Orthodontist Salary
Orthodontists earn a median $239,200+ a year nationally. Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
What orthodontists do
Examine, diagnose, and treat dental malocclusions and oral cavity anomalies. Design and fabricate appliances to realign teeth and jaws to produce and maintain normal function and to improve appearance.
- Typical education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Internship/residency
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +6.0% (faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 200
- Self-employed
- 13%
Employment of orthodontists is projected to grow 6.0% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 200 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Orthodontist take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$64,333
- Social Security (6.2%)$11,439
- Medicare (1.45%)$4,995
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$208,373
Marginal rate: 35% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $99,850 | $48.00 | $79,074 |
| 25th percentile | $146,580 | $70.47 | $111,453 |
| Median (50th) | $289,140+ | $139.01 | $208,373 |
| 75th percentile | $342,300+ | $164.57 | $241,678 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $416,000+ | $200.00 | $287,851 |
Orthodontist salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $239,200+ | — | $298,376 | $205,070 – $239,200+ | — |
| Colorado | $239,200+ | — | $270,255 | $155,590 – $239,200+ | 160 |
| Maryland | $239,200+ | — | $234,644 | $226,420 – $239,200+ | — |
| Michigan | $239,200+ | — | $236,018 | $171,560 – $239,200+ | 140 |
| Illinois | $239,200+ | — | $225,340 | $99,560 – $239,200+ | — |
| Tennessee | $239,200+ | — | $239,992 | $180,190 – $239,200+ | — |
| Missouri | $239,200+ | — | $220,923 | $161,730 – $239,200+ | — |
| Montana | $239,200+ | — | $206,906 | $95,490 – $239,200+ | — |
| South Carolina | $239,200+ | — | $204,820 | $143,840 – $239,200+ | — |
| Pennsylvania | $239,200+ | — | $212,628 | $202,170 – $239,200+ | — |
| Maine | $239,200+ | — | $195,916 | $171,120 – $239,200+ | 60 |
| Washington | $239,200+ | — | $209,181 | $62,940 – $239,200+ | 290 |
| Arizona | $239,200+ | — | $191,242 | $96,730 – $239,200+ | 120 |
| Alabama | $239,200+ | — | $173,173 | $193,860 – $239,200+ | — |
| Indiana | $239,200+ | — | $169,065 | $239,200+ – $239,200+ | — |
| Nebraska | $239,200+ | — | $166,088 | $239,200+ – $239,200+ | — |
| Oklahoma | $239,200+ | — | $165,873 | $239,200+ – $239,200+ | 30 |
| North Carolina | $224,990 | — | $158,295 | $182,170 – $239,200+ | 160 |
| Ohio | $219,300 | +3.7% | $157,779 | $104,990 – $239,200+ | 250 |
| Wisconsin | $212,860 | — | $148,497 | $106,040 – $239,200+ | 90 |
| New York | $172,980 | +64.6% | $120,332 | $61,410 – $239,200+ | 130 |
| Georgia | $159,230 | +11.3% | $112,458 | $112,750 – $219,740 | — |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon | $239,200+ | Doctoral or professional degree | +5.6% |
| Dentists, All Other Specialists | $224,990 | Doctoral or professional degree | +1.3% |
| Dentists, General | $170,950 | Doctoral or professional degree | +5.7% |
| Obstetrician and Gynecologist | $239,200+ | Doctoral or professional degree | +1.7% |
| Psychiatrist | $239,200+ | Doctoral or professional degree | +7.2% |
| Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric | $239,200+ | Doctoral or professional degree | +4.5% |
| Physicians, All Other | $239,200+ | Doctoral or professional degree | +3.4% |
| Physicians, Pathologists | $239,200+ | Doctoral or professional degree | +4.8% |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $239,200+ | Doctoral or professional degree | +4.0% |
| Dermatologist | $239,200+ | Doctoral or professional degree | +6.8% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a orthodontist make?
The national median salary for orthodontists is at least $239,200 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $99,850 and the top 10% earn over $239,200+. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays orthodontists the most?
Connecticut has the highest median pay at $239,200+.
How many orthodontists are there in the U.S.?
About 6,210 people work as orthodontists nationwide.