Dental Assisting at Pima Medical Institute-Houston

Houston, TX · Private for-profit · Certificate · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

a smaller institution with 1,019 students in Houston, TX.

Program Analysis

At $27,301 per year, Dental Assisting graduates from Pima Medical Institute-Houston earn below the $36,429 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

Some AI exposure exists in Dental Assisting's career paths, with 24% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 18% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $8,508 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Ranked #302 of 513 Dental Assisting programs, Pima Medical Institute-Houston falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $27,301 to $33,638 over five years — a 23% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

There are 4 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Dental Assisting, including Dental Assistant (Alternate Title: Dental Specialist) (median $47,300/yr). Apprenticeships offer an alternative route that combines paid work with structured training.

45 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
41
Low End
45
Score
45
High End
Earnings $27,301/yr (-25% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$349K
5.4% annual growth
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.

Median Debt at Graduation
$8,508
3.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$33,638
23% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Dental Assisting 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 →

Dental Assisting Career Guide

See the full career breakdown for Dental Assisting — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Pima Medical Institute-Houston and 512 other schools.

Read the full Dental Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Dental Assisting Overview

Dental Assisting at Other Schools

Other Majors at Pima Medical Institute-Houston

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Pima Medical Institute-Houston's Dental Assisting program score?
A score of 45/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Dental Assisting. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
Is Pima Medical Institute-Houston a good choice for Dental Assisting despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Pima Medical Institute-Houston'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 Assisting through an apprenticeship instead of Pima Medical Institute-Houston?
If Pima Medical Institute-Houston's tuition gives you pause, consider that 4 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Dental Assisting. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
How many job openings are there for Dental Assisting graduates?
At 99,500 annual openings, Dental Assisting has a large employment base. Pima Medical Institute-Houston graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →