th percentile | $21.26 | $44,220 | $19.43 | $40,420 |
| Median | $24.95 | $51,900 | $23.85 | $49,610 |
| 75th percentile | $36.13 | $75,160 | $29.84 | $62,070 |
| 90th percentile | $43.03 | $89,490 | $36.99 | $76,940 |
| Mean (average) | $28.64 | $59,560 | $26.10 | $54,290 |
How many dental lab technicians work in Virginia
1,050
0.26
1.16
How Virginia compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $51,900 in Virginia vs. $49,610 nationally, $2,290 (5%) higher.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $36,100 vs. $36,660, 2% lower.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $89,490 vs. $76,940, 16% higher.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): -10.9% in Virginia vs. -4.5% nationally.
Dental Lab Technician pay by metro area in Virginia
All 5 Virginia metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | $61,250 | $47,180–$76,540 | 490 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | $58,720 | $47,360–$76,760 | 280 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | $48,880 | $46,850–$59,120 | 70 |
| Roanoke | $48,550 | $37,160–$78,960 | 50 |
| Richmond | $46,700 | $36,420–$59,690 | 150 |
Job outlook for dental lab technicians in Virginia
Virginia's official long-term projections expect employment of dental lab technicians to change 10.9% over 2024–2034, from 1,080 to 960 jobs, with about 110 openings a year.[3] The national projection for the same period is -4.5%.
Openings include replacements for people who retire or change careers, which is why they can far exceed net growth. For what this means for hiring, see The dental hiring shortage, by the numbers.
What drives dental lab technician pay in Virginia
Pay for a dental lab technician depends on experience, setting, and metro. The metro table above shows how much location alone moves the median. Group practices and dental support organizations (DSOs) compete for talent across many locations, and benefits, schedules and bonuses can matter as much as base pay.
Hiring an outside agency is one way practices fill gaps, and it is expensive. See what agencies charge in What dental staffing agencies actually charge.
For dental pros
Know your worth, then go get it
Browse open dental lab technician roles in Virginia, or build a free, ATS-ready resume and get matched to practices that fit how you want to work.
Dental Lab Technician salary in Virginia: FAQ
How much do dental lab technicians make in Virginia?
The median annual wage for dental lab technicians in Virginia was $51,900 ($24.95 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $44,220 and $75,160. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $36,100 and the top 10% earned over $89,490.
Do dental lab technicians in Virginia earn more than the national median?
Yes. The Virginia median of $51,900 is higher than the U.S. median of $49,610. That is $2,290 (5%) higher. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Virginia metro area pays dental lab technicians the most?
Among the 5 Virginia metro areas with published BLS data, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria has the highest median at $61,250 a year. Richmond has the lowest, at $46,700.
How many dental lab technicians work in Virginia?
BLS estimates 1,050 dental lab technicians were employed in Virginia in May 2025. That is 0.26 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 1.16, meaning the role is more concentrated than the national average.
Is demand for dental lab technicians growing in Virginia?
Virginia's official long-term projections expect employment of dental lab technicians to change 10.9% over 2024–2034, from 1,080 to 960 jobs. That works out to about 110 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is -4.5%.
Hiring in Virginia?
Fill dental lab technician roles across every location.
Keep exploring
Other roles in Virginia
Dental Lab Technician salary by state
- Dental Lab Technician salary in California
- Dental Lab Technician salary in Texas
- Dental Lab Technician salary in Florida
- Dental Lab Technician salary in New York
- Dental Lab Technician salary in Illinois
- Dental Lab Technician salary in Pennsylvania
- Dental Lab Technician salary in Ohio
- Dental Lab Technician salary in Georgia
Sources
- 1.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: Dental Laboratory Technicians (51-9081), national, state and metro estimates
- 2.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 time-series data files (percentiles, employment, location quotients)
- 3.Projections Central, Virginia long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dental Laboratory Technicians