Dental Support Services at Great Lakes Institute of Technology

Erie, PA · Private for-profit · Certificate · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

a compact campus enrolling 303 students in Erie, PA.

Program Analysis

At $24,398 per year, Dental Support Services graduates from Great Lakes Institute of Technology earn below the $36,429 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

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 13% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $10,403 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Ranked #335 of 513 Dental Support Services programs, Great Lakes Institute of Technology falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $28,546 are relatively flat compared to the $24,398 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.

43 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
39
Low End
43
Score
43
High End
Earnings $24,398/yr (-33% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$293K
4.0% 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
$10,403
5.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$28,546
17% 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 Great Lakes Institute of Technology

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Great Lakes Institute of Technology's Dental Support Services program score?
A score of 43/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Dental Support Services. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
Is Great Lakes Institute of Technology a good choice for Dental Support Services despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at Great Lakes Institute of Technology may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Dental Support Services graduates?
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 →