Dental Assisting at Carrington College-Pleasant Hill Campus

Pleasant Hill, CA · Private for-profit · Certificate · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

with a smaller student body of 430 in Pleasant Hill, CA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $28,060 place Carrington College-Pleasant Hill Campus below the $36,429 national median for Dental Assisting — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Some AI exposure exists in Dental Assisting's career paths, with 24% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 23% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $28,060 far exceeding the $8,975 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #268 of 513 Dental Assisting programs, Carrington College-Pleasant Hill Campus falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $28,060 to $36,206 over five years — a 29% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

There are 4 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Dental Assisting, including Dental Assistant (Alternate Title: Dental Specialist) (median $47,300/yr). Apprenticeships offer an alternative route that combines paid work with structured training.

46 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
42
Low End
46
Score
46
High End
Earnings $28,060/yr (-23% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$380K
6.6% 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
$8,975
3.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$36,206
29% 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

Dental Assisting opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Dental Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Dental Assisting Overview

Dental Assisting at Other Schools

Other Majors at Carrington College-Pleasant Hill Campus

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Carrington College-Pleasant Hill Campus's Dental Assisting program score?
At 46/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Dental Assisting programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Can you still earn well with Dental Assisting from Carrington College-Pleasant Hill Campus?
Lower starting pay at Carrington College-Pleasant Hill Campus may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Are there apprenticeship options for Dental Assisting?
There are 4 registered apprenticeships connected to Dental Assisting occupations, such as Dental Assistant (Alternate Title: Dental Specialist) and Dental Laboratory Technician. 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 Assisting graduates?
With approximately 99,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Dental Assisting offers a large employment pool. Carrington College-Pleasant Hill Campus graduates enter a market shaped by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →