Dental Assisting at Carrington College-Spokane

Spokane, WA · Private for-profit · Certificate · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

with a smaller student body of 296 in Spokane, WA.

Program Analysis

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

AI risk is moderate — 24% task exposure — and the 11% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Dental Assisting graduates.

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.

Ranked #253 out of 513 programs, Carrington College-Spokane's Dental Assisting offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth is modest: $30,326 to $34,735 over five years (15% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

Dental Assisting connects to 4 apprenticeship options. The earn-while-you-learn model can be a strong alternative or complement to a certificate program.

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

Dental Assisting opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Dental Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Dental Assisting Overview

Dental Assisting at Other Schools

Other Majors at Carrington College-Spokane

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Carrington College-Spokane's Dental Assisting program score?
A score of 47/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Dental Assisting. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
What's the typical debt for Dental Assisting graduates from Carrington College-Spokane?
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.
Can you still earn well with Dental Assisting from Carrington College-Spokane?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Dental Assisting graduates?
Yes — 4 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Dental Assisting career paths, including Dental Assistant (Alternate Title: Dental Specialist). Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Carrington College-Spokane.
How many job openings are there for Dental Assisting graduates?
With approximately 99,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Dental Assisting offers a large employment pool. Carrington College-Spokane graduates enter a market shaped by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →