Dental Assisting at Chemeketa Community College

Salem, OR · Public · Certificate · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

serving 6,457 students in Salem, OR.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $33,802 track close to the $36,429 national median for Dental Assisting programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 56.9x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Dental Assisting career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

A #204 ranking among 513 Dental Assisting programs places Chemeketa Community College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

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

56 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
54
Low End
56
Score
56
High End
Earnings $33,802/yr (-7% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$354K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
56.9x
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)
$6,210
Out-of-state: $13,905

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 Chemeketa Community College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Dental Assisting at Chemeketa Community College?
A score of 56/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Dental Assisting field.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Dental Assisting program at Chemeketa Community College?
Beyond Chemeketa Community College's classroom route, 4 registered apprenticeships map to Dental Assisting careers — including Dental Assistant (Alternate Title: Dental Specialist). Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
Will Dental Assisting graduates from Chemeketa Community College find jobs?
With approximately 99,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Dental Assisting offers a large employment pool. Chemeketa Community College graduates enter a market shaped by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →