Orthodontist Salary Overview
The Orthodontist is one of the most important roles in the Healthcare sector of the US economy in 2026. With a median annual salary of $230,250, compensation for this position ranges from $105,000 at the entry level to $400,000 for highly experienced professionals in top-paying markets.
This career typically requires Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS/DMD) plus 2-3 year orthodontic residency; total training is 11+ years post-high school. Valued professional credentials include American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) certification, state dental license, specialty registration, clear aligner certification. On a day-to-day basis, professionals in this role focus on diagnosing malocclusion and jaw alignment issues, designing treatment plans for braces and aligners, bonding brackets and adjusting archwires, monitoring treatment progress, managing retention phase, performing surgical orthodontics consultations, and managing practice staff and operations.
The job market for this position shows 5% from 2022-2032 with growth driven by adult orthodontics, clear aligner demand, and direct-to-consumer disruption driving referrals for complex cases growth, with demand strongest in specializations including clear aligner therapy, surgical orthodontics, pediatric orthodontics, adult orthodontics, and temporomandibular disorder management. AI treatment planning software predicts tooth movement and designs aligner sequences, but clinical judgment for complex cases, biomechanics decisions, and patient management remain orthodontist responsibilities
Salary Range: The typical Orthodontist in the US earns between $105,000 and $400,000 per year, with a median of $230,250.
What Does a Orthodontist Do?
A Orthodontist spends their workday diagnosing malocclusion and jaw alignment issues, designing treatment plans for braces and aligners, bonding brackets and adjusting archwires, monitoring treatment progress, managing retention phase, performing surgical orthodontics consultations, and managing practice staff and operations. The role requires proficiency with industry-standard tools and technologies including Brackets and archwires, clear aligner systems (Invisalign), CBCT 3D imaging, digital intraoral scanners, cephalometric analysis software, temporary anchorage devices (TADs).
The typical work environment involves private orthodontic practice or multi-specialty dental offices; standard business hours with patient-facing clinical work; ergonomic standing/leaning positions. Within the profession, you can specialize in areas such as clear aligner therapy, surgical orthodontics, pediatric orthodontics, adult orthodontics, and temporomandibular disorder management, each requiring different skill sets and offering different compensation levels.
Day-to-day responsibilities vary based on seniority and organization size. Entry-level professionals often focus on execution tasks under supervision, while senior professionals take on strategic planning, mentoring, and cross-functional leadership.
Orthodontist Salary by Experience
Compensation for a Orthodontist increases substantially with experience. Entry-level professionals (0-2 years) typically earn around $158,872, while mid-career professionals (3-6 years) reach the median of $230,250. Senior professionals (7-12 years) earn approximately $320,048, and those in lead or principal roles can expect $345,375 or more.
The typical career progression follows this path: Orthodontic Resident → Associate Orthodontist → Practice Owner → Multi-Location Practice → Orthodontic Group Practice Executive. Each advancement typically requires 2-4 years and demonstrating increasing scope of responsibility.
| Level | Salary | Hourly | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $158,872 | $76/hr | $108,429 |
| Mid | $230,250 | $111/hr | $152,227 |
| Senior | $320,048 | $154/hr | $201,193 |
| Lead | $345,375 | $166/hr | $214,704 |
Orthodontist Salary by State (After Tax)
Gross salary, federal tax, state tax, and estimated take-home pay for a Orthodontist in each US state.
Geographic location significantly impacts Orthodontist compensation. The top-paying states for this role include Florida (high demand with affluent demographics), Texas (growing population), Arizona (retirement communities), Georgia (suburban growth), South Carolina (competitive market).
States with no income tax (Texas, Florida, Washington, Nevada, Tennessee) offer an effective pay boost of 3-9% compared to high-tax states like California or New York, though these states often compensate with higher cost of living or property taxes. When evaluating offers, consider both gross salary and after-tax take-home pay.
| State | Gross | Federal | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $230,250 | $45,943 | $11,348 | $14,529 | $158,430 | 31.2% |
| Alaska | $230,250 | $45,943 | $0 | $14,529 | $169,778 | 26.3% |
| Arizona | $230,250 | $45,943 | $5,391 | $14,529 | $164,387 | 28.6% |
| Arkansas | $230,250 | $45,943 | $9,905 | $14,529 | $159,873 | 30.6% |
| California | $230,250 | $45,943 | $17,551 | $14,529 | $152,227 | 33.9% |
| Colorado | $230,250 | $45,943 | $9,471 | $14,529 | $160,307 | 30.4% |
| Connecticut | $230,250 | $45,943 | $12,716 | $14,529 | $157,062 | 31.8% |
| Delaware | $230,250 | $45,943 | $13,966 | $14,529 | $155,812 | 32.3% |
| District of Columbia | $230,250 | $45,943 | $16,730 | $14,529 | $153,048 | 33.5% |
| Florida | $230,250 | $45,943 | $0 | $14,529 | $169,778 | 26.3% |
| Georgia | $230,250 | $45,943 | $11,982 | $14,529 | $157,796 | 31.5% |
| Hawaii | $230,250 | $45,943 | $19,464 | $14,529 | $150,314 | 34.7% |
| Idaho | $230,250 | $45,943 | $12,508 | $14,529 | $157,270 | 31.7% |
| Illinois | $230,250 | $45,943 | $11,260 | $14,529 | $158,518 | 31.2% |
| Indiana | $230,250 | $45,943 | $7,023 | $14,529 | $162,755 | 29.3% |
| Iowa | $230,250 | $45,943 | $8,750 | $14,529 | $161,028 | 30.1% |
| Kansas | $230,250 | $45,943 | $12,467 | $14,529 | $157,311 | 31.7% |
| Kentucky | $230,250 | $45,943 | $9,084 | $14,529 | $160,694 | 30.2% |
| Louisiana | $230,250 | $45,943 | $9,204 | $14,529 | $160,574 | 30.3% |
| Maine | $230,250 | $45,943 | $14,925 | $14,529 | $154,853 | 32.7% |
| Maryland | $230,250 | $45,943 | $11,534 | $14,529 | $158,244 | 31.3% |
| Massachusetts | $230,250 | $45,943 | $11,292 | $14,529 | $158,485 | 31.2% |
| Michigan | $230,250 | $45,943 | $9,548 | $14,529 | $160,230 | 30.4% |
| Minnesota | $230,250 | $45,943 | $16,025 | $14,529 | $153,753 | 33.2% |
| Mississippi | $230,250 | $45,943 | $10,244 | $14,529 | $159,534 | 30.7% |
| Missouri | $230,250 | $45,943 | $10,181 | $14,529 | $159,597 | 30.7% |
| Montana | $230,250 | $45,943 | $12,477 | $14,529 | $157,301 | 31.7% |
| Nebraska | $230,250 | $45,943 | $11,926 | $14,529 | $157,852 | 31.4% |
| Nevada | $230,250 | $45,943 | $0 | $14,529 | $169,778 | 26.3% |
| New Hampshire | $230,250 | $45,943 | $0 | $14,529 | $169,778 | 26.3% |
| New Jersey | $230,250 | $45,943 | $12,541 | $14,529 | $157,237 | 31.7% |
| New Mexico | $230,250 | $45,943 | $10,344 | $14,529 | $159,434 | 30.8% |
| New York | $230,250 | $45,943 | $13,395 | $14,529 | $156,382 | 32.1% |
| North Carolina | $230,250 | $45,943 | $9,788 | $14,529 | $159,990 | 30.5% |
| North Dakota | $230,250 | $45,943 | $4,205 | $14,529 | $165,573 | 28.1% |
| Ohio | $230,250 | $45,943 | $6,589 | $14,529 | $163,189 | 29.1% |
| Oklahoma | $230,250 | $45,943 | $10,447 | $14,529 | $159,331 | 30.8% |
| Oregon | $230,250 | $45,943 | $20,800 | $14,529 | $148,977 | 35.3% |
| Pennsylvania | $230,250 | $45,943 | $7,069 | $14,529 | $162,709 | 29.3% |
| Rhode Island | $230,250 | $45,943 | $10,355 | $14,529 | $159,423 | 30.8% |
| South Carolina | $230,250 | $45,943 | $13,109 | $14,529 | $156,669 | 32.0% |
| South Dakota | $230,250 | $45,943 | $0 | $14,529 | $169,778 | 26.3% |
| Tennessee | $230,250 | $45,943 | $0 | $14,529 | $169,778 | 26.3% |
| Texas | $230,250 | $45,943 | $0 | $14,529 | $169,778 | 26.3% |
| Utah | $230,250 | $45,943 | $10,707 | $14,529 | $159,071 | 30.9% |
| Vermont | $230,250 | $45,943 | $14,387 | $14,529 | $155,391 | 32.5% |
| Virginia | $230,250 | $45,943 | $12,723 | $14,529 | $157,055 | 31.8% |
| Washington | $230,250 | $45,943 | $0 | $14,529 | $169,778 | 26.3% |
| West Virginia | $230,250 | $45,943 | $10,900 | $14,529 | $158,878 | 31.0% |
| Wisconsin | $230,250 | $45,943 | $11,115 | $14,529 | $158,662 | 31.1% |
| Wyoming | $230,250 | $45,943 | $0 | $14,529 | $169,778 | 26.3% |
Top Cities for Orthodontist Pay
Affluent suburban communities generate highest orthodontist income; practices in growing suburbs outperform urban locations; areas with 1:25,000+ orthodontist-to-population ratio offer best opportunities
When comparing city compensation, factor in cost of living differences. A $230,250 salary in a mid-cost city often provides more purchasing power than a 20-30% premium in San Francisco or New York.
| City | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| Manchester, NH | $253,275 |
| Charlotte, NC | $253,275 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $253,275 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $253,275 |
| Fargo, ND | $253,275 |
Calculate Orthodontist Take-Home Pay
Adjust the state and filing status to see your estimated after-tax income.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
Tax Breakdown
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Pay Frequency Breakdown
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How to Become a Orthodontist
Education: The typical path to becoming a Orthodontist involves earning a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS/DMD) plus 2-3 year orthodontic residency; total training is 11+ years post-high school. Some professionals enter the field through alternative pathways, but formal education provides the strongest foundation for long-term career growth.
Certifications: Key professional credentials for this role include American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) certification, state dental license, specialty registration, clear aligner certification. These certifications demonstrate expertise to employers and often directly correlate with higher compensation.
Skills & Tools: Proficiency with Brackets and archwires, clear aligner systems (Invisalign), CBCT 3D imaging, digital intraoral scanners, cephalometric analysis software, temporary anchorage devices (TADs) is expected for competitive candidates. Building a portfolio of work or gaining practical experience through internships, projects, or entry-level positions is essential for breaking into the field.
Timeline: Most professionals reach mid-level competency within 3-5 years of entering the field, with senior positions typically requiring 7-12 years of progressive experience.
Orthodontist Career Outlook
Employment for the Orthodontist role is projected to grow 5% from 2022-2032 with growth driven by adult orthodontics, clear aligner demand, and direct-to-consumer disruption driving referrals for complex cases, reflecting strong demand driven by industry evolution and changing workforce needs. The most in-demand specializations include clear aligner therapy, surgical orthodontics, pediatric orthodontics, adult orthodontics, and temporomandibular disorder management.
AI and Automation Impact: AI treatment planning software predicts tooth movement and designs aligner sequences, but clinical judgment for complex cases, biomechanics decisions, and patient management remain orthodontist responsibilities
Professionals who combine deep technical expertise with strong communication skills and adaptability will find the best opportunities in this evolving landscape.
Tax Tips for Orthodontist Earnings
In the 32% federal bracket, strategic tax planning can save you five figures annually. These advanced strategies are worth exploring with a tax professional:
Qualified Business Income (QBI) Deduction: If any portion of your income comes from a pass-through entity (S-corp, partnership, sole proprietorship), you may qualify for a 20% deduction on qualified business income, potentially saving $10,000+ in taxes.
Estimated Tax Payments: If you have income beyond W-2 wages (investments, consulting, rental income), make quarterly estimated payments to avoid underpayment penalties. Set up automatic quarterly payments to stay ahead.
Charitable Giving Strategy: At the 32% bracket, charitable deductions are highly valuable. Consider donating appreciated stock (avoiding capital gains tax) or using a donor-advised fund to bunch multiple years of giving into one tax year.
Retirement Plan Maximization: Max your 401(k) ($23,500), backdoor Roth IRA ($7,000), and HSA ($4,300). If self-employed for any income, a SEP-IRA or Solo 401(k) allows up to $69,000 in additional tax-deferred savings.
Tax-Efficient Investment Placement: Place tax-inefficient assets (bonds, REITs) in tax-advantaged accounts and tax-efficient assets (index funds, growth stocks) in taxable accounts to minimize annual tax drag.
Orthodontist Salary FAQ
The median annual salary for a Orthodontist in the United States is $230,250 in 2026. Compensation typically ranges from $105,000 for entry-level positions to $400,000 for experienced professionals in top-paying markets. Actual pay depends on experience, location, certifications, and employer size.
On a $230,250 salary, a Orthodontist takes home approximately $85,000-$105,000 after federal, state, and FICA taxes, depending on the state and filing status. In no-income-tax states like Texas or Florida, take-home pay is higher than in states like California or New York.
Entry-level Orthodontist professionals with 0-2 years of experience can expect to earn around $158,872 per year. Starting salaries vary significantly by location, with major metro areas offering 15-30% premiums over rural areas.
The highest-paying states for Orthodontist professionals include NH, NC, ND. However, when adjusted for cost of living, some mid-tier states offer better purchasing power. No-income-tax states provide an additional 3-9% effective pay boost.
The median hourly equivalent for a Orthodontist is approximately $110.70, based on 2,080 working hours per year. Actual hourly rates vary by experience level, with senior professionals earning $10-30 more per hour than entry-level.
To become a Orthodontist, you typically need Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS/DMD) plus 2-3 year orthodontic residency; total training is 11+ years post-high school. Valuable certifications include American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) certification, state dental license, specialty registration, clear aligner certification. Most employers also value practical experience gained through internships or entry-level positions.
Employment for Orthodontist professionals is projected to grow 5% from 2022-2032 with growth driven by adult orthodontics, clear aligner demand, and direct-to-consumer disruption driving referrals for complex cases. AI treatment planning software predicts tooth movement and designs aligner sequences, but clinical judgment for complex cases, biomechanics decisions, and patient management remain orthodontist responsibilities The strongest opportunities are in clear aligner therapy, surgical orthodontics, pediatric orthodontics, adult orthodontics, and temporomandibular disorder management.
A Orthodontist typically spends their day diagnosing malocclusion and jaw alignment issues, designing treatment plans for braces and aligners, bonding brackets and adjusting archwires, monitoring treatment progress, managing retention phase, performing surgical orthodontics consultations, and managing practice staff and operations. The work environment involves private orthodontic practice or multi-specialty dental offices; standard business hours with patient-facing clinical work; ergonomic standing/leaning positions.