Select Page

Contents

Orthodontist Salary

Orthodontist Salary By Percentile
Percentile 10% 25% 50% 75% 90%
Hourly Wage $32.47 $49.55 $90.00+ $90.00+ $90.00+
Annual Wage $67,500 $103,100 $187,200+ $187,200+ $187,200+

How much does an orthodontist make? Orthodontists are dentists who specialize in the correction of imperfections of the teeth and jaw. They examine the teeth and jaws of patients, apply braces to crooked teeth, and design appliances for patients suffering with misaligned jaws. Many of the procedures they perform are cosmetic in nature, but some of the services provided by orthodontists are essential to the health and well-being of the patient if the jaw or an improper bite are the problem. Becoming an orthodontist requires a great deal of schooling. It can take prospective orthodontists 10 years or more to finish school and complete a 2-3 year residency program. After graduating, one must then pass board exams in order to become licensed. A breakdown of the full process of becoming an Orthodontist can be found here.

Salary

Orthodontists are some of the highest paid professionals in the United States. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary of an orthodontist is 187,200.

Variables Impacting Salary

Orthodontists who command the highest salaries usually have experience in the industry and have large practices in populated areas. Specializing in a particular area of orthodontics can also favorably impact the pay of an orthodontist. In addition, the majority of orthodontists who work in dental offices earn more than those orthodontists employed by physicians’ offices.

Geographic Impact on Salary

The location of an orthodontist can greatly affect his or her pay. Currently, the highest paying states for orthodontists are Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. The highest paying cities are New York, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. The states where there is the highest demand for orthodontists include Florida, California, and Arizona.

Schedule and Work Environment

Most orthodontists work in a comfortable medical office environment. They usually work during regular business hours, but some practices are open in the evening and on the weekends to serve the needs of their patients. When orthodontists operate their own practice, there is generally some flexibility in scheduling, and they can set the hours to their choosing.

Job Outlook

Jobs for orthodontists are expected to grow faster than most other professions. By 2022, it is projected that there will be a 16 percent increase in the amount of jobs for orthodontists. In 2012, there were 7,500 employed orthodontists. That number should increase to 8,700 by 2022 with the addition of 1,200 new positions opening up. The reason for the positive job outlook is due to baby boomer generation. Many of that generation will retain their original teeth and will need access to more dental services.

Top Paying Industries

Industry Employment % of industry employment Hourly mean wage Annual mean salary
Offices of Physicians 30 <.005 $111.71 $232,360
Outpatient Care Centers $97.60 $203,000
Offices of Dentists 5,340 0.62 $94.31 $196,170
Offices of Other Health Practitioners 80 0.01 $92.60 $192,600
Industry #5 $- $-

Salary By State

State 10% 25% Median 75% 90% Jobs (2010) Jobs (2020) Outlook
Alabama $131,300 $144,400 $187,200+ $187,200+ $187,200+ 110 130 +24%
Alaska
Arizona $187,200+ $187,200+ $187,200+ $187,200+ $187,200+
Arkansas
California $66,200 $73,100 $124,200 $187,200+ $187,200+ 1,100 1,200 +9%
Colorado $187,200+ $187,200+ $187,200+ $187,200+ $187,200+ 250 290 +18%
Connecticut 140 150 +8%
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida $33,000 $36,700 $176,500 $187,200+ $187,200+ 290 350 +19%
Georgia $113,200 $141,500 $187,200+ $187,200+ $187,200+ 370 450 +24%
Hawaii
Idaho 60 70 +8%
Illinois $42,200 $76,100 $102,000 $115,200 $187,200+ 190 210 +7%
Iowa 50 50 +16%
Kansas $187,200+ $187,200+ $187,200+ $187,200+ $187,200+ 120 140 +19%
Kentucky $71,100 $184,500 $187,200+ $187,200+ $187,200+ 140 170 +21%
Louisiana $70,600 $86,800 $187,200+ $187,200+ $187,200+ 90 90 +8%
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts $73,400 $164,800 $187,200+ $187,200+ $187,200+
Michigan $171,000 $187,200+ $187,200+ $187,200+ $187,200+
Minnesota $187,200+ $187,200+ $187,200+ $187,200+ $187,200+
Mississippi $120,000 $159,900 $176,700 $187,200+ $187,200+
Missouri $45,700 $132,800 $172,600 $187,200+ $187,200+
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada $73,900 $95,800 $187,200+ $187,200+ $187,200+
New Hampshire $69,000 $96,600 $187,200+ $187,200+ $187,200+
New Jersey $117,500 $176,900 $187,200+ $187,200+ $187,200+ 410 410 +1%
New Mexico
New York $119,400 $158,100 $176,800 $187,200+ $187,200+ 1,170 1,410 +20%
North Carolina $85,100 $106,400 $187,200+ $187,200+ $187,200+ 150 180 +15%
North Dakota
Ohio $99,900 $160,200 $187,200+ $187,200+ $187,200+ 350 380 +9%
Oklahoma $123,100 $134,200 $152,200 $187,200+ $187,200+
Oregon $126,100 $136,900 $154,800 $187,200+ $187,200+
Pennsylvania $79,800 $166,300 $187,200+ $187,200+ $187,200+ 90 100 +5%
Rhode Island
South Carolina $123,900 $140,900 $187,200+ $187,200+ $187,200+ 80 100 +23%
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas $123,100 $187,200+ $187,200+ $187,200+ $187,200+ 250 280 +15%
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington $81,300 $87,000 $96,500 $187,200+ $187,200+ 290 360 +21%
West Virginia
Wisconsin $187,200+ $187,200+ $187,200+ $187,200+ $187,200+ 20 20 +5%
Wyoming

 

Pin It on Pinterest