Dental Assisting at Pima Medical Institute-Phoenix

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

a smaller institution with 830 students in Phoenix, AZ.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $29,935/yr fall 18% below the $36,429 national median for Dental Assisting. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 12% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Dental Assisting career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $8,192 in median debt against $29,935 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #255 ranking among 513 Dental Assisting programs places Pima Medical Institute-Phoenix in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The limited growth from $29,935 to $34,871 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 Assisting careers — offering paid training instead of tuition costs.

47 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
43
Low End
47
Score
47
High End
Earnings $29,935/yr (-18% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$358K
3.9% 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
$8,192
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$34,871
16% 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-Phoenix? 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

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Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Dental Assisting at Pima Medical Institute-Phoenix?
A score of 47/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Dental Assisting. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
What's the typical debt for Dental Assisting graduates from Pima Medical Institute-Phoenix?
At $8,192 in median debt, Dental Assisting graduates from Pima Medical Institute-Phoenix carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Can you still earn well with Dental Assisting from Pima Medical Institute-Phoenix?
Lower starting pay at Pima Medical Institute-Phoenix may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Can I learn Dental Assisting through an apprenticeship instead of Pima Medical Institute-Phoenix?
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-Phoenix.
Is there demand for Dental Assisting workers?
The large job market (99,500 annual openings) works in favor of Dental Assisting graduates. The national outlook is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →