Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Casa Grande, AZ: $22.95 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Casa Grande, AZ runs $22.95 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,730 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Casa Grande's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.30 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,640 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Casa Grande, Arizona, dental assistant hourly pay is projected to be $22.95 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $23.84 per hour. This rate is crucial for part-time and per-diem dental assistants, allowing them to gauge their income based on the number of hours they work. A typical part-time schedule of three days a week amounts to approximately 24 hours, which translates to a steady income regardless of the setting—whether in general dental practices, pediatric dental offices, or specialized environments like oral surgery suites. The hourly range varies significantly, with entry-level dental assistants starting at around $17.46 and top earners reaching up to $29.53, emphasizing the diverse opportunities within Casa Grande's dental community.
About the Casa Grande Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.46 | $139.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.80 | $166.43 |
| Median (P50) | $22.95 | $183.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.79 | $222.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.53 | $236.23 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Casa Grande
Based on $22.95/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.95/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Casa Grande, AZ can expect to earn approximately $47,733 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,538. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Casa Grande.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Casa Grande
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $917.95 | $3,978 | $47,733 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $550.77 | $2,387 | $28,640 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $367.18 | $1,591 | $19,093 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Casa Grande) | $22.95 |
| Dental Hygienist (National Avg) | $42.45 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.14 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
Dental Assistants in Casa Grande, AZ earn a median of $47,730 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.73% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 2.60% below the Arizona state average of $49,004.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.95/hr = $28,640/year (purchasing power: $29,076).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,733/year (purchasing power: $48,460).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.55/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.25/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.95/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Casa Grande (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.55/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.06/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.89/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.75/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.22/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.25/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.95/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.67/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Casa Grande grew 19.9% from $18.55/hr (2019) to $22.25/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.67/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Casa Grande metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.14% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Dental Assistant in Casa Grande
Considering the potential earnings for part-time dental assistants in Casa Grande, working 24 hours a week could yield an annual income of around $28,569, which is notably less than a full-time employee's potential earnings. Per-diem dental assistant pay in Casa Grande typically ranges from $22 to $35 per hour, while those specializing in oral surgery or orthodontics can earn between $28 and $45. Hourly pay can further fluctuate based on the type of employer, with solo practices, large corporate dental service organizations (DSOs), and specialty offices all offering different compensation structures. Some dental assistants may choose to accept lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, while others might prioritize higher hourly pay without benefits. When negotiating pay, dental assistants in Casa Grande should be prepared to discuss their qualifications, including certifications from DANB or expanded functions, which could justify higher rates in a competitive job market.
More salary data for Casa Grande, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in Casa Grande in 2026?
How much do part-time dental assistants make in Casa Grande?
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH
Career Analyst
Maria Gonzalez has over 10 years of experience in dental assisting. She specializes in pediatric dentistry. She works in a private dental practice.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for dental assistants in Casa Grande. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Casa Grande is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.14%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental assistants (SOC 31-9091).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH, a licensed dental assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov