Dental Support Services at Central Georgia Technical College

Warner Robins, GA · Public · Associate Degree · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

enrolling 5,602 students in Warner Robins, GA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $48,057 put Central Georgia Technical College's Dental Support Services program 32% above the national median of $36,429 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 91.9x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Dental Support Services programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Dental Support Services's career paths, with 24% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 15% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $48,057 far exceeding the $12,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #59 of 513 nationally, this is a top-5% Dental Support Services program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $57,181 are relatively flat compared to the $48,057 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.

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

69 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
64
Low End
69
Score
69
High End
Earnings $48,057/yr (32% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$589K
4.4% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
92.6x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
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.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$6,360
Out-of-state: $11,160
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,000
3.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$57,181
19% 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 Central Georgia Technical College

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Central Georgia Technical College's Dental Support Services program score?
A score of 69/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Dental Support Services field.
How affordable is Dental Support Services at Central Georgia Technical College?
Median debt of just $12,000 against $48,057/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
What makes Central Georgia Technical College's Dental Support Services program stand out?
The #59 ranking out of 513 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Dental Support Services graduates?
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.
Is there demand for Dental Support Services workers?
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 →