Dental Support Services 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 Support Services. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 12% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Dental Support Services 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 Support Services 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 Support Services 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 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-Phoenix

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 Support Services at Pima Medical Institute-Phoenix?
A score of 47/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Dental Support Services. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
What's the typical debt for Dental Support Services graduates from Pima Medical Institute-Phoenix?
At $8,192 in median debt, Dental Support Services 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 Support Services 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 Support Services through an apprenticeship instead?
Yes — 4 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Dental Support Services career paths, including Dental Assistant (Alternate Title: Dental Specialist). Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
How many job openings are there for Dental Support Services graduates?
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 →