How to Become A Dental Assistant in Arizona
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 certification options, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Dental Assistant in Arizona
How do I become a dental assistant in Arizona? Arizona requires credentials such as Dental X-Ray Laboratory Technician, Dental Consultant, Dental Hygienists. The licensing authority is the State Board of Dental Examiners 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Arizona? Yes. Arizona has licensing or registration requirements for dental assistants. The State Board of Dental Examiners oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
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.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: State Board of Dental Examiners
- Median wage (Arizona): $49,000 per year 1
Dental Assistant License Requirements in Arizona
The State Board of Dental Examiners oversees dental assistant licensing in Arizona 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Dental X-Ray Laboratory Technician | Reference: ARS 32-1201 |
| Dental Consultant | Reference: ARS 32-1234 |
| Dental Hygienists | |
| Dental Hygienist | Reference: ARS 32-1281 |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Dental Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Arizona
Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Arizona
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), dental assistants wages in Arizona vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler | 6,270 | $49,760 | $51,520 | $40,420 | $59,380 |
| Tucson | 970 | $47,510 | $46,740 | $37,580 | $56,580 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman | 370 | $47,070 | $46,060 | $37,590 | $57,020 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott | 300 | $47,520 | $47,240 | $38,140 | $56,810 |
| Flagstaff | 150 | $48,900 | $48,330 | $38,920 | $57,880 |
| Yuma | 130 | $45,350 | $44,160 | $36,390 | $52,590 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas | 80 | $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 2025.
Top Metros for Dental assistants in Arizona
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest dental assistant employment within Arizona according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler | 6,270 | $49,760 |
| Tucson | 970 | $47,510 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman | 370 | $47,070 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott | 300 | $47,520 |
| Flagstaff | 150 | $48,900 |
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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 apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited 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.
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
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
State Board of Dental Examiners - Licensing Information: https://dentalboard.az.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / 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) |