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SOC 3213 Health and social care associate professionals

Medical and dental technicians Salary

Median salary £29,119 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £29,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For medical and dental technicians, £29,931 is the typical (median) pay. That is below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -23% versus the national average. Experienced medical and dental technicians (top 25%) earn over £34,475.

About this role

Medical and dental technicians design, manufacture and repair medical devices, prosthetics, orthotics, dental appliances and other therapeutic or diagnostic equipment used in patient care.

Key responsibilities

  • Manufacturing dental prostheses, crowns and orthodontic appliances
  • Designing and fabricating medical devices and orthotics
  • Using CAD/CAM technology for precision manufacturing
  • Repairing and maintaining medical and dental equipment
  • Working from clinician prescriptions and specifications

Qualifications and entry routes

Dental technicians require a GDC-registered qualification (typically Foundation Degree or BSc). Prosthetists and orthotists require HCPC-approved degrees. Registration with relevant regulatory bodies is mandatory.

Career outlook

Digital manufacturing (CAD/CAM, 3D printing) is transforming the profession. Demand is steady, with particular need in NHS dental laboratories.

Key skills

Precision manufacturing CAD/CAM technology Materials science Attention to detail Manual dexterity

Common industries

  • Dental laboratories
  • NHS prosthetics departments
  • Medical device manufacturers
  • Orthodontic practices
  • Orthotics services

Data coverage

SOC code 3213
Data source ONS ASHE
Years available 2015–2025
Estimated jobs 32,000

Median Salary

£29,119

Mean Salary

£29,546

Jobs (000s)

32k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P10: --P25: £24kMedian: £29kP75: £34kP90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£24,168

0-2 years

Mid Level

£24,168

3-7 years

Senior

£34,475

8-15 years

Potential career growth: +43% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Nominal growth: +11.0%Real growth: -19.6%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 10.8%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£29,119

Full-time Only

£29,931

Full-time premium: +£812

Medical and dental technicians salary: common questions

How much do medical and dental technicians earn in the UK?
Medical and dental technicians earn a median of £29,931 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £24,168 and £34,475.
Is £29,931 a good salary in the UK?
For medical and dental technicians, £29,931 is the typical (median) pay. That is below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -23% versus the national average. Experienced medical and dental technicians (top 25%) earn over £34,475.
What is the starting salary for medical and dental technicians?
Entry-level medical and dental technicians typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £24,168, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £24,167.
Have medical and dental technicians salaries kept up with inflation?
Since 2015, median medical and dental technicians pay has risen from £28,402 to £29,931 — +5.0% in cash terms, or -24% after CPIH inflation. That is behind inflation over the period.
Is there a gender pay gap for medical and dental technicians?
Male medical and dental technicians earn a median £31,309 and female medical and dental technicians £27,930 — a gap of +11% in 2025.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).