Dental Support Services at Pearl River Community College

Poplarville, MS · Public · Associate Degree · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

a smaller institution with 4,725 students in Poplarville, MS.

Program Analysis

Pearl River Community College's Dental Support Services graduates start at $39,402/yr — above the $36,429 national average, though not by a wide margin.

With a 56.5x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Dental Support Services career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

A #170 ranking among 513 Dental Support Services programs places Pearl River Community College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

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

59 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
57
Low End
59
Score
59
High End
Earnings $39,402/yr (8% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$412K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
56.5x
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)
$7,300
Out-of-state: $11,300

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 Pearl River Community College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 59/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Dental Support Services at Pearl River Community College?
At 59/100, Pearl River Community College's Dental Support Services program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Can I learn Dental Support Services through an apprenticeship instead?
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.
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 →