Pay by state / Arizona
AZ · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental pay in Arizona
Arizona's 4,530 dental hygienists earned a mean of $101,450 in May 2025, 2% above the US mean and number 15 of 50 states. Salaried general dentists averaged $181,040 (-5% against the US), and orthodontists $242,650. Dental assistants earned $50,280.
- 1Dental hygienists $101,450
- 2General dentists $181,040
- 3Orthodontists $242,650
- 4Dental assistants $50,280
| Occupation | Employed | Per 1,000 jobs | AZ mean | US mean | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orthodontists | 120 | 0.036 | $242,650 | $259,400 | -6% |
| General dentists | 3,470 | 1.071 | $181,040 | $191,350 | -5% |
| Dental hygienists | 4,530 | 1.398 | $101,450 | $98,990 | +2% |
| Dental assistants | 8,680 | 2.68 | $50,280 | $50,200 | 0% |
How Arizona ranks
- Orthodontists: number 15 of 19 published states for mean pay ($242,650, median $272,330), with 0.036 per 1,000 jobs.
- General dentists: number 31 of 47 published states for mean pay ($181,040, median $194,180), with 1.071 per 1,000 jobs.
- Dental hygienists: number 15 of 50 published states for mean pay ($101,450, median $101,010), with 1.398 per 1,000 jobs.
- Dental assistants: number 20 of 50 published states for mean pay ($50,280, median $49,000), with 2.68 per 1,000 jobs.
Arizona and the Mountain division
Among the 8 Mountain jurisdictions with published figures, Arizona ranks 3 for dental hygienists' pay; half of its hygienists earn more than $101,010 and half less. The Census Bureau groups these states as a division, which makes a fairer comparison than the national figure when living costs differ by region.
| Mountain | Hygienists | Dentists | Assistants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $101,450 | $181,040 | $50,280 |
| Colorado | $110,030 | $160,810 | $50,230 |
| Idaho | $95,500 | $139,320 | $47,250 |
| Montana | $96,730 | $168,460 | $47,180 |
| Nevada | $114,360 | $178,460 | $45,880 |
| New Mexico | $94,890 | $185,010 | $45,130 |
| Utah | $87,770 | $144,880 | $40,550 |
| Wyoming | $82,320 | $146,240 | $44,100 |
Staffing in Arizona
There are 1.3 salaried hygienists for every salaried general dentist in Arizona, fewer than the national ratio of about 1.8. A practice here employing one hygienist and one assistant at the state's mean wages pays $151,730 a year in their salaries alone, before benefits. Owners of practices are not counted in these BLS figures, so dentist and orthodontist numbers understate how many work in Arizona.
What it means for your braces
Orthodontists in Arizona earn 6% less than the US mean. Wages are one input to what practices charge, alongside rent, equipment and competition, so they explain only part of why quotes differ. Your quote is what matters: put it, your insurance's orthodontic benefit and your FSA or HSA plans into the calculator.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (state and national files). “–” = not published by BLS. Checked 2026-10-24. Methodology.