How much does a orthodontist make?
The median orthodontist in the United States earns $289,140 per year, about $139.01 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all orthodontists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 29-1023.
Orthodontist salary range
Pay for orthodontists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $99,850 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $416,000. The average (mean) wage is $259,400, close to the median.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $99,850 | $48.01 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $146,580 | $70.47 | |
| Median (50th) | $289,140 | $139.01 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $342,300 | $164.57 | |
| 90th percentile | $416,000 | $200.00 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for orthodontists (SOC 29-1023), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Orthodontist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Orthodontists earn the most in Connecticut at $478,680 a year, and the least in Georgia at $159,230. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $478,680 | N/A |
| Colorado | $416,000 | 160 |
| Maryland | $361,030 | N/A |
| Michigan | $357,090 | 140 |
| Illinois | $343,100 | N/A |
| Tennessee | $339,610 | N/A |
| Missouri | $332,630 | N/A |
| Montana | $312,840 | N/A |
| South Carolina | $311,450 | N/A |
| Pennsylvania | $311,180 | N/A |
| Maine | $301,250 | 60 |
| Washington | $290,430 | 290 |
| Arizona | $272,330 | 120 |
| Alabama | $253,670 | N/A |
| Indiana | $239,200+ | N/A |
| Nebraska | $239,200+ | N/A |
| Oklahoma | $239,200+ | 30 |
| North Carolina | $224,990 | 160 |
| Ohio | $219,300 | 250 |
| Wisconsin | $212,860 | 90 |
| New York | $172,980 | 130 |
| Georgia | $159,230 | N/A |
State median wages for orthodontists (SOC 29-1023), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for orthodontists
The BLS projects employment of orthodontists to grow 6% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 7,100 jobs in 2025 moving toward 7,500 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 200 openings a year for orthodontists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an orthodontist
The typical entry-level education for orthodontists is a doctoral or professional degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete an internship or residency to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an orthodontist earns
Specialty, work setting, shift differentials, certifications, and region drive the numbers. Hospitals, surgical settings, and high cost metros pay above clinics and rural facilities.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Connecticut, $478,680) and the lowest (Georgia, $159,230) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 6,210 people work as orthodontists in the United States. At $289,140 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Orthodontist salary FAQ
How much does an orthodontist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an orthodontist is $139.01. The middle half of orthodontists earn between $70.47 and $164.57 per hour.
What is the highest orthodontist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of orthodontists earn more than $416,000 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an orthodontist make a year?
The median annual salary for an orthodontist is $289,140. The average (mean) wage is $259,400, close to the median.
Is being an orthodontist a well paid job?
At $289,140 a year, an orthodontist earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 6,210 people work as orthodontists in the United States.
Which state pays orthodontists the most?
Connecticut has the highest median salary for orthodontists at $478,680 a year. Colorado ($416,000) and Maryland ($361,030) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an orthodontist a good career?
Employment of orthodontists is projected to grow 6% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 200 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an orthodontist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for orthodontists as a doctoral or professional degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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