Launch your dental career with free online training. Arizona dental assistants earn $50,040+ annually. Study at your pace, pay only when you're ready to certify.
Featured Image
800 x 600 recommended
Average Salary
$50,040/year
Job Growth
6 (2024-2034)
Dental Practices
4,200+
Population 65+
18.7
Training Cost
FREE
Grand Canyon State offers excellent opportunities for dental assistants with 4,200+ dental practices and a population where 18.7 are over 65.
Arizona dental assistants earn $50,040 annually on average, with experienced DAs earning $53,000 - $60,000.
6 projected job growth through 2034 as dental care demand increases across Arizona.
Complete training in 4-8 weeks online. No prior experience needed. Start your dental career fast.
Arizona requires dental assistants performing expanded functions to become Certified Dental Assistants through the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners. Basic dental assistants working under direct supervision need no formal credential. Arizona recognizes DANB certification and offers state-specific expanded function permits.
Arizona requires completion of an Arizona Board-approved radiography course and certification to expose dental X-rays. The Board accepts DANB's Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) certification. Dental assistants must work under general supervision of a licensed dentist when taking radiographs.
Largest market, highest demand
University of Arizona, diverse population
Affluent area, cosmetic dentistry focus
Fast-growing East Valley suburbs
Smaller market, NAU presence
Arizona offers diverse dental employment opportunities from DSO networks to academic institutions.
Employees: 1,500+
Facilities: 60+ locations
Location: Multiple AZ locations
Major DSO with extensive Arizona presence offering structured training and career paths.
View Careers →Employees: 800+
Facilities: 40+ locations
Location: Multiple AZ locations
Doctor-led DSO providing support services while dentists maintain clinical autonomy.
View Careers →Employees: 600+
Facilities: 30+ locations
Location: Phoenix, Tucson metros
Affordable care focused DSO serving diverse Arizona communities.
View Careers →Employees: 250+
Facilities: 1 dental school + clinics
Location: 5855 E Still Circle, Mesa, AZ 85206
A.T. Still University's dental school offering clinical education experience.
View Careers →Employees: 400+
Facilities: 25+ locations
Location: Multiple AZ locations
National DSO with strong Arizona presence through Bright Now! Dental brand.
View Careers →Employees: 150+
Facilities: 4 community clinics
Location: Phoenix metro
Urban Indian health organization serving Native American communities in Phoenix.
View Careers →Employees: 100+
Facilities: 3 locations
Location: Phoenix
HonorHealth's community health center serving underserved Phoenix populations.
View Careers →Employees: 6,000+
Facilities: 3,500+ practices
Location: Statewide
Diverse private practices from general to specialty dentistry across Arizona.
View Careers →Maria G.
Phoenix • Aspen Dental
"Started with no experience, now I'm training new DAs. EHired gave me the foundation I needed."
2024-11
Brandon T.
Scottsdale • Cosmetic Practice
"Love working in cosmetic dentistry. The pay is great and I learn something new every day."
2024-10
Ashley N.
Tucson • Western Dental
"Serving diverse patients is rewarding. The DSO structure gives me stability and growth opportunities."
2024-09
Arizona dental assistants earn an average of $50,040 annually ($24.06/hour). Entry-level positions start at $40,000-$45,500, while experienced DAs earn $53,000-$60,000. Scottsdale/Paradise Valley cosmetic practices pay premium wages up to $62,000+. Source: BLS OEWS May 2024.
Basic dental assistants in Arizona can work without certification under direct dentist supervision. However, Arizona requires certification for expanded functions and radiography. The Arizona Board of Dental Examiners oversees DA certification with multiple permit levels available.
EHired's free online program can be completed in 4-8 weeks at your own pace. Many Arizona students add radiography certification (Board-approved course required) and expanded function permits for maximum employability and earning potential.
Excellent! 6% projected growth through 2034 with strong fundamentals: Arizona's rapid population growth, 18.7% over age 65, and major DSO expansion create consistent demand. Phoenix metro alone has 4,200+ dental practices with continuous hiring.
Yes! EHired's training is completely free. You only pay for optional certifications: DANB exams ($350-400), Arizona radiography certification, or expanded function permits. Many Arizona employers—especially DSOs—reimburse certification costs for employees.
Scottsdale and Paradise Valley lead with $52,000-$62,000, driven by affluent patients and cosmetic dentistry practices. Phoenix metro averages $48,000-$56,000. Tucson offers $45,000-$52,000 with University of Arizona influence. Remote areas may offer housing incentives.
Arizona offers tiered expanded functions: Basic DAs assist chairside and sterilize instruments. Certified DAs can perform coronal polishing, apply topical fluoride, place sealants, and take impressions. Additional permits allow expanded restorative functions under dentist supervision.
Yes! Arizona—especially Scottsdale—is known for cosmetic dentistry, creating opportunities for DAs interested in veneers, whitening, and smile makeovers. Cosmetic practices often pay premium wages and provide specialized training in aesthetic procedures.
Join thousands of Arizona residents who launched their dental assisting careers with our free training.
Enroll Free Today — No Credit Card RequiredArizona's dental workforce serves one of America's fastest-growing states, with approximately 7.4 million residents and 4,200+ dental practices. The Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler metro area contains the vast majority of dental employment opportunities.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports Arizona employed approximately 11,500 dental assistants in May 2024, earning a median annual wage of $50,040. This positions Arizona above the national median, reflecting strong demand and cost of living considerations.
Arizona's dental landscape features significant DSO presence. Aspen Dental, Heartland Dental, Western Dental, and Smile Brands operate 150+ combined locations statewide, providing structured employment opportunities with benefits and career advancement paths.
A.T. Still University's Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health in Mesa represents Arizona's only dental school, training dentists and providing clinical education opportunities for dental assistants interested in academic settings.
Arizona's 18.7% population over age 65 creates substantial demand for dental services, particularly restorative and prosthetic procedures. This aging demographic, combined with continued population migration from other states, supports strong job growth projections.
Scottsdale and Paradise Valley have developed reputations for cosmetic dentistry excellence, attracting patients nationally and creating premium employment opportunities for dental assistants with aesthetic procedure experience.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023; BLS OEWS May 2024; ADA Health Policy Institute; DANB.