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Dental Support Services 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 Support Services 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 Support Services programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Dental Support Services'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 Support Services programs, Clover Park Technical College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

There are 4 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Dental Support Services, 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 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 Clover Park Technical College

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($60,214) Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions ($56,725) Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants ($53,065) Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services ($43,425) Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions ($42,066) Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management ($41,752) Health and Medical Administrative Services ($27,062) Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services ($19,389)

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

How does Clover Park Technical College's Dental Support Services program score?
A score of 50/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Dental Support Services field.
Are there apprenticeship options for Dental Support Services?
Dental Support Services connects to 4 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
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 →