How to Become a Dental Assistant in Arizona (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Arizona employs about 8,680 dental assistants earning a median $49,000 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Dental Assistant here means completing a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires, then applying through State Board of Dental Examiners.

Compare Dental Assistant Schools in Arizona

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)TuitionMedian grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
160.8Contact school for pricing$58,6566%Yes*70 mi
257.4Contact school for pricing$42,93772%—34 mi
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354.1Contact school for pricing$68,59616%Yes*64 mi
453.8Contact school for pricing$42,93765%—65 mi
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553.7Contact school for pricing$50,34525%Yes*33 mi
652.8Contact school for pricing$41,99142%Yes*82 mi
Sponsored Ad
752.7Contact school for pricing$58,19514%Yes*78 mi
850.2Contact school for pricing$38,25187%—66 mi
Sponsored Ad
943.4Contact school for pricing$39,60964%—33 mi
1041.9Contact school for pricing$39,60954%—64 mi
Sponsored Ad

Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

Arizona employs approximately 8,680 dental assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $49,000 1. Nationally, dental assistant employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 52,900 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Dental Assistant in Arizona, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Quick Answers About How to Become a Dental Assistant in Arizona

How to become a Dental Assistant in Arizona? Complete a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires. Apply through State Board of Dental Examiners.

How long does it take? Most people finish a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires. Confirm current hour totals with the program and State Board of Dental Examiners.

Do I need a license in Arizona? Yes. Arizona credentials this role through State Board of Dental Examiners 3. See the licensing section below.

What do dental assistants earn in Arizona? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Arizona is $49,000 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,500 and experienced professionals can earn $59,380 or more 1.

How to Become a Dental Assistant in Arizona

  1. Meet basic requirements. Most Arizona dental assisting programs expect a high school diploma or GED. Confirm age and background rules with State Board of Dental Examiners.
  2. Complete a dental assisting program or on-the-job training if the state allows it. Finish a certificate (often under a year) or associate program in Arizona. Prefer a CODA-accredited program. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
  3. Earn CDA and any state assistant credential. DANB CDA is the national exam. Some states also require RDA, a radiography permit, or expanded-functions (EFDA). Confirm current permits with State Board of Dental Examiners.
  4. Apply to the state dental board when registration is required. Some states register assistants; others only permit X-ray or expanded duties; some allow OJT with no statewide license. Do not treat a hygienist or dentist license as the assistant path.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Dental Assistant License Requirements in Arizona

Dental assistants in Arizona typically complete a short program or on-the-job training where allowed, then earn DANB CDA and any RDA or radiography permit State Board of Dental Examiners requires. See State Board of Dental Examiners 3.

Typical path

  1. Meet the program’s entry rules.

  2. Complete a dental assisting program or OJT if the state allows it.

  3. Earn DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit.

  4. Apply to State Board of Dental Examiners when registration or licensure is required.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with State Board of Dental Examiners before you enroll.

Dental Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Arizona

Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Arizona

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), dental assistants wages in Arizona vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler6,270$49,760$51,520$40,420$59,380
Tucson970$47,510$46,740$37,580$56,580
Lake Havasu City-Kingman370$47,070$46,060$37,590$57,020
Prescott Valley-Prescott300$47,520$47,240$38,140$56,810
Flagstaff150$48,900$48,330$38,920$57,880
Yuma130$45,350$44,160$36,390$52,590
Sierra Vista-Douglas80$45,620$45,160$36,750$56,590

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for dental assistants in Arizona? Arizona currently employs approximately 8,680 dental assistants 1. Nationally, dental assistant employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034 2.

Can I work as a dental assistant in Arizona with an out-of-state license? Contact the State Board of Dental Examiners for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Arizona? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Arizona.

How much do dental assistants earn in Arizona compared to the national average? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Arizona is $49,000, which is $1,700 above the national median of $47,300 according to BLS data 1.

In Arizona

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. State Board of Dental Examiners - Licensing Information: https://dentalboard.az.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)