Dental Assisting at Pima Medical Institute-Tucson

Tucson, AZ · Private for-profit · Certificate · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

a smaller institution with 2,619 students in Tucson, AZ.

Program Analysis

Pima Medical Institute-Tucson's Dental Assisting graduates start at $27,301/yr, trailing the $36,429 national average by 25%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 18% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Dental Assisting career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $8,508 in median debt clears fast against $27,301 in annual earnings.

A #276 ranking among 513 Dental Assisting programs places Pima Medical Institute-Tucson 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 Assisting 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 Assisting 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 →

Dental Assisting Career Guide

Dental Assisting opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Dental Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Dental Assisting Overview

Dental Assisting at Other Schools

Other Majors at Pima Medical Institute-Tucson

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 45/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Dental Assisting at Pima Medical Institute-Tucson?
A score of 45/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Dental Assisting. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
Is Pima Medical Institute-Tucson a good choice for Dental Assisting despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Pima Medical Institute-Tucson's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Can I learn Dental Assisting through an apprenticeship instead of Pima Medical Institute-Tucson?
The DOL recognizes 4 apprenticeship pathways related to Dental Assisting. For students weighing Pima Medical Institute-Tucson's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
What's the job market like for Dental Assisting from Pima Medical Institute-Tucson?
With approximately 99,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Dental Assisting offers a large employment pool. Pima Medical Institute-Tucson graduates enter a market shaped by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →