Dental Support Services 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 Support Services 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 Support Services'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 Support Services 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 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.

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 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 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 Support Services program score?
A score of 45/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Dental Support Services. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
Is Pima Medical Institute-Houston a good choice for Dental Support Services 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.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Dental Support Services graduates?
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 many job openings are there for Dental Support Services graduates?
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 →