Dental Support Services 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 Support Services 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 Support Services 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 Support Services 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 Support Services 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 Support Services 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 →

About Dental Support Services Careers

Your career will likely begin chairside as a dental assistant. You’ll be the dentist’s right hand, preparing treatment rooms, sterilizing instruments, passing tools during procedures, and operating the suction hose. You'll also be a key patient contact, taking X-rays and making people feel at ease. Many professionals use this experience as a launchpad, returning to school to become a dental hygienist.

Read the full Dental Support Services career guide →

Compare & Explore

Dental Support Services Overview

Dental Support Services 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 Support Services at Carrington College-Portland?
This program scores 47/100 — on the lower end for Dental Support Services. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
What's the typical debt for Dental Support Services 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 Support Services 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.
Are there apprenticeship options for Dental Support Services?
There are 4 registered apprenticeships connected to Dental Support Services occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
How many job openings are there for Dental Support Services graduates?
The career paths mapped to Dental Support Services have roughly 99,500 combined annual openings nationally, making this a large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →