Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between orthodontists and orthopedic surgeons can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an orthodontist has an average salary of $215,333, which is higher than the $137,571 average annual salary of an orthopedic surgeon.
The top three skills for an orthodontist include patients, diagnosis and OSHA. The most important skills for an orthopedic surgeon are patients, spine, and EMR.
| Orthodontist | Orthopedic Surgeon | |
| Yearly salary | $215,333 | $137,571 |
| Hourly rate | $103.53 | $66.14 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 18,456 | 5,046 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 29% | Bachelor's Degree, 39% |
| Average age | 46 | 49 |
| Years of experience | - | 6 |
An orthodontist is responsible for evaluating the dental records, including x-ray and surgery results of a patient, administering medications to treat dental issues and avoid further health complications. Orthodontists perform adjustments on the patients' dental condition, including teeth improvement procedures, by utilizing dental equipment and tools for operations. They inspect the efficiency of the operating equipment and machine, ensuring its stability and top-performance condition by conducting regular maintenance and sterilizing equipment to prevent contamination that may affect dental results.
An orthopedic surgeon specializes in performing surgeries to treat different issues concerning a patient's musculoskeletal system. Their responsibilities primarily revolve around conducting extensive examinations on a patient to determine their condition, analyzing their medical records, coordinating with nurses and other specialists to ensure the accuracy of treatments, and maintaining a thorough record of information. Records include appointments, comments, and results. There are also instances when a surgeon must refer patients to therapists and provide advice for post-surgery care. Furthermore, it is essential to monitor a patient's condition before and after surgery.
Orthodontists and orthopedic surgeons have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Orthodontist | Orthopedic Surgeon | |
| Average salary | $215,333 | $137,571 |
| Salary range | Between $121,000 And $381,000 | Between $73,000 And $257,000 |
| Highest paying City | Sacramento, CA | Brockton, MA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Maine |
| Best paying company | Mayo Clinic | Trinity Health |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between an orthodontist and an orthopedic surgeon in terms of educational background:
| Orthodontist | Orthopedic Surgeon | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 29% | Bachelor's Degree, 39% |
| Most common major | Advanced Dentistry And Oral Sciences | Nursing |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | New York University |
Here are the differences between orthodontists' and orthopedic surgeons' demographics:
| Orthodontist | Orthopedic Surgeon | |
| Average age | 46 | 49 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 29.7% Female, 70.3% | Male, 34.1% Female, 65.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 3.2% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 17.6% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 1.8% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 5.0% Asian, 12.7% White, 76.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 12% |