Dental Assistant Salaries in Arizona
With its sunny skies and warm climate, it’s no wonder that Arizona is one of the fastest-growing states in the U.S. That growing population is putting demand on healthcare and dental care services. Qualified dental assistants are needed here more than ever.
The employment statistics for dental assistants in Arizona demonstrate this high demand. Between 2016 and 2026, the number of employed dental assistants in the state is expected to grow by 32.9 percent. There should be over 1,000 new job openings each year.
The average dental assistant salary in Arizona is comparable to the national average. The top earners in the state make more than $52,000 per year compared to the average of $41,050.
| AreaName | Base Year | Employed | Projection Year | Projected Employment | Change | % Change | Projected Average Annual Job Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2018 | 346,000 | 2026 | 384,700 | 38,700 | 19.5% | 44,800 |
| Arizona | 2016 | 7,000 | 2026 | 9,300 | 2,300 | 32.9% | 1,110 |
| State | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | 351,470 | $19.79 | $41,170 | $27,980 | $33,440 | $40,080 | $48,550 | $56,930 |
| Arizona | 7,940 | $19.73 | $41,050 | $27,950 | $34,290 | $42,390 | $48,350 | $52,680 |
Dental assistants in Arizona earn the most on average working in the Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale metro area. This region also has the highest number of dental assistants. The region of both lowest employment and salary is in Sierra Vista and Douglas.
| Area | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff, AZ | 200 | $16.96 | $35,270 | $25,100 | $27,860 | $34,590 | $41,610 | $48,250 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | 240 | $18.16 | $37,760 | $31,550 | $33,960 | $37,360 | $41,980 | $47,620 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ | 6040 | $20.33 | $42,280 | $28,600 | $35,810 | $44,000 | $49,220 | $53,420 |
| Prescott, AZ | 200 | $17.78 | $36,980 | $27,170 | $30,610 | $36,410 | $44,060 | $50,040 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | 70 | $17.33 | $36,040 | $28,220 | $32,130 | $35,780 | $39,590 | $45,800 |
| Tucson, AZ | 710 | $17.56 | $36,520 | $24,800 | $30,210 | $37,260 | $42,830 | $48,230 |
| Yuma, AZ | 140 | $17.53 | $36,450 | $26,850 | $28,770 | $32,230 | $45,100 | $50,300 |
Dental assistants in Arizona earn more than pharmacy technicians, nursing assistants and medical assistants, by as much as $7,000 annually. However, physical therapist assistants earn nearly $2,000 more per year than dental assistants in the state.
| Occupation | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technicians | 8900 | $17.39 | $36,170 | $26,100 | $29,970 | $35,530 | $41,480 | $48,450 |
| Nursing Assistants | 14450 | $15.69 | $32,640 | $26,080 | $28,530 | $32,180 | $36,890 | $40,020 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | 2900 | $20.91 | $43,500 | $26,420 | $29,460 | $36,260 | $58,520 | $74,170 |
| Dental Assistants | 7940 | $19.73 | $41,050 | $27,950 | $34,290 | $42,390 | $48,350 | $52,680 |
| Medical Assistants | 17540 | $16.39 | $34,090 | $26,760 | $29,500 | $34,000 | $38,420 | $41,790 |