Dental Assistant salary in Tucson, AZ
Dental Assistants in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn a median of $47,510 a year ($22.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 970 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,580 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 3% lower than the Arizona statewide median of $49,000. There are 2.5 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $46,740, close to the median.
Pay range for dental assistants in Tucson, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,580 | $18.07 |
| 25th percentile | $38,940 | $18.72 |
| Median | $47,510 | $22.84 |
| 75th percentile | $49,540 | $23.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,580 | $27.20 |
| Average (mean) | $46,740 | $22.47 |
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 | $3,959.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,979.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,827.31 |
| Weekly | $913.65 |
| Hourly | $22.84 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,510 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 other metro areas nearby
| 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 |
| 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 |
See Dental Assistant pay in every state or the Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Tucson, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $44,380 | $21.34 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,430 | $17.51 |
| Massage Therapist | $58,610 | $28.18 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $53,100 | $25.53 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $44,610 | $21.45 |
| Phlebotomist | $46,200 | $22.21 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $39,570 | $19.02 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $38,760 | $18.64 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $34,420 | $16.55 |
| Nursing Assistant | $42,560 | $20.46 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $65,220 | $31.36 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $71,480 | $34.37 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $36,550 | $17.57 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Tucson, AZ
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 Tucson, AZ?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Tucson, AZ metro area is $47,510 a year, or $22.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Tucson, AZ?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn at least $56,580 a year. The top 25% earn $49,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Tucson, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,580 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $38,940 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Tucson, AZ?
About 970 dental assistants are employed in the Tucson, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.