Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Gilbert, AZ: $24.16 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Gilbert, AZ runs $24.16 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,244 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Gilbert's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,146 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gilbert, AZ, the dental assistant hourly pay is projected to be $24.16 in 2026, which slightly surpasses the national median hourly rate of $23.84. For part-time dental assistants working three days a week, this translates to approximately $478.08 per week based on a typical 32-hour schedule. This hourly rate also significantly benefits professionals working in various settings, such as general dentistry operatory rooms, pediatric offices, or specialized oral surgery centers. Hourly pay in Gilbert ranges from $18.59 for entry-level positions to $33.22 for those at the higher end of the scale, indicating a promising path for career advancement in the dental field, especially given the still-evolving landscape of dental health care in Arizona.
About the Gilbert 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) | $18.59 | $148.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.22 | $177.73 |
| Median (P50) | $24.16 | $193.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.30 | $242.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.22 | $265.77 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gilbert
Based on $24.16/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.16/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gilbert, AZ can expect to earn approximately $50,243 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,986. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Gilbert.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gilbert
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $966.22 | $4,187 | $50,243 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $579.73 | $2,512 | $30,146 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $386.49 | $1,675 | $20,097 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Gilbert) | $24.16 |
| 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 Gilbert, AZ earn a median of $50,244 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.34% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 2.50% above the Arizona state average of $49,018.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.16/hr = $30,146/year (purchasing power: $30,605).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,243/year (purchasing power: $51,008).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.53/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.42/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.16/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Gilbert (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.53/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.06/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.84/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.84/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.67/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.42/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.16/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.91/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Gilbert grew 19.9% from $19.53/hr (2019) to $23.42/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.91/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 Gilbert 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 Gilbert
In terms of income dynamics, part-time dental assistants in Gilbert can earn about $24,000 annually if they work 24 hours a week, which is considerably less than their full-time counterparts. Moreover, per diem dental assistant pay in Gilbert often falls between $22 and $35 hourly, with those in specialized fields like orthodontics and oral surgery commanding rates of $28 to $45 per hour. The earnings can vary significantly based on the employer type, with general practices typically offering lower rates compared to larger DSO chains like Heartland and Aspen that may standardize pay across locations. Health benefits often factor heavily into pay negotiations; some workers may receive lower hourly wages but gain comprehensive health insurance, while others opt for higher pay without benefits. For dental assistants in Gilbert, understanding market expectations and browsing temp agencies can enhance both job satisfaction and financial security, especially as they explore varied pathways in the profession and contemplate opportunities for certifications through the DANB or advancement through expanded function authority as EFDA credentialing becomes more prevalent.
More salary data for Gilbert, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in Gilbert in 2026?
How much do part-time dental assistants make in Gilbert?
Are dental assistants in Gilbert paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental assistant make per year in Gilbert?
Do dental assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Gilbert?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Arizona
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 Gilbert. 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 Gilbert 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