Dental Assisting at Clover Park Technical College

Lakewood, WA · Public · Associate Degree · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

with a smaller student body of 2,417 in Lakewood, WA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $36,180 track close to the $36,429 national median for Dental Assisting programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 28.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Dental Assisting programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Dental Assisting's career paths, with 24% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 0% gap from the optimistic case.

At #240 of 513 Dental Assisting programs, Clover Park Technical College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

There are 4 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Dental Assisting, including Dental Assistant (Alternate Title: Dental Specialist) (median $47,300/yr). Apprenticeships offer an alternative route that combines paid work with structured training.

50 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
48
Low End
50
Score
50
High End
Earnings $36,180/yr (-1% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$379K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
28.5x
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
$13,268

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

See the full career breakdown for Dental Assisting — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Clover Park Technical College and 512 other schools.

Read the full Dental Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Dental Assisting Overview

Dental Assisting at Other Schools

Other Majors at Clover Park Technical College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Clover Park Technical College's Dental Assisting program score?
A score of 50/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Dental Assisting field.
Are there apprenticeship options for Dental Assisting?
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 Clover Park Technical College.
Will Dental Assisting graduates from Clover Park Technical College find jobs?
Job availability for Dental Assisting is strong — 99,500 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Clover Park Technical College graduates specifically, local market conditions in WA may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →