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Dental Support Services at Spokane Community College

Spokane, WA · Public · Certificate · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

a compact campus enrolling 4,114 students in Spokane, WA.

Program Analysis

Spokane Community College's Dental Support Services program produces graduates earning $34,974/yr — within striking distance of the $36,429 national average for this trade.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 90.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Dental Support Services programs nationally.

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 0% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $6,315 in median debt clears fast against $34,974 in annual earnings.

At #123 of 513 nationally, this is a top-5% Dental Support Services program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

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.

62 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
59
Low End
62
Score
62
High End
Earnings $34,974/yr (-4% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$35K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
90.2x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
4 of 4
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$4,057
Out-of-state: $5,494
Median Debt at Graduation
$6,315
2.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$34,315
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

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

View all 513 schools offering Dental Support Services →

Dental Support Services at Other Schools

Chabot College ($85,175) Shoreline Community College ($78,372) Community College of Denver ($76,712) Cabrillo College ($74,741) Concorde Career College-San Bernardino ($73,660) Concorde Career College-Garden Grove ($72,160) Pima Medical Institute-Tucson ($71,216) Pima Medical Institute-Seattle ($71,216)

Other Majors at Spokane Community College

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($77,999) Electrical and Power Transmission Installers ($66,921) Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians ($66,293) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($63,228) Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) ($42,862) Criminal Justice and Corrections ($41,451) Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies ($38,197) Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies ($37,228)

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Compare Dental Support Services degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Spokane Community College's Dental Support Services program score?
A score of 62/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Dental Support Services field.
What's the typical debt for Dental Support Services graduates from Spokane Community College?
At $6,315 in median debt, Dental Support Services graduates from Spokane Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Is Spokane Community College one of the best schools for Dental Support Services?
Ranked #123 of 513 programs nationally, Spokane Community College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Are there apprenticeship options for Dental Support Services?
Dental Support Services connects to 4 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
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 →