Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Specialist Salary in Arizona
The median dental specialist earns $244,170 a year in Arizona ($117.39 an hour), with the middle half earning between $188,280 and $323,650.[1]
25th percentile
$188,280
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$244,170
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$323,650
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $244,170 per year or $117.39/hr at the median. Arizona runs about 9% higher than the national median.
The full pay range in Arizona
BLS publishes five points on the pay curve. The 10th percentile is a reasonable read on entry pay, and the 90th shows what the best-paid dental specialists in Arizona earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | Arizona hourly | Arizona annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $62.80 | $130,620 | $50.06 | $104,120 |
| 25th percentile | $90.52 | $188,280 | $79.87 | $166,130 |
| Median | $117.39 | $244,170 | $108.17 | $224,990 |
| 75th percentile | $155.60 | $323,650 | $134.90 | $280,590 |
| 90th percentile | $231.85 | $482,250 | $193.61 | $402,700 |
| Mean (average) | $128.05 | $266,340 | $119.20 | $247,930 |
How many dental specialists work in Arizona
190
0.06
1.73
How Arizona compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $244,170 in Arizona vs. $224,990 nationally, $19,180 (9%) higher.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $130,620 vs. $104,120, 25% higher.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $482,250 vs. $402,700, 20% higher.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 11.3% in Arizona vs. 0% nationally.
Dental Specialist pay by metro area in Arizona
All 2 Arizona metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tucson | $254,650 | $132,460–$323,650 | 40 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler | $244,170 | $215,990–$425,570 | 80 |
Job outlook for dental specialists in Arizona
Arizona's official long-term projections expect employment of dental specialists to grow 11.3% over 2024–2034, from 150 to 170 jobs, with about 10 openings a year.[3] The national projection for the same period is 0%.
Openings include replacements for people who retire or change careers, which is why they can far exceed net growth. For what this means for hiring, see The dental hiring shortage, by the numbers.
What drives dental specialist pay in Arizona
Pay for a dental specialist depends on experience, setting, and metro. The metro table above shows how much location alone moves the median. Group practices and dental support organizations (DSOs) compete for talent across many locations, and benefits, schedules and bonuses can matter as much as base pay.
Hiring an outside agency is one way practices fill gaps, and it is expensive. See what agencies charge in What dental staffing agencies actually charge.
For dental pros
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Dental Specialist salary in Arizona: FAQ
How much do dental specialists make in Arizona?
The median annual wage for dental specialists in Arizona was $244,170 ($117.39 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $188,280 and $323,650. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $130,620 and the top 10% earned over $482,250. These figures cover employed workers in the BLS "Dentists, All Other Specialists" category and exclude practice owners.
Do dental specialists in Arizona earn more than the national median?
Yes. The Arizona median of $244,170 is higher than the U.S. median of $224,990. That is $19,180 (9%) higher. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Arizona metro area pays dental specialists the most?
Among the 2 Arizona metro areas with published BLS data, Tucson has the highest median at $254,650 a year. Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler has the lowest, at $244,170.
How many dental specialists work in Arizona?
BLS estimates 190 workers in the BLS "Dentists, All Other Specialists" category were employed in Arizona in May 2025. That is 0.06 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 1.73, meaning the role is more concentrated than the national average.
Is demand for dental specialists growing in Arizona?
Arizona's official long-term projections expect employment of dental specialists to grow 11.3% over 2024–2034, from 150 to 170 jobs. That works out to about 10 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 0%.
Hiring in Arizona?
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Other roles in Arizona
Dental Specialist salary by state
Sources
- 1.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: Dentists, All Other Specialists (29-1029), national, state and metro estimates
- 2.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 time-series data files (percentiles, employment, location quotients)
- 3.Projections Central, Arizona long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dentists, All Other Specialists