Dental Assistant Salary in Glendale, AZ: $51,459 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Glendale, AZ earns a median $51,459/year (≈ $24.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Glendale's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $52,243 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% above the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Glendale, Arizona, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $51,459, which is a notable 3.79% higher than the national median of $49,579. Salaries for this role can range from $37,406 at the lower end (P10) to $68,124 at the high end (P90). These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, reflecting the influence of Arizona’s EFDA expanded function rules. Glendale's robust job market for dental assistants encourages competitive compensation, indicating a strong demand for skilled professionals in the field.
About the Glendale Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,406 | $17.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,755 | $22.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,459 | $24.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,873 | $30.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68,124 | $32.75 |
Median Salary Position
3.79% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Glendale
In Glendale, AZ, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,718 (2026 est.). At $51,459, the local median is 3.79% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Glendale: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Glendale Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Glendale median: $51,459/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Glendale Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $49,008 | +5.00% more |
| National Average | $49,579 | +3.79% more |
Dental Assistants in Glendale, AZ earn a median of $51,459 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.79% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 5.00% above the Arizona state average of $49,008.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Glendale has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Glendale, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $51,459 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,243 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,599
2025 BLS Actual
$49,892
2026 Current Est.
$51,459
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Glendale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,599 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,741 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,125 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,519 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,304 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,582 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,892 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,459 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,074 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Glendale metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $41,599 (2019) to $49,892 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,074 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,475 (27.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Glendale 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $37,406 – $45,755 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,755 – $51,459 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,459 – $62,873 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,873 – $68,124 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Glendale
The employment landscape for dental assistants in Glendale comprises about 50 professionals, highlighting a relatively stable workforce given the local demand for dental services. With a cost-of-living index of 98.5, living expenses are slightly below the national average, allowing for a more favorable purchasing power for local dental assistant pay compared to national trends. Notable employers in the area include general dental practices and DSO chains like Heartland and Aspen, which often provide tiered pay scales, leading to higher salaries for specialized roles such as oral surgery or orthodontic practices. The variance in pay can be attributed to factors such as specialty focus, potential EFDA certification, and roles that incorporate additional responsibilities like treatment coordinating. Aspiring dental assistants can prioritize obtaining an EFDA credential, as this can significantly boost earning potential in Glendale, AZ.
More salary data for Glendale, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $49,892 for dental assistantsin the Glendale metropolitan area. A 3.14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Glendale 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