Dental Support Services

513 schools compared · Average earnings $36,430/yr

What Dental Support Services Graduates Do

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.

As a hygienist, your role becomes more independent, focusing on preventative care. You’ll use specialized tools like scalers and polishers to perform cleanings, screen for oral diseases, and educate patients. This direct patient care is a hands-on skill that can't be automated or performed remotely, and with this advancement comes a significant jump in earning potential. The demand for skilled professionals across the field is strong and growing, offering a stable career with pathways to specialize in areas like orthodontics, manage an office, or eventually teach future dental professionals at a college.

Schools Offering
513
Avg Grad Earnings
$36,430/yr
Avg TradeSchoolOutlook Score
43/100
AI-Proof Rating
Resilient
69% of tasks AI-shielded
Apprenticeship Paths
4

Registered Apprenticeship Pathways

The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 4 registered apprenticeship occupations related to Dental Support Services. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn — most have zero tuition costs and pay wages from day one.

Apprenticeship Training Hours Type Salary RangeSalary Growth
Dental Assistant (Alternate Title: Dental Specialist)
RAPIDS 101
2000 hrs
~1.0 yrs
Time $40K$47,300$57K 6.4%
Dental Laboratory Technician
RAPIDS 103
6000 hrs
~3.0 yrs
Time $39K$48,310$62K -4.7%
Finisher, Denture
RAPIDS 181
2000 hrs
~1.0 yrs
Time $39K$48,310$62K -4.7%
Orthodontic Technician
RAPIDS 375
4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs
Time $39K$48,310$62K -4.7%

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database (RAPIDS). Wages and job growth from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 projections.

Best Schools for Dental Support Services

Top 20 of 513 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and AI-proof analysis.

# School Score EarningsEarn ROI
1 Chabot College
Hayward, CA
79
75–80
$85,175/yr 349.1x
2 Cabrillo College
Aptos, CA
79
75–79
$74,741/yr 587.5x
3 Southwestern College
Chula Vista, CA
78
74–78
$67,733/yr 251.0x
4 Tarrant County College District
Fort Worth, TX
77
73–77
$65,537/yr 172.9x
5 Mohave Community College
Kingman, AZ
76
73–77
$66,796/yr 155.4x
6 Hillsborough Community College
Tampa, FL
75
71–75
$62,731/yr 124.2x
7 Pima Community College
Tucson, AZ
75
72–75
$62,481/yr 134.2x
8 Pueblo Community College
Pueblo, CO
75
71–75
$62,355/yr 126.7x
9 Austin Community College District
Austin, TX
75
71–75
$60,475/yr 139.0x
10 Shoreline Community College
Shoreline, WA
74
71–74
$78,372/yr 92.3x
11 Palm Beach State College
Lake Worth, FL
74
70–74
$63,723/yr 119.4x
12 St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL
74
71–74
$62,093/yr 115.8x
13 Central Carolina Community College
Sanford, NC
74
71–74
$60,458/yr 117.4x
14 Guilford Technical Community College
Jamestown, NC
74
71–74
$59,473/yr 127.0x
15 Johnson County Community College
Overland Park, KS
74
70–74
$57,969/yr 131.7x
16 Mesa Community College
Mesa, AZ
74
70–74
$56,024/yr 135.0x
17 Houston Community College
Houston, TX
74
71–75
$56,005/yr 158.0x
18 Lewis and Clark Community College
Godfrey, IL
74
70–74
$53,786/yr 129.6x
19 Daytona State College
Daytona Beach, FL
73
70–73
$63,591/yr 94.7x
20 Florida State College at Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL
73
69–73
$59,330/yr 109.1x

Highest Earning Dental Support Services Programs

Schools where Dental Support Services graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.

Best ROI for Dental Support Services

Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Dental Support Services.

School ROI Multiple Earnings Score
Cabrillo College 587.5x $74,741/yr 79
Chabot College 349.1x $85,175/yr 79
Southwestern College 251.0x $67,733/yr 78
Cerritos College 249.5x $34,175/yr 67
Central New Mexico Community College 183.9x $27,816/yr 62
Tarrant County College District 172.9x $65,537/yr 77
Pima Community College 165.4x $26,087/yr 60
Houston Community College 158.0x $56,005/yr 74
Mohave Community College 155.4x $66,796/yr 76
Amarillo College 140.1x $42,484/yr 70

Related Majors

Explore similar fields of study.

Considering a 4-Year Degree?

Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Dental Support Services degree programs stack up on earnings, AI disruption risk, and ROI.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Dental Support Services graduates earn?
First-year earnings for Dental Support Services graduates average $36,430 annually, based on data from 513 programs. The range spans $10,926 at the low end to $85,175 at the top.
How safe is Dental Support Services from automation and AI?
Dental Support Services is rated "Resilient" for AI resilience — 69% of job tasks involve hands-on work shielded from AI automation. That means most career tasks in this field rely on skills AI cannot replicate.
Which school has the best Dental Support Services program?
Chabot College leads all 513 programs with a TradeSchoolOutlook Score of 79/100. Graduates earn $85,175/yr — the ranking weighs earnings, ROI, AI resilience, and job market size equally.
What's the ROI on a Dental Support Services program?
On average, Dental Support Services graduates earn 61.8x their in-state tuition over 10 years. This is a strong return on investment.
Data from College Scorecard, Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034, DOL RAPIDS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →