Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Florence, AZ: $23.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Florence, AZ runs $23.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,834 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Florence's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.35 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,704 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Florence, Arizona, earn a median hourly pay of $23.00, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $23.84. This hourly rate allows for flexible work arrangements, particularly advantageous for part-time dental assistants who may choose to work three days a week. In a typical setting—whether in general dentistry operatories or pediatric clinics—this pay translates into a viable living, with entry-level positions starting around $17.69, while more experienced professionals can see their hourly earnings reach up to $29.77. Dental assistants in various environments, including orthodontic practices and oral surgery suites, can expect their hourly rates to vary based on experience, specialization, and the specific practice in which they are employed. These figures are reflective of estimates derived from annual salary data and the dynamics of the job market in Florence.
About the Florence 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) | $17.69 | $141.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.91 | $167.25 |
| Median (P50) | $23.00 | $184.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.15 | $217.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.77 | $238.13 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Florence
Based on $23.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.00/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Florence, AZ can expect to earn approximately $47,840 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,600. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Florence.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Florence
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $920.01 | $3,987 | $47,840 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $552.01 | $2,392 | $28,704 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $368.00 | $1,595 | $19,136 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Florence) | $23.00 |
| 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 Florence, AZ earn a median of $47,834 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.52% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 2.40% below the Arizona state average of $49,011.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.00/hr = $28,704/year (purchasing power: $29,141).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,840/year (purchasing power: $48,569).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.59/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.30/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Florence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.59/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.10/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.93/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.79/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.59/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.26/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.30/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.72/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Florence grew 19.9% from $18.59/hr (2019) to $22.30/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.72/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 Florence 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 Florence
Examining the part-time earning potential, a dental assistant working 24 hours a week would take home around $29,664 annually, significantly lower than full-time colleagues' earnings. The per diem dental assistant pay in Florence can range widely; those working agency or locum shifts typically charge between $22 and $35 per hour, with specialists in oral surgery or orthodontics commanding even higher rates of $28 to $45 per hour. In Florence, hourly rates vary considerably depending on the type of employer—general practices may offer different compensation levels compared to pediatric or periodontal practices. Many dental assistants face a choice between hourly pay with and without health benefits, impacting their overall financial well-being. For those negotiating their pay, it's beneficial to consider the trade-off between lower hourly rates with comprehensive health packages versus higher pay with no benefits, particularly in light of the competitive market shaped by DSO consolidations like Heartland and Pacific Dental.
More salary data for Florence, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in Florence in 2026?
How much do part-time dental assistants make in Florence?
Are dental assistants in Florence paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental assistant make per year in Florence?
Do dental assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Florence?
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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 Florence. 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 Florence 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