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Dental Support Services at Catawba Valley Community College

Hickory, NC · Public · Associate Degree · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

with a smaller student body of 3,517 in Hickory, NC.

Program Analysis

Graduates of Catawba Valley Community College's Dental Support Services program earn $55,128/yr in their first year — 51% above the $36,429 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

The 121.8x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 24% task exposure — and the 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Dental Support Services graduates.

Ranked #25 out of 513 programs, Catawba Valley Community College's Dental Support Services program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

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

73 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
69
Low End
73
Score
73
High End
Earnings $55,128/yr (51% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$55K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
121.8x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
4 of 4
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$4,734
Out-of-state: $15,486
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,508
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

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

View all 513 schools offering Dental Support Services →

Dental Support Services at Other Schools

Chabot College ($85,175) Shoreline Community College ($78,372) Community College of Denver ($76,712) Cabrillo College ($74,741) Concorde Career College-San Bernardino ($73,660) Concorde Career College-Garden Grove ($72,160) Pima Medical Institute-Tucson ($71,216) Pima Medical Institute-Seattle ($71,216)

Other Majors at Catawba Valley Community College

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($64,707) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($52,273) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($41,425) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($41,191) Accounting and Related Services ($35,972) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($32,230) Health and Medical Administrative Services ($29,469) Health and Medical Administrative Services ($27,562)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Dental Support Services degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Catawba Valley Community College's Dental Support Services program score?
This program scores 73/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Dental Support Services nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
Is Catawba Valley Community College one of the best schools for Dental Support Services?
Ranked #25 of 513 programs nationally, Catawba Valley Community College lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Can I learn Dental Support Services through an apprenticeship instead?
There are 4 registered apprenticeships connected to Dental Support Services occupations. 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 Support Services graduates?
With approximately 99,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Dental Support Services offers a large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →