Dental Assistant salary in Arizona
Dental Assistants in Arizona earn a median of $49,000 a year ($23.56 an hour), based on BLS data for 8,680 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,380 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $48,070. Arizona ranks 16th of 50 states for dental assistants pay. There are 2.7 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $50,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Arizona
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,500 | $18.51 |
| 25th percentile | $46,050 | $22.14 |
| Median | $49,000 | $23.56 |
| 75th percentile | $57,880 | $27.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,380 | $28.55 |
| Average (mean) | $50,280 | $24.17 |
Half of dental assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,083.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,041.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,884.62 |
| Weekly | $942.31 |
| Hourly | $23.56 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $49,000 salary, see how much house you can afford in Arizona at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Dental Assistant salary in cities in Arizona
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $49,760 | 6,270 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $48,900 | 150 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $47,520 | 300 |
| Tucson, AZ | $47,510 | 970 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | $47,070 | 370 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $45,620 | 80 |
| Yuma, AZ | $45,350 | 130 |
Highest-paying states for dental assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $65,270 |
| District of Columbia | $60,580 |
| Maine | $60,070 |
| New Hampshire | $59,530 |
| Oregon | $59,490 |
| Washington | $58,090 |
| Massachusetts | $57,980 |
| North Dakota | $57,770 |
| Alaska | $57,710 |
| Connecticut | $56,850 |
Related jobs in Arizona
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $45,940 | $22.09 |
| Phlebotomist | $46,260 | $22.24 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $38,250 | $18.39 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $49,940 | $24.01 |
| Massage Therapist | $62,400 | $30.00 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $46,790 | $22.50 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $43,360 | $20.85 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $36,550 | $17.57 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $36,420 | $17.51 |
| Nursing Assistant | $44,780 | $21.53 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $64,650 | $31.08 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $35,260 | $16.95 |
| Orderly | $37,380 | $17.97 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $73,490 | $35.33 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Arizona
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9091. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental assistant make in Arizona?
The median salary for dental assistants in Arizona is $49,000 a year, or $23.56 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Arizona?
The top 10% of dental assistants in Arizona earn at least $59,380 a year. The top 25% earn $57,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Arizona?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,500 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $46,050 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Arizona?
About 8,680 dental assistants are employed in Arizona, not counting the self-employed.