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Dental Support Services at Erie Community College

Buffalo, NY · Public · Certificate · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

enrolling 5,906 students in Buffalo, NY.

Program Analysis

At $30,938 per year, Dental Support Services graduates from Erie Community College earn below the $36,429 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

With a 53.1x 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 #220 ranking among 513 Dental Support Services programs places Erie 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.

53 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
51
Low End
53
Score
53
High End
Earnings $30,938/yr (-15% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$324K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
53.1x
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)
$6,100
Out-of-state: $11,300

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 Erie Community College

Criminal Justice and Corrections ($70,012) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($69,885) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($58,695) Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection ($44,535) Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies ($43,237) Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technology ($39,218) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($35,253) Health and Medical Administrative Services ($34,484)

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Compare Dental Support Services degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Erie Community College's Dental Support Services program score?
At 53/100, Erie Community College's Dental Support Services program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Why are Dental Support Services earnings lower at Erie Community College?
Starting salary is one data point. If Erie Community College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
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?
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 →