Orthodontist salary in the U.S.
Orthodontists in the U.S. earn a median of $289,140 a year ($139.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,210 workers.
Pay ranges from $99,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $416,000 for the top 10%. The average (mean) salary is $259,400, close to the median.
Pay range for orthodontists in the U.S.
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $99,850 | $48.01 |
| 25th percentile | $146,580 | $70.47 |
| Median | $289,140 | $139.01 |
| 75th percentile | $342,300 | $164.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $416,000 | $200.00 |
| Average (mean) | $259,400 | $124.71 |
Half of orthodontists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $24,095 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $12,047.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $11,120.77 |
| Weekly | $5,560.38 |
| Hourly | $139.01 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Orthodontist salary by state
| State | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Best-paying metro areas for orthodontists
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $361,650 | n/a |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $361,040 | n/a |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | $323,460 | n/a |
| Cleveland, OH | $318,070 | n/a |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $311,180 | n/a |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $281,850 | n/a |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $272,330 | 100 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $248,110 | n/a |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $239,200+ | n/a |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $239,200+ | n/a |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $239,200+ | n/a |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $239,200+ | n/a |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $199,990 | n/a |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $159,230 | n/a |
Metro areas with the most orthodontists
| Metro area | Workers | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | 100 | $272,330 |
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $97,550 | $46.90 |
| Physicians, All Other | $265,930 | $127.85 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,300 | $63.61 |
| Pharmacist | $140,910 | $67.75 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,760 | $49.40 |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,100 | $47.16 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $97,870 | $47.05 |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,330 | $48.24 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,880 | $65.33 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $82,280 | $39.56 |
| Dentists, General | $170,950 | $82.19 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $244,180 | $117.39 |
| Veterinarian | $130,100 | $62.55 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $76,400 | $36.73 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1023. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a orthodontist make in the U.S.?
The median salary for orthodontists in the U.S. is $289,140 a year, or $139.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $99,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $416,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid orthodontists make in the U.S.?
The top 10% of orthodontists in the U.S. earn at least $416,000 a year. The top 25% earn $342,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for orthodontists in the U.S.?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $99,850 a year, and a quarter of orthodontists earn $146,580 or less.
How many orthodontists work in the U.S.?
About 6,210 orthodontists are employed in the U.S., not counting the self-employed.