Dental Assistant Salary in Arizona: $50,667 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Arizona's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median dental assistant pay sits at $50,667/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9091. Because Arizona sits at BEA RPP 98.5 (1% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $51,439 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Chandler ($50,108), Scottsdale ($50,069), Glendale ($49,892).
In 2026, dental assistants in Arizona are projected to earn an average median salary of $50,668, which exceeds the national median of $49,579 by 2.2%. The disparity in salaries across the state varies significantly, with Chandler offering the highest average at $51,681, while Sedona has the lowest at $46,000, creating a salary gap of $5,681. This difference can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for dental services, and the concentration of dental practices in metropolitan versus rural areas. Arizona features state licensing requirements that ensure a regulated scope of practice for dental assistants, which helps maintain professional standards. Furthermore, with a projected annual growth rate of 3.14%, the job market for dental assistants remains strong, driven by an increasing population and ongoing advancements in dental technology. The total number of employed dental assistants in the state is projected at 8,834, with salaries in top cities like Scottsdale at $51,641, Glendale at $51,459, Phoenix at $51,322, and Mesa at $51,074 reflecting the high demand for dental care services in these urban areas. Overall, the outlook for dental assistants in Arizona remains positive.
Arizona Dental Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Arizona: $35,899 (lowest entry-level) to $69,111 (highest top earner)
Arizona vs National Average
Arizona dental assistants earn 2.19% more than the national median (+$1,088/year difference).
Arizona Dental Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Dental Assistant salaries in Arizona range from $40,814 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $60,858 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $50,667. The Arizona median is $1,088 above the US national median of $49,579. The average hourly rate is $24.36/hr. Approximately 8,834 dental assistants are employed across 33 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$42,421
2025 BLS Actual
$49,125
2026 Current Est.
$50,667
2019–2027 Growth
+23.2%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Arizona (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,421 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,078 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,052 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,315 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,924 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,480 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,125 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,667 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,258 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arizona metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 15.8% from $42,421 (2019) to $49,125 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,258 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,837 (23.19%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arizona metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.14% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Arizona
Lowest Paying Cities in Arizona
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Sedona | $46,000 |
| Nogales | $46,159 |
| Oro Valley | $46,450 |
| Yuma | $46,774 |
| Sierra Vista | $47,052 |
Best Value Cities for Dental Assistants in Arizona
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Arizona cities offer the most purchasing power for dental assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sierra Vista | $47,052 | 89.243 | $52,723 |
| Chandler | $51,681 | 98.5 | $52,468 |
| Scottsdale | $51,641 | 98.5 | $52,427 |
| Glendale | $51,459 | 98.5 | $52,243 |
| Mesa | $51,074 | 98.5 | $51,852 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Arizona
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $40,814 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $50,667 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $60,858 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Arizona metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 33 Cities in Arizona
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chandler | $51,681 |
| 2 | Scottsdale | $51,641 |
| 3 | Glendale | $51,459 |
| 4 | Phoenix | $51,322 |
| 5 | Mesa | $51,074 |
| 6 | Flagstaff | $50,435 |
| 7 | Gilbert | $50,244 |
| 8 | Peoria | $50,080 |
| 9 | Maricopa | $49,670 |
| 10 | Avondale | $49,597 |
| 11 | Marana | $49,410 |
| 12 | San Tan Valley | $49,267 |
| 13 | Tempe | $49,209 |
| 14 | Prescott Valley | $49,012 |
| 15 | Tucson | $49,002 |
| 16 | Surprise | $48,896 |
| 17 | Goodyear | $48,820 |
| 18 | Prescott | $48,751 |
| 19 | Queen Creek | $48,615 |
| 20 | Lake Havasu City | $48,548 |
| 21 | Kingman | $48,407 |
| 22 | Buckeye | $48,160 |
| 23 | Florence | $47,834 |
| 24 | Casa Grande | $47,730 |
| 25 | Bullhead City | $47,724 |
| 26 | El Mirage | $47,510 |
| 27 | Sahuarita | $47,305 |
| 28 | Apache Junction | $47,244 |
| 29 | Sierra Vista | $47,052 |
| 30 | Yuma | $46,774 |
| 31 | Oro Valley | $46,450 |
| 32 | Nogales | $46,159 |
| 33 | Sedona | $46,000 |
More Arizona Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced dental assistants.
Compare Cities in Arizona
View all comparisons →Explore More Dental Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental assistants make in Arizona in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for dental assistants in Arizona?
How does Arizona dental assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level dental assistant salary in Arizona?
How many dental assistants are employed in Arizona?
Which Arizona city offers the best value for dental assistants?
Written by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH
Career Analyst
Maria Gonzalez has over 10 years of experience in dental assisting. She specializes in pediatric dentistry. She works in a private dental practice.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 dental assistant compensation across Arizona. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 metro areas — larger metro areas with more dental assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.14%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental assistants (SOC 31-9091).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH, a licensed dental assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov