Dental Assisting at Pima Medical Institute-Mesa

Mesa, AZ · Private for-profit · Certificate · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

a compact campus enrolling 721 students in Mesa, AZ.

Program Analysis

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

AI risk is moderate — 24% task exposure — and the 18% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Dental Assisting graduates.

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.

At #285 out of 513 programs, Pima Medical Institute-Mesa's financial outcomes for Dental Assisting trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $27,301 to $33,638 shows 23% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

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

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

What can you do with a Dental Assisting credential from Pima Medical Institute-Mesa? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Dental Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Dental Assisting Overview

Dental Assisting at Other Schools

Other Majors at Pima Medical Institute-Mesa

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 45/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Dental Assisting at Pima Medical Institute-Mesa?
At 45/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Dental Assisting programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Is Pima Medical Institute-Mesa a good choice for Dental Assisting despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at Pima Medical Institute-Mesa may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Dental Assisting graduates?
Yes — 4 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Dental Assisting career paths, including Dental Assistant (Alternate Title: Dental Specialist). Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Pima Medical Institute-Mesa.
What's the job market like for Dental Assisting from Pima Medical Institute-Mesa?
Job availability for Dental Assisting is strong — 99,500 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Pima Medical Institute-Mesa graduates specifically, local market conditions in AZ may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →