Dental Assisting at Parkland College

At $47,133 per year, Dental Assisting graduates from Parkland College significantly outpace the $36,429 national average for this trade, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

With a 61.7x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 7% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Dental Assisting career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

The median debt load of $12,600 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Parkland College ranks #98 among 513 Dental Assisting programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The limited growth from $47,133 to $52,300 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

For students considering alternatives, 4 registered apprenticeship programs align with Dental Assisting careers — offering paid training instead of tuition costs.