Dental Support Services at Florida State College at Jacksonville

Jacksonville, FL · Public · Associate Degree · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

enrolling 17,739 students in Jacksonville, FL.

Program Analysis

Florida State College at Jacksonville Dental Support Services graduates command $59,330/yr out of the gate, well above the $36,429 national median. That 63% premium suggests the program's industry reputation carries real labor-market weight.

With a 110.9x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 3% 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.

Florida State College at Jacksonville ranks #21 among 513 Dental Support Services programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The limited growth from $59,330 to $63,386 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

For students considering alternatives, 4 registered apprenticeship programs align with Dental Support Services careers — offering paid training instead of tuition costs.

73 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
69
Low End
73
Score
73
High End
Earnings $59,330/yr (63% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$640K
1.7% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
111.2x
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)
$5,756
Out-of-state: $19,984
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$63,386
7% 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 Florida State College at Jacksonville

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Florida State College at Jacksonville's Dental Support Services program score?
A score of 73/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Florida State College at Jacksonville's Dental Support Services graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
Why does Florida State College at Jacksonville rank so high for Dental Support Services?
Ranked #21 of 513 programs nationally, Florida State College at Jacksonville lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Can I learn Dental Support Services through an apprenticeship instead?
There are 4 registered apprenticeships connected to Dental Support Services occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
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 →