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Dental Support Services 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 Support Services 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 Support Services career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

A #204 ranking among 513 Dental Support Services 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 Support Services 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 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 Chemeketa Community College

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($79,890) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($75,797) Accounting and Related Services ($42,808) Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies ($35,827) Criminal Justice and Corrections ($33,406) Special Education and Teaching ($32,829) Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($29,163)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Dental Support Services degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Dental Support Services 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 Support Services field.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Dental Support Services graduates?
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 →