Dental Assistant Salary in Surprise, AZ: $48,896 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Surprise, AZ earns a median $48,896/year (≈ $23.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Surprise's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $49,641 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Surprise, Arizona, dental assistants can expect a median annual salary of $48,896, which is slightly below the national average of $49,579 for 2026. The salary range for dental assistants in this locality extends from $38,196 at the low end to $64,717 at the high end, reflecting the diversity of opportunities within the field. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, take into account local cost adjustments to provide a clearer picture of what professionals can earn in the Surprise area. Dentists specializing in oral surgery and orthodontics tend to offer higher compensation, which enhances earning potential for those entering these niche areas.
About the Surprise Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,196 | $18.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,180 | $21.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,896 | $23.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,972 | $28.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64,717 | $31.12 |
Median Salary Position
1.38% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Surprise
In Surprise, AZ, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,521 (2026 est.). At $48,896, the local median is 1.38% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Surprise: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Surprise Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Surprise median: $48,896/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Surprise Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $48,994 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -1.38% less |
Dental Assistants in Surprise, AZ earn a median of $48,896 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.38% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 0.20% below the Arizona state average of $48,994.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Surprise 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.
Surprise, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $48,896 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $49,641 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,527
2025 BLS Actual
$47,407
2026 Current Est.
$48,896
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Surprise (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,527 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,612 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,127 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,202 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,898 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,212 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,407 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,896 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,431 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Surprise metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $39,527 (2019) to $47,407 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,431 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,904 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Surprise 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) | $38,196 – $45,180 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,180 – $48,896 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,896 – $59,972 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,972 – $64,717 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Surprise
Examining the local job market, there are currently 31 dental assistants employed in Surprise, demonstrating a modest demand for these professionals. With a cost-of-living index of 98.5, which is below the national average, the purchasing power for dental assistants is slightly more favorable, allowing for a better lifestyle with local salaries. Primary employers in this region include general dental practices, pediatric offices, orthodontic practices, and DSO chains like Heartland and Aspen, with specialty roles typically offering higher pay. Factors influencing pay disparities include the level of specialization, such as oral surgery or orthodontics commanding higher salaries, as well as credentials like EFDA that can increase earning potential by 25-40%. To maximize salary in Surprise, pursuing advanced certifications and exploring roles that combine duties, such as treatment coordinator positions, could be effective strategies for increasing earnings in this competitive market.
More salary data for Surprise, 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 $47,407 for dental assistantsin the Surprise 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 Surprise 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