Home › Central New Mexico Community College › Dental Support Services

Dental Support Services at Central New Mexico Community College

Albuquerque, NM · Public · Certificate · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

with a mid-sized student body of 15,246 in Albuquerque, NM.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $27,816 place Central New Mexico Community College below the $36,429 national median for Dental Support Services — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 191.8x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 24% task exposure — and the 22% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Dental Support Services graduates.

Ranked #118 out of 513 programs, Central New Mexico Community College's Dental Support Services program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $27,816 to $35,755 shows 29% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

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

62 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
57
Low End
62
Score
62
High End
Earnings $27,816/yr (-24% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$375K
6.5% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
193.9x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
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.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$1,934
Out-of-state: $8,366
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$35,755
29% 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

View all 513 schools offering Dental Support Services →

Dental Support Services at Other Schools

Chabot College ($85,175) Shoreline Community College ($78,372) Community College of Denver ($76,712) Cabrillo College ($74,741) Concorde Career College-San Bernardino ($73,660) Concorde Career College-Garden Grove ($72,160) Pima Medical Institute-Tucson ($71,216) Pima Medical Institute-Seattle ($71,216)

Other Majors at Central New Mexico Community College

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($74,923) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($57,486) Precision Metal Working ($42,162) Accounting and Related Services ($40,511) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($37,010) Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies ($36,594) Criminal Justice and Corrections ($35,865) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($34,156)

Explore the Degree Alternative

Compare Dental Support Services degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Dental Support Services at Central New Mexico Community College?
This program scores 62/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Dental Support Services graduates.
Is Central New Mexico Community College one of the best schools for Dental Support Services?
The #118 ranking out of 513 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Why are Dental Support Services earnings lower at Central New Mexico Community College?
Starting salary is one data point. If Central New Mexico Community College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Can I learn Dental Support Services through an apprenticeship instead?
Yes — 4 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Dental Support Services career paths, including Dental Assistant (Alternate Title: Dental Specialist). Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
Is there demand for Dental Support Services workers?
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 →