Dental Support Services at Tarrant County College District

Fort Worth, TX · Public · Associate Degree · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

one of the larger campuses at 40,214 students in Fort Worth, TX.

Program Analysis

Tarrant County College District Dental Support Services graduates command $65,537/yr out of the gate, well above the $36,429 national median. That 80% premium suggests the program's industry reputation carries real labor-market weight.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 198.4x 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.

Ranked #4 of 513 Dental Support Services programs nationally, Tarrant County College District sits in the top 1% — one of the strongest programs in the country by financial outcomes.

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.

77 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
73
Low End
77
Score
77
High End
Earnings $65,537/yr (80% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$66K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
198.4x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
4 of 4
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$3,456
Out-of-state: $16,470
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$60,094
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

Dental Support Services at Other Schools

Other Majors at Tarrant County College District

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Tarrant County College District's Dental Support Services program score?
This program scores 77/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Dental Support Services nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
What makes Tarrant County College District's Dental Support Services program stand out?
Among 513 Dental Support Services programs, Tarrant County College District's #4 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Can I learn Dental Support Services through an apprenticeship instead?
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 →