PayByState

Arizona · BLS SOC 31-9091

Dental Assistant salary in Arizona

Median $46,880 · Top 10% earn $59,500+ · Roughly 8,296 workers in Arizona. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Arizona median
$46,880
$22.54/hr
Top 10%
$59,500
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$32,780
Entry-level range
Real pay
$47,163
CoL-adjusted (RPP 99.4)

Arizona pays close to the U.S. median for dental assistants — $46,880 versus the national median of $47,350. Real purchasing power tracks roughly the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 8,296 dental assistants.

What drives dental assistant pay in Arizona

Arizona DA demand is growing with population. Phoenix metro dominates hiring; expanded function credentialing (EFDA) is recognized.

Arizona ranks #20 of 50 states

Where Arizona sits in the national distribution for dental assistant pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. Arizona
#19 Delaware $47,820 +$940
#18 Illinois $48,770 +$1,890
#17 Vermont $48,770 +$1,890
#20 Arizona (this page) $46,880 —
#23 Pennsylvania $46,400 −$480
#24 Utah $45,930 −$950
#25 Texas $45,460 −$1,420
See all 50 states →

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Education path for Arizona

The typical path is a postsecondary nondegree certificate (8–12 mo); on-the-job in some states, taking about 10 months. Tuition ranges from $1,000 (community college) to $12,000 (private accelerated). On the Arizona median of $46,880, payback periods are typically 0.8 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the Dental Assistant salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with Arizona selected.

Dental Assistant salary in Arizona — FAQ

What is the average dental assistant salary in Arizona?
The median dental assistant salary in Arizona is $46,880 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $32,780; the top 10% earn $59,500 or more. About 8,296 people work in this role across the state.
How does Arizona dental assistant pay compare to the national average?
Arizona's median of $46,880 is $470 below the U.S. national median of $47,350. After adjusting for Arizona's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 99.4), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $47,163.
Is dental assistant a good career in Arizona?
On the data: Arizona employs roughly 8,296 dental assistants, with a median wage of $46,880 and the top decile clearing $59,500. The role is projected to grow +7% nationally over the next decade. Whether it's "good" for you depends on whether the work suits you and whether you're positioned for the in-state metros that pay above the median.
What's the hourly rate for dental assistants in Arizona?
At the Arizona median of $46,880 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $22.54/hr. The top 10% earn around $28.61/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $15.76/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Arizona-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 31-9091: Dental Assistants), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where Arizona's RPP is 99.4 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.