Orthodontist salary in North Carolina
Orthodontists in North Carolina earn a median of $224,990 a year ($108.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $182,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $398,000 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $289,140. North Carolina ranks 18th of 22 states for orthodontists pay. There are 0.03 orthodontists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $277,320, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for orthodontists in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $182,170 | $87.58 |
| 25th percentile | $199,990 | $96.15 |
| Median | $224,990 | $108.17 |
| 75th percentile | $362,340 | $174.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $398,000 | $191.35 |
| Average (mean) | $277,320 | $133.33 |
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 | $18,749.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $9,374.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $8,653.46 |
| Weekly | $4,326.73 |
| Hourly | $108.17 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Orthodontist salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $199,990 | n/a |
Highest-paying states for orthodontists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $478,680 |
| Colorado | $416,000 |
| Maryland | $361,030 |
| Michigan | $357,090 |
| Illinois | $343,100 |
| Tennessee | $339,610 |
| Missouri | $332,630 |
| Montana | $312,840 |
| South Carolina | $311,450 |
| Pennsylvania | $311,180 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $84,350 | $40.56 |
| Physicians, All Other | $260,330 | $125.16 |
| Pharmacist | $138,860 | $66.76 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,990 | $62.01 |
| Physician Assistant | $129,360 | $62.19 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,910 | $48.03 |
| Dental Hygienist | $97,850 | $47.04 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,460 | $41.57 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $80,090 | $38.51 |
| Occupational Therapist | $92,940 | $44.68 |
| Dentists, General | $207,000 | $99.52 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $224,610 | $107.99 |
| Veterinarian | $129,240 | $62.14 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $67,560 | $32.48 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for orthodontists in North Carolina is $224,990 a year, or $108.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $182,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $398,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid orthodontists make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of orthodontists in North Carolina earn at least $398,000 a year. The top 25% earn $362,340 or more.
What is the starting pay for orthodontists in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $182,170 a year, and a quarter of orthodontists earn $199,990 or less.
How many orthodontists work in North Carolina?
About 160 orthodontists are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.