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Industrial Design Engineering Careers and Jobs

Select, Find and Prepare for Industrial Design Engineering Careers and Jobs - all on one page

For people who want to design physical products and need both engineering and design skills. Use the tools below to see which industrial design engineering roles fit your background and goals.

This major blends product design aesthetics with engineering feasibility, distinct from pure engineering or pure art programs. Use the tools below to explore Industrial Design Engineering-related job titles sorted by growth rate, salary, or required education. You can start with entry points like Junior Product Designer, or look ahead to advanced roles such as Senior Industrial Designer or Product Development Lead. Along the way, you will see specific certifications, such as None formally required; portfolio and CAD skill matter most, that can help you move up the career ladder.



4 Steps to Use This Page: 1-Explore Careers of Intrerest 2-See Job Listings Matched to Career 3-Prepare for the Career 4-See External Career Resources

Here is a short Helper Video External Link

This page will take you through 4 steps to (1) Select from Industrial Design Engineering careers/jobs, (2) Find Industrial Design Engineering job listings, (3) Prepare for Industrial Design Engineering careers, and (4) Provide Industrial Design Engineering career-specific resources.

Step 1: Select a Career/Job: This page starts with 4 ways for you to identify and select from listings of Industrial Design Engineering careers/jobs:
A) Fastest Growing Industrial Design Engineering Careers - 2023 to 2033 (est.)
These listings are based on job growth estimates and helps you to identify the fastest growing and evolving Industrial Design Engineering careers. Some careers may not initially seem related to Industrial Design Engineering, so relevant Industrial Design Engineering jobs are listed alongside each listing. This can also help us to identify which careers (bottom of the listing) may have negative growth - perhaps due to automation or planned obsolescence.
B) Median Annual Salary U.S. Industrial Design Engineering Careers
These listings are sorted (descending) by median annual salary in the U.S. This may help us to identify our ideal career. We may not qualify at this time for the desired career, but this listing and the results provided can help us to explore job details, as well as learn how to appropriately prepare for the career.
C) Industrial Design Engineering Career Ladders (Educational Requirements)
These listings will help us to identify Industrial Design Engineering careers sorted by educational requirements (with the most difficult to obtain listed first). This may help us to identify career ladders (as we scroll down the list), and help us to get jobs that we qualify for now.
D) Select From a Listing of 38 Industrial Design Engineering Jobs.
The list may be quite long. There are two ways you might like to use this list:
1) Filter - As you enter a word, you will filter (limit) the list of job titles
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply explore the list of job titles. There may be many that you might never have considered to be of interest.
Once you have identified a job title of interest, simply click on it.

Step 2: Find a Job: After you have selected a career/job title above, you will see a form asking for your location. You will see several radio selection choices to utilize the job search site of your choice.

Step 3: Prepare For a Career: In this section you will gain access to detailed information to help you prepare for the chosen career. Information may include (not every career choice includes all of the elements below - updates occur quarterly):
Core Duties: Lists the primary worker-related tasks performed in this occupation
Supplemental Duties: Lists additional tasks that are performed but are secondary to the core duties
Work Activities: Summarizes the broad types of behaviors and actions related to this career
Specific Work Activities: Provides more granular day-to-day activities tied to the work performed
Essential Skills: Provides foundational skills that are core to performing this specific occupation
Transferable Skills: Provides career-portable skills that can be applied across multiple occupations and industries
Day-in-the-Life Summaries: Provides a snapshot of the key activities performed on a typical workday in this career
Knowledge Required: Provides the requirements regarding the acquisition of facts and principles
Software Skills: Lists software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized by category and priority
Preparation Required: Provides a summary of the required experience and education
Education Required: Detailed breakdown of the education required
Training and Experience Required: Detailed breakdown of the training and Training and Experience Required
Local Salary Information: Provides national and local salary ranges
Certifications: Provides appropriate government and private-sector certifications and/or credentials that may be required
Professional Associations: Provides professional associations that are related to the career selected
Job Listings: Provides links to active current job listings for the selected career, along with multiple similar job titles to explore. All information appears on this page without navigating away.
Related Careers to Consider: Lists up to 20 careers that might be of interest to you (related to your initial choice - what they do, what they know, and what they're called), ranked by best fit.

** If you clicked on a link from section D (as described in Step 1 above), you will see one or more links to an occupation that is usually a bit more general than your initial job selection - the link(s) is directly related to the specific job you identified through your prior selections.
*NOTE: It is possible that there may not be a career path identified for the specific job you selected in Step 1. If this is the case, scroll up the page and click on a different career/job.

Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that provide detailed (updated) links specific to the career you selected. This information includes:
Videos: Provides a listing of video links related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes: Sources for resume materials and techniques. This can help to get you started.
Job Description: Sources that provide job descriptions, which are vital to resume and interview preparation.
Interviews: Provides links that can help you to prepare for and successfully complete the job interview. Can also assist with coffee chats.
Step by Step: Provides links to resources that can help to organize the career search process.
LinkedIn: One of the best professional social media sites that provides links, opportunities, and networking specifically for careers and career development.




Step 1 of 4: Select a Career/Job

14 Industrial Design Engineering careers are listed below (sorted by Percentage Change in Total Job Openings - 2023 to 2033 est.). Industrial Design Engineering-related jobs specific to each career are also provided. This shows which careers are emerging and growing the fastest. Please Scroll and Select below:

Occupations U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033 (% change) Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers 27.4% CAD Programmer (Computer-Aided Design Programmer)
Occupation: Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 27.4% Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: CAD Programmer (Computer-Aided Design Programmer)
Dental Laboratory Technicians 12.2% CAD Tech (Computer-Aided Design Technician)
Occupation: Dental Laboratory Technicians U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 12.2% Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: CAD Tech (Computer-Aided Design Technician)
Art Directors 11% Product Design Director
Occupation: Art Directors U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 11% Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Product Design Director
Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers 8% Camera Prototyping Engineer
Occupation: Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 8% Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Camera Prototyping Engineer
Commercial and Industrial Designers 5.6% Industrial Designer; Product Design Engineer; Product Designer; UI Product Designer (User Interface Product Designer); UX Product Designer (User Experience Product Designer)
Occupation: Commercial and Industrial Designers U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 5.6% Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Industrial Designer; Product Design Engineer; Product Designer; UI Product Designer (User Interface Product Designer); UX Product Designer (User Experience Product Designer)
Architectural and Engineering Managers 4.1% Prototype Engineer Manager
Occupation: Architectural and Engineering Managers U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 4.1% Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Prototype Engineer Manager
Surveying and Mapping Technicians 3.7% Survey CAD Technician (Survey Computer-Aided Design Technician)
Occupation: Surveying and Mapping Technicians U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 3.7% Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Survey CAD Technician (Survey Computer-Aided Design Technician)
Electrical and Electronics Drafters 2.3% AutoCAD Drafter; AutoCAD Technician; CAD Drafter (Computer-Aided Design Drafter); CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman); Computer-Aided Design Designer (CAD Designer); Computer-Aided Design Technician (CAD Tech)
Occupation: Electrical and Electronics Drafters U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 2.3% Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: AutoCAD Drafter; AutoCAD Technician; CAD Drafter (Computer-Aided Design Drafter); CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman); Computer-Aided Design Designer (CAD Designer); Computer-Aided Design Technician (CAD Tech)
Carpenters 2.1% Prototype Carpenter
Occupation: Carpenters U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 2.1% Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Prototype Carpenter
Fashion Designers 0.5% Product Designer
Occupation: Fashion Designers U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 0.5% Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Product Designer
Architectural and Civil Drafters -0.9% Architectural CAD Drafter (Architectural Computer-Aided Design Drafter); Architectural CAD Technician (Architectural Computer-Aided Design Technician); AutoCAD Designer (Auto Computer-Aided Design Designer); AutoCAD Drafter (Auto Computer-Aided Design Drafter); CAD Designer (Computer Aided Design Designer); CAD Designer (Computer-Aided Design Designer); CAD Drafter (Computer Aided Design Drafter); CAD Drafter (Computer-Aided Design Drafter); CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman); CAD Draughter (Computer Aided Design Draughter); CAD Tech (Computer-Aided Design Technician); Civil CAD Designer (Civil Computer-Aided Design Designer)
Occupation: Architectural and Civil Drafters U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: -0.9% Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Architectural CAD Drafter (Architectural Computer-Aided Design Drafter); Architectural CAD Technician (Architectural Computer-Aided Design Technician); AutoCAD Designer (Auto Computer-Aided Design Designer); AutoCAD Drafter (Auto Computer-Aided Design Drafter); CAD Designer (Computer Aided Design Designer); CAD Designer (Computer-Aided Design Designer); CAD Drafter (Computer Aided Design Drafter); CAD Drafter (Computer-Aided Design Drafter); CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman); CAD Draughter (Computer Aided Design Draughter); CAD Tech (Computer-Aided Design Technician); Civil CAD Designer (Civil Computer-Aided Design Designer)
Mechanical Drafters -4.7% AutoCAD Designer (Auto Computer-Aided Design Designer); AutoCAD Drafter (Auto Computer-Aided Design Drafter); AutoCAD Technician (Auto Computer-Aided Design Technician); CAD Designer (Computer Aided Design Designer); CAD Designer (Computer-Aided Design Designer); CAD Drafter (Computer Aided Design Drafter); CAD Drafter (Computer-Aided Design Drafter); CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman); CAD Draughter (Computer Aided Design Draughter); CAD Operator (Computer Aided Design Operator); CAD Operator (Computer-Aided Design Operator); CAD Technician (Computer Aided Design Technician)
Occupation: Mechanical Drafters U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: -4.7% Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: AutoCAD Designer (Auto Computer-Aided Design Designer); AutoCAD Drafter (Auto Computer-Aided Design Drafter); AutoCAD Technician (Auto Computer-Aided Design Technician); CAD Designer (Computer Aided Design Designer); CAD Designer (Computer-Aided Design Designer); CAD Drafter (Computer Aided Design Drafter); CAD Drafter (Computer-Aided Design Drafter); CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman); CAD Draughter (Computer Aided Design Draughter); CAD Operator (Computer Aided Design Operator); CAD Operator (Computer-Aided Design Operator); CAD Technician (Computer Aided Design Technician)
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic -4.9% Prototype Fabricator; Prototype Model Maker; Prototype Special Build; Prototyper; Welding Prototype Operator
Occupation: Model Makers, Metal and Plastic U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: -4.9% Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Prototype Fabricator; Prototype Model Maker; Prototype Special Build; Prototyper; Welding Prototype Operator
Sewing Machine Operators -14% Prototype Sewer
Occupation: Sewing Machine Operators U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: -14% Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Prototype Sewer

16 Industrial Design Engineering careers are listed below (sorted by U.S. National Median Salary). Industrial Design Engineering-related jobs specific to each occupation are also provided. Please Scroll and Select below::

Occupations National Median Salary Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs

Architectural and Engineering Managers $ 165,370 Prototype Engineer Manager
Occupation: Architectural and Engineering Managers National Median Salary: $ 165,370 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Prototype Engineer Manager
Microsystems Engineers $ 111,970 Product Design Engineer
Occupation: Microsystems Engineers National Median Salary: $ 111,970 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Product Design Engineer
Art Directors $ 106,500 Product Design Director
Occupation: Art Directors National Median Salary: $ 106,500 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Product Design Director
Video Game Designers $ 98,540 Prototype Developer
Occupation: Video Game Designers National Median Salary: $ 98,540 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Prototype Developer
Fashion Designers $ 79,290 Product Designer
Occupation: Fashion Designers National Median Salary: $ 79,290 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Product Designer
Commercial and Industrial Designers $ 76,250 Industrial Designer; Product Design Engineer; Product Designer; UI Product Designer (User Interface Product Designer); UX Product Designer (User Experience Product Designer)
Occupation: Commercial and Industrial Designers National Median Salary: $ 76,250 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Industrial Designer; Product Design Engineer; Product Designer; UI Product Designer (User Interface Product Designer); UX Product Designer (User Experience Product Designer)
Electrical and Electronics Drafters $ 69,260 AutoCAD Drafter; AutoCAD Technician; CAD Drafter (Computer-Aided Design Drafter); CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman); Computer-Aided Design Designer (CAD Designer); Computer-Aided Design Technician (CAD Tech)
Occupation: Electrical and Electronics Drafters National Median Salary: $ 69,260 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: AutoCAD Drafter; AutoCAD Technician; CAD Drafter (Computer-Aided Design Drafter); CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman); Computer-Aided Design Designer (CAD Designer); Computer-Aided Design Technician (CAD Tech)
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic $ 64,190 Prototype Fabricator; Prototype Model Maker; Prototype Special Build; Prototyper; Welding Prototype Operator
Occupation: Model Makers, Metal and Plastic National Median Salary: $ 64,190 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Prototype Fabricator; Prototype Model Maker; Prototype Special Build; Prototyper; Welding Prototype Operator
Mechanical Drafters $ 64,060 AutoCAD Designer (Auto Computer-Aided Design Designer); AutoCAD Drafter (Auto Computer-Aided Design Drafter); AutoCAD Technician (Auto Computer-Aided Design Technician); CAD Designer (Computer Aided Design Designer); CAD Designer (Computer-Aided Design Designer); CAD Drafter (Computer Aided Design Drafter); CAD Drafter (Computer-Aided Design Drafter); CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman); CAD Draughter (Computer Aided Design Draughter); CAD Operator (Computer Aided Design Operator); CAD Operator (Computer-Aided Design Operator); CAD Technician (Computer Aided Design Technician)
Occupation: Mechanical Drafters National Median Salary: $ 64,060 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: AutoCAD Designer (Auto Computer-Aided Design Designer); AutoCAD Drafter (Auto Computer-Aided Design Drafter); AutoCAD Technician (Auto Computer-Aided Design Technician); CAD Designer (Computer Aided Design Designer); CAD Designer (Computer-Aided Design Designer); CAD Drafter (Computer Aided Design Drafter); CAD Drafter (Computer-Aided Design Drafter); CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman); CAD Draughter (Computer Aided Design Draughter); CAD Operator (Computer Aided Design Operator); CAD Operator (Computer-Aided Design Operator); CAD Technician (Computer Aided Design Technician)
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers $ 63,440 CAD Programmer (Computer-Aided Design Programmer)
Occupation: Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers National Median Salary: $ 63,440 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: CAD Programmer (Computer-Aided Design Programmer)
Architectural and Civil Drafters $ 61,820 Architectural CAD Drafter (Architectural Computer-Aided Design Drafter); Architectural CAD Technician (Architectural Computer-Aided Design Technician); AutoCAD Designer (Auto Computer-Aided Design Designer); AutoCAD Drafter (Auto Computer-Aided Design Drafter); CAD Designer (Computer Aided Design Designer); CAD Designer (Computer-Aided Design Designer); CAD Drafter (Computer Aided Design Drafter); CAD Drafter (Computer-Aided Design Drafter); CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman); CAD Draughter (Computer Aided Design Draughter); CAD Tech (Computer-Aided Design Technician); Civil CAD Designer (Civil Computer-Aided Design Designer)
Occupation: Architectural and Civil Drafters National Median Salary: $ 61,820 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Architectural CAD Drafter (Architectural Computer-Aided Design Drafter); Architectural CAD Technician (Architectural Computer-Aided Design Technician); AutoCAD Designer (Auto Computer-Aided Design Designer); AutoCAD Drafter (Auto Computer-Aided Design Drafter); CAD Designer (Computer Aided Design Designer); CAD Designer (Computer-Aided Design Designer); CAD Drafter (Computer Aided Design Drafter); CAD Drafter (Computer-Aided Design Drafter); CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman); CAD Draughter (Computer Aided Design Draughter); CAD Tech (Computer-Aided Design Technician); Civil CAD Designer (Civil Computer-Aided Design Designer)
Carpenters $ 56,350 Prototype Carpenter
Occupation: Carpenters National Median Salary: $ 56,350 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Prototype Carpenter
Surveying and Mapping Technicians $ 48,940 Survey CAD Technician (Survey Computer-Aided Design Technician)
Occupation: Surveying and Mapping Technicians National Median Salary: $ 48,940 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Survey CAD Technician (Survey Computer-Aided Design Technician)
Dental Laboratory Technicians $ 47,690 CAD Tech (Computer-Aided Design Technician)
Occupation: Dental Laboratory Technicians National Median Salary: $ 47,690 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: CAD Tech (Computer-Aided Design Technician)
Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers $ 46,850 Camera Prototyping Engineer
Occupation: Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers National Median Salary: $ 46,850 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Camera Prototyping Engineer
Sewing Machine Operators $ 34,440 Prototype Sewer
Occupation: Sewing Machine Operators National Median Salary: $ 34,440 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Prototype Sewer

16 Industrial Design Engineering careers are listed (sorted by Education/Preparation Requirements - descending) to provide career ladders. Industrial Design Engineering-related jobs specific to each career are also provided.

Education/Preparation Categories:
5 = Usually requires graduate school (e.g., Master's degree, Ph.D., M.D., or J.D.)
4 = Usually requires a four-year Bachelor's degree
3 = Usually requires vocational training, related on-the-job experience, or Associate's degree
2 = Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, but not always
Please Scroll and Select below:
Occupations Education/Preparation Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs

Architectural and Engineering Managers 5 Prototype Engineer Manager
Occupation: Architectural and Engineering Managers Education/Preparation: 5 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Prototype Engineer Manager
Microsystems Engineers 5 Product Design Engineer
Occupation: Microsystems Engineers Education/Preparation: 5 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Product Design Engineer
Art Directors 4 Product Design Director
Occupation: Art Directors Education/Preparation: 4 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Product Design Director
Commercial and Industrial Designers 4 Industrial Designer; Product Design Engineer; Product Designer; UI Product Designer (User Interface Product Designer); UX Product Designer (User Experience Product Designer)
Occupation: Commercial and Industrial Designers Education/Preparation: 4 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Industrial Designer; Product Design Engineer; Product Designer; UI Product Designer (User Interface Product Designer); UX Product Designer (User Experience Product Designer)
Video Game Designers 4 Prototype Developer
Occupation: Video Game Designers Education/Preparation: 4 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Prototype Developer
Architectural and Civil Drafters 3 Architectural CAD Drafter (Architectural Computer-Aided Design Drafter); Architectural CAD Technician (Architectural Computer-Aided Design Technician); AutoCAD Designer (Auto Computer-Aided Design Designer); AutoCAD Drafter (Auto Computer-Aided Design Drafter); CAD Designer (Computer Aided Design Designer); CAD Designer (Computer-Aided Design Designer); CAD Drafter (Computer Aided Design Drafter); CAD Drafter (Computer-Aided Design Drafter); CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman); CAD Draughter (Computer Aided Design Draughter); CAD Tech (Computer-Aided Design Technician); Civil CAD Designer (Civil Computer-Aided Design Designer)
Occupation: Architectural and Civil Drafters Education/Preparation: 3 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Architectural CAD Drafter (Architectural Computer-Aided Design Drafter); Architectural CAD Technician (Architectural Computer-Aided Design Technician); AutoCAD Designer (Auto Computer-Aided Design Designer); AutoCAD Drafter (Auto Computer-Aided Design Drafter); CAD Designer (Computer Aided Design Designer); CAD Designer (Computer-Aided Design Designer); CAD Drafter (Computer Aided Design Drafter); CAD Drafter (Computer-Aided Design Drafter); CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman); CAD Draughter (Computer Aided Design Draughter); CAD Tech (Computer-Aided Design Technician); Civil CAD Designer (Civil Computer-Aided Design Designer)
Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers 3 Camera Prototyping Engineer
Occupation: Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers Education/Preparation: 3 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Camera Prototyping Engineer
Electrical and Electronics Drafters 3 AutoCAD Drafter; AutoCAD Technician; CAD Drafter (Computer-Aided Design Drafter); CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman); Computer-Aided Design Designer (CAD Designer); Computer-Aided Design Technician (CAD Tech)
Occupation: Electrical and Electronics Drafters Education/Preparation: 3 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: AutoCAD Drafter; AutoCAD Technician; CAD Drafter (Computer-Aided Design Drafter); CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman); Computer-Aided Design Designer (CAD Designer); Computer-Aided Design Technician (CAD Tech)
Fashion Designers 3 Product Designer
Occupation: Fashion Designers Education/Preparation: 3 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Product Designer
Mechanical Drafters 3 AutoCAD Designer (Auto Computer-Aided Design Designer); AutoCAD Drafter (Auto Computer-Aided Design Drafter); AutoCAD Technician (Auto Computer-Aided Design Technician); CAD Designer (Computer Aided Design Designer); CAD Designer (Computer-Aided Design Designer); CAD Drafter (Computer Aided Design Drafter); CAD Drafter (Computer-Aided Design Drafter); CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman); CAD Draughter (Computer Aided Design Draughter); CAD Operator (Computer Aided Design Operator); CAD Operator (Computer-Aided Design Operator); CAD Technician (Computer Aided Design Technician)
Occupation: Mechanical Drafters Education/Preparation: 3 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: AutoCAD Designer (Auto Computer-Aided Design Designer); AutoCAD Drafter (Auto Computer-Aided Design Drafter); AutoCAD Technician (Auto Computer-Aided Design Technician); CAD Designer (Computer Aided Design Designer); CAD Designer (Computer-Aided Design Designer); CAD Drafter (Computer Aided Design Drafter); CAD Drafter (Computer-Aided Design Drafter); CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman); CAD Draughter (Computer Aided Design Draughter); CAD Operator (Computer Aided Design Operator); CAD Operator (Computer-Aided Design Operator); CAD Technician (Computer Aided Design Technician)
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic 3 Prototype Fabricator; Prototype Model Maker; Prototype Special Build; Prototyper; Welding Prototype Operator
Occupation: Model Makers, Metal and Plastic Education/Preparation: 3 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Prototype Fabricator; Prototype Model Maker; Prototype Special Build; Prototyper; Welding Prototype Operator
Surveying and Mapping Technicians 3 Survey CAD Technician (Survey Computer-Aided Design Technician)
Occupation: Surveying and Mapping Technicians Education/Preparation: 3 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Survey CAD Technician (Survey Computer-Aided Design Technician)
Carpenters 2 Prototype Carpenter
Occupation: Carpenters Education/Preparation: 2 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Prototype Carpenter
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers 2 CAD Programmer (Computer-Aided Design Programmer)
Occupation: Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers Education/Preparation: 2 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: CAD Programmer (Computer-Aided Design Programmer)
Dental Laboratory Technicians 2 CAD Tech (Computer-Aided Design Technician)
Occupation: Dental Laboratory Technicians Education/Preparation: 2 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: CAD Tech (Computer-Aided Design Technician)
Sewing Machine Operators 2 Prototype Sewer
Occupation: Sewing Machine Operators Education/Preparation: 2 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Prototype Sewer

Scroll through the picklist (below). There are 38 specific Industrial Design Engineering job titles listed. Select those that may be of interest - you will get active job listing links, along with detailed resources to help you prepare for a career related to that job.
You can use this form two ways:

hidden filler

Filter - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the list of job titles below

Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply explore the list of job titles. There may be many that you might never have considered to be of interest.

Enter a Keyword (filter the list below)
OR - leave blank and scroll through the choices:



Select a Job Title (Scroll and Select) :

Step 2 of 4: Find a Job

Find Job Listings: Dental Laboratory Technicians.


Search results will open in a new tab.

Note: Job search results work best for U.S.-based locations. For international searches, try searching for "[job title] in [city, country]" directly on the selected job board, or visit their country-specific website.

Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career





Dental Laboratory Technicians

Description: Construct and repair full or partial dentures or dental appliances.

U.S. Total Employment (2023):
33,100
U.S. Total Employment (2033 est.):
37,200
Employment Change (2023-2033 est.):
4,000 (12.2%)
Average Annual Job Openings (2023-2033 est.):
4,900
Please click on a section below to expand and see detailed occupational information related to "Dental Laboratory Technicians":

Core Duties

Important Core Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 96 (%) Description: Fabricate, alter, or repair dental devices, such as dentures, crowns, bridges, inlays, or appliances for straightening teeth.
Importance: 95 (%) Description: Read prescriptions or specifications and examine models or impressions to determine the design of dental products to be constructed.
Importance: 82 (%) Description: Test appliances for conformance to specifications and accuracy of occlusion, using articulators and micrometers.
Importance: 80 (%) Description: Place tooth models on an apparatus that mimics bite and movement of patient's jaw to evaluate functionality of model.
Importance: 74 (%) Description: Melt metals or mix plaster, porcelain, or acrylic pastes and pour materials into molds or over frameworks to form dental prostheses or apparatuses.
Importance: 72 (%) Description: Train or supervise other dental technicians or dental laboratory bench workers.
Importance: 71 (%) Description: Remove excess metal or porcelain and polish surfaces of prostheses or frameworks, using polishing machines.
Supplemental Duties
Important Supplemental Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 65 (%) Description: Apply porcelain paste or wax over prosthesis frameworks or setups, using brushes and spatulas.
Importance: 65 (%) Description: Build and shape wax teeth, using small hand instruments and information from observations or dentists' specifications.
Importance: 63 (%) Description: Create a model of patient's mouth by pouring plaster into a dental impression and allowing plaster to set.
Importance: 54 (%) Description: Prepare metal surfaces for bonding with porcelain to create artificial teeth, using small hand tools.
Importance: 53 (%) Description: Rebuild or replace linings, wire sections, or missing teeth to repair dentures.
Importance: 52 (%) Description: Fill chipped or low spots in surfaces of devices, using acrylic resins.
Importance: 50 (%) Description: Load newly constructed teeth into porcelain furnaces to bake the porcelain onto the metal framework.
Importance: 49 (%) Description: Shape and solder wire and metal frames or bands for dental products, using soldering irons and hand tools.
Importance: 47 (%) Description: Prepare wax bite blocks and impression trays for use.
Importance: 42 (%) Description: Mold wax over denture setups to form the full contours of artificial gums.
Work Activities

Important General Work Activities (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 87 (%) Description: Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Importance: 85 (%) Description: Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Importance: 82 (%) Description: Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Importance: 81 (%) Description: Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Importance: 80 (%) Description: Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Importance: 80 (%) Description: Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Importance: 79 (%) Description: Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Importance: 79 (%) Description: Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Importance: 77 (%) Description: Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Importance: 76 (%) Description: Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Importance: 76 (%) Description: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Importance: 75 (%) Description: Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Importance: 74 (%) Description: Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Importance: 74 (%) Description: Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Importance: 74 (%) Description: Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Importance: 73 (%) Description: Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Importance: 71 (%) Description: Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Importance: 70 (%) Description: Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
Importance: 70 (%) Description: Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Importance: 69 (%) Description: Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Importance: 68 (%) Description: Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
Importance: 65 (%) Description: Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
Importance: 65 (%) Description: Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Communicating with People Outside the Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Importance: 61 (%) Description: Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
Importance: 61 (%) Description: Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
Importance: 61 (%) Description: Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
Importance: 61 (%) Description: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
Specific Work Activities

Important Specific Work Activities
How can you begin to build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. Specific Work Activities appear below:
Apply parting agents or other solutions to molds.
Cast molds of patient anatomies to create medical or dental devices.
Construct customized assistive medical or dental devices.
Direct operational or production activities.
Fill cracks, imperfections, or holes in products or workpieces.
Inspect medical or dental assistive devices.
Instruct workers to use equipment or perform technical procedures.
Load items into ovens or furnaces.
Measure clients to ensure proper product fit.
Melt metal, plastic, or other materials to prepare for production.
Mix ingredients to create specific finishes.
Place materials into molds.
Polish materials, workpieces, or finished products.
Prepare materials for processing.
Prepare medical supplies or equipment for use.
Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.
Repair medical or dental assistive devices.
Shape metal workpieces with hammers or other small hand tools.
Solder parts or workpieces.
Trim excess material from workpieces.
Knowledge Required

Knowledge Required (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 74 (%) Description: Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Importance: 74 (%) Description: Design: Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Importance: 71 (%) Description: English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Importance: 71 (%) Description: Medicine and Dentistry: Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
Importance: 69 (%) Description: Production and Processing: Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Importance: 68 (%) Description: Education and Training: Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Mechanical: Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Importance: 59 (%) Description: Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Essential Skills

Essential Skills (in order of importance)
These are the foundational skills most central to success in this occupation. For the Top 5 most important, how can you begin building experience and confidence using these skills now?
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 56 (%) Description: Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Importance: 54 (%) Description: Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Transferable Skills

Transferable Skills (in order of importance)
These are skills that can transfer across occupations and industries. For the Top 5 most important, how can you strengthen these skills now so they support both this career and future career flexibility?
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 54 (%) Description: Time Management: Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Importance: 52 (%) Description: Operations Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Importance: 52 (%) Description: Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Day-in-the-Life Summaries

Day-in-the-Life Summaries
These summaries show the main types of activities you are likely to perform on a regular basis in this occupation. How can you imagine your typical workday — using these examples to see if this type of work fits you?
Activity: Apply materials to fill gaps or imperfections.
Activity: Cut materials.
Activity: Direct organizational operations, activities, or procedures.
Activity: Fabricate medical devices.
Activity: Inspect completed work or finished products.
Activity: Join parts using soldering, welding, or brazing techniques.
Activity: Load products, materials, or equipment for transportation or further processing.
Activity: Maintain medical equipment or instruments.
Activity: Prepare industrial materials for processing or use.
Activity: Prepare medical equipment or work areas for use.
Activity: Prepare mixtures or solutions.
Activity: Read documents or materials to inform work processes.
Activity: Remove workpieces from production equipment.
Activity: Shape materials to create products.
Activity: Smooth surfaces of objects or equipment.
Activity: Take physical measurements of patients or clients.
Activity: Train others to use equipment or products.
Software Skills

Software Skills
These are examples of software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized from most to least important for your career preparation. How can you start learning or practicing the highest-priority tools so that you feel confident using them on the job?
Emerging Tech Skills
Accounting software:
Intuit QuickBooks
Electronic mail software:
Microsoft Outlook
Office suite software:
Microsoft Office software
Operating system software:
Microsoft Windows
Presentation software:
Microsoft PowerPoint
Spreadsheet software:
Microsoft Excel
Word processing software:
Microsoft Word
General Software Tools
Accounting software:
Bookkeeping software
Calendar and scheduling software:
Scheduling software
Computer aided design CAD software:
Computer aided design and drafting CADD software
Dental product design software
Computer aided manufacturing CAM software:
Dental product manufacturing software
Data base user interface and query software (scroll table below):
Database management software
Easy Solutions Easy Lab
Inventrix Labtrac
Jenmar International DL-Plus
LabMagic
Laboratory Systems Group Lab Manager
Mainstreet Systems & Software DentaLab/PC II
Electronic mail software:
Email software
Graphics or photo imaging software:
Computer imaging software
Graphics software
Internet browser software:
Web browser software
Word processing software:
Mainstreet Systems & Software DentaRX
Preparation Required
Preparation Required - How much preparation is needed to obtain this type of job?
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed

Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.

Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

These occupations involve following instructions and often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include dishwashers, landscaping and groundskeeping workers, counter and rental clerks, dental laboratory technicians, and security guards.
Education Required

Education Required - by frequency of educational attainment
This shows you details about the level of education most commonly held by workers in this occupation. How can you begin planning the educational pathway that will prepare you best for this type of work?
Frequency of Attainment (%) Level of Education
Frequency of Attainment: 51.7 (%) Level of Education: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Frequency of Attainment: 18.2 (%) Level of Education: Post-Secondary Certificate
Frequency of Attainment: 13.2 (%) Level of Education: Less than a High School Diploma
Frequency of Attainment: 7.4 (%) Level of Education: Some College Courses
Frequency of Attainment: 5.7 (%) Level of Education: Master's Degree
Frequency of Attainment: 1.9 (%) Level of Education: Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree
Frequency of Attainment: 1.9 (%) Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree
Training and Experience Required

Training and Experience Required - by frequency of training and work experience attainment
This section shows you how often different types of training and work experience are required for this occupation. How can you start gaining the kinds of experience and training that are most common for this type of work?
Frequency of Attainment (%) Level of Training and Work Experience
Frequency of Attainment: 26.2 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Frequency of Attainment: 23.9 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: None
Frequency of Attainment: 13.2 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Frequency of Attainment: 13.1 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
Frequency of Attainment: 12.4 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 10 years
Frequency of Attainment: 5.7 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Up to and including 1 month
Frequency of Attainment: 5.5 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Certifications
Certifications
These are examples of certifications that may be important for this occupation. How can you begin exploring which certifications fit your goals and what steps you would need to take to earn them?
Certified Dental Technician External Link
Certified Dental Technician External Link
Certified Preventative Functions Dental Assistant External Link
Recognized Graduate External Link
Professional Associations
Professional Associations
These associations connect people who work in this occupation or related fields. How can you start using these associations to learn more, build your network, or find mentoring opportunities?
National Association of Dental Laboratories (NADL) External Link
Job Listings
Job Listings and Similar Occupational Titles - scroll and click to identify common requirements, keywords, and skills in current job listings
Related Careers to Consider


Step 4 of 4: Career-Specific Resources

This section contains detailed external resources appropriate to "Dental Laboratory Technicians". Explore these resources to start learning more. Links are constantly updated, so bookmark this page.

Videos

Here is a listing of videos related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.


Resumes

Here are resources that allow you to see example resumes for this occupation. It may be helpful to see examples from others who have this type of experience.


Job Description

Here are resources that provide job descriptions, which are vital for resume and interview preparation.


Interviews

There are many great resources that can help guide you through the interview process. These links provide help in preparing and performing an effective interview, specific to this occupation.


Salary Data

Here are links to help you identify salary ranges for this occupation. These data are necessary prior to effective salary negotiations.


Raises

Here are resources that help you to prepare to ask for a raise. These links will help you to prepare for the salary negotiation process.


Jobs

Here are resources that lead to links for actual jobs related to "Dental Laboratory Technicians". Use these links to find a job.


Jobs

Here are resources that lead to links for actual jobs related to "Dental Laboratory Technicians". Use these links to find a job.


Classifieds

There are various sources for job classified ads. These links should help get you started to find a job for this occupation.


Step-by-Step

Here are links to help guide you, step-by-step, to become a(n): Dental Laboratory Technicians


Career Change

Here are resources to help you prepare for a career change. It is helpful to look carefully at the information provided in Section 3: Career Change (detailed previously on this page) prior to using these links. There is much to learn ...


LinkedIn®

Here are links to various posts and groups from LinkedIn ® that relate to this occupation. Great way to start building professional contacts in the field that might be most appropriate for you.


Career Path

Here are links to various resources to help you explore the career path related to the "Dental Laboratory Technicians" occupation.






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