Dental Support Services at Community College of Philadelphia

Philadelphia, PA · Public · Associate Degree · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

enrolling 11,312 students in Philadelphia, PA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $34,849 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 63.0x 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 39% gap from the optimistic case.

At $14,500 in median debt against $34,849 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

At #186 of 513 Dental Support Services programs, Community College of Philadelphia scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $53,771 show a 54% jump from the $34,849 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

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.

58 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
50
Low End
58
Score
58
High End
Earnings $34,849/yr (-4% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$596K
11.5% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
64.3x
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)
$9,264
Out-of-state: $24,880
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,500
5.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,771
54% 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

Dental Support Services at Other Schools

Other Majors at Community College of Philadelphia

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Community College of Philadelphia's Dental Support Services program score?
At 58/100, Community College of Philadelphia's Dental Support Services program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Are there apprenticeship options for Dental Support Services?
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.
How sensitive is Dental Support Services to AI disruption?
AI sensitivity is moderate-to-notable: a 39% difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes. The base case — our most likely scenario — falls between these extremes.
Is there demand for Dental Support Services workers?
With approximately 99,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Dental Support Services offers a large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →