Dental Assisting at Carrington College-Portland

Portland, OR · Private for-profit · Certificate · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

with a smaller student body of 295 in Portland, OR.

Program Analysis

At $30,326 per year, Dental Assisting graduates from Carrington College-Portland earn below the $36,429 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 11% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Dental Assisting career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

The median debt load of $8,927 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

A #252 ranking among 513 Dental Assisting programs places Carrington College-Portland in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The limited growth from $30,326 to $34,735 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

For students considering alternatives, 4 registered apprenticeship programs align with Dental Assisting careers — offering paid training instead of tuition costs.

47 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
43
Low End
47
Score
48
High End
Earnings $30,326/yr (-17% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$355K
3.5% annual growth
Viable Career Paths
4 of 4
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Median Debt at Graduation
$8,927
3.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$34,735
15% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Dental Assisting graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620 +17.3% 52%
Dental hygienists $94,260 +7.0% 81%
Dental laboratory technicians $48,310 -4.7% 96%
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
$105,620
+17.3% growth 52% AI-proof
Dental hygienists
$94,260
+7.0% growth 81% AI-proof
Dental laboratory technicians
$48,310
-4.7% growth 96% AI-proof

View all 4 career paths with full salary data →

Dental Assisting Career Guide

From day-one roles to senior positions, Dental Assisting careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering healthcare.

Read the full Dental Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Dental Assisting Overview

Dental Assisting at Other Schools

Other Majors at Carrington College-Portland

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Dental Assisting at Carrington College-Portland?
This program scores 47/100 — on the lower end for Dental Assisting. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
What's the typical debt for Dental Assisting graduates from Carrington College-Portland?
Median debt of just $8,927 against $30,326/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 4 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Is Carrington College-Portland a good choice for Dental Assisting despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at Carrington College-Portland may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Can I learn Dental Assisting through an apprenticeship instead of Carrington College-Portland?
There are 4 registered apprenticeships connected to Dental Assisting occupations, such as Dental Assistant (Alternate Title: Dental Specialist) and Dental Laboratory Technician. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Is there demand for Dental Assisting workers?
With approximately 99,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Dental Assisting offers a large employment pool. Carrington College-Portland graduates enter a market shaped by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →