Dental Support Services at Pima Medical Institute-Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs, CO · Private for-profit · Certificate · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

with a smaller student body of 339 in Colorado Springs, CO.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $27,301/yr fall 25% below the $36,429 national median for Dental Support Services. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 18% 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.

At $8,508 in median debt against $27,301 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #294 ranking among 513 Dental Support Services programs places Pima Medical Institute-Colorado Springs in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 23% earnings increase from $27,301 to $33,638 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

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

45 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
41
Low End
45
Score
45
High End
Earnings $27,301/yr (-25% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$349K
5.4% 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
$8,508
3.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$33,638
23% 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 Pima Medical Institute-Colorado Springs

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Dental Support Services at Pima Medical Institute-Colorado Springs?
At 45/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Dental Support Services programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Why are Dental Support Services earnings lower at Pima Medical Institute-Colorado Springs?
Starting salary is one data point. If Pima Medical Institute-Colorado Springs's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Are there apprenticeship options for Dental Support Services?
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 →