Orthodontists
SOC code 29-1023 · O*NET-SOC 29-1023.00 · Extensive preparation needed · Healthcare
Orthodontists pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$289,140
a year
Hourly
$139.01
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$259,400
$124.71 per hour
Middle 50%
$146,580 – $342,300
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$99,850 – $416,000
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
6,210
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $99,850
- $48.01/hr
- 25th percentile
- $146,580
- $70.47/hr
- Median percentile
- $289,140
- $139.01/hr
- 75th percentile
- $342,300
- $164.57/hr
- 90th percentile
- $416,000
- $200.00/hr
What does an orthodontist 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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Diagnose teeth and jaw or other dental-facial abnormalities.
- Examine patients to assess abnormalities of jaw development, tooth position, and other dental-facial structures.
- Study diagnostic records, such as medical or dental histories, plaster models of the teeth, photos of a patient's face and teeth, and X-rays, to develop patient treatment plans.
- Fit dental appliances in patients' mouths to alter the position and relationship of teeth and jaws or to realign teeth.
- Adjust dental appliances to produce and maintain normal function.
- Provide patients with proposed treatment plans and cost estimates.
- Advise patients to comply with treatment plans.
- Prepare diagnostic and treatment records.
How to become an orthodontist
Most people in this role hold post-doctoral training — 69% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 5 — Extensive preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Post-Doctoral Training69%
- Doctoral Degree12%
- Post-Secondary Certificate8%
- First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession.7%
Common questions
How much does an orthodontist earn?
The national median is $289,140 a year. The full range runs from $99,850 at the 10th percentile to $416,000 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become an orthodontist without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 5, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Speaking4.0/5
- Critical Thinking4.0/5
- Monitoring4.0/5
- Reading Comprehension3.9/5
- Active Learning3.8/5
Knowledge areas
- Medicine and Dentistry5.0/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.3/5
- English Language3.7/5
- Biology3.7/5
- Computers and Electronics3.3/5
- Mathematics3.2/5
- Administration and Management3.2/5
- Education and Training3.1/5
Transferable strengths: Complex Problem Solving, Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Judgment and Decision Making.