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Dental Support Services at Pima Community College

Tucson, AZ · Public · Certificate · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

serving 13,869 students in Tucson, AZ.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $26,087 place Pima Community College below the $36,429 national median for Dental Support Services — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 179.6x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 24% task exposure — and the 37% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Dental Support Services graduates.

Ranked #148 out of 513 programs, Pima Community College's Dental Support Services offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth from $26,087 to $39,434 over five years (51% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.

Dental Support Services connects to 4 apprenticeship options. The earn-while-you-learn model can be a strong alternative or complement to a certificate program.

60 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
55
Low End
60
Score
60
High End
Earnings $26,087/yr (-28% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$434K
10.9% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
183.0x
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)
$2,370
Out-of-state: $7,686
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$39,434
51% 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

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 Pima Community College

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($73,629) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($57,131) Criminal Justice and Corrections ($53,544) Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies ($52,673) Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants ($47,205) Criminal Justice and Corrections ($42,096) Precision Metal Working ($41,132) Health and Medical Administrative Services ($39,413)

Explore the Degree Alternative

Compare Dental Support Services degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 60/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Dental Support Services at Pima Community College?
A score of 60/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Dental Support Services field.
Is Pima Community College a good choice for Dental Support Services despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Pima 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.
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.
How sensitive is Dental Support Services to AI disruption?
Our model shows a 37% gap between best and worst-case decade earnings. AI is unlikely to eliminate Dental Support Services careers, but it could reduce positions in some specializations.
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 →