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Orthodontic assistant salary
Average orthodontic assistant salary
$49,768
Understanding Orthodontic Assistant Salaries
The average salary for an orthodontic assistant in the United States is approximately $49,768 annually, translating to about $24 per hour. This figure can vary based on several factors, including geographical location, years of experience, and the specific practice setting.
In states like California and New York, orthodontic assistants often earn higher salaries due to the higher cost of living and demand for dental services. For instance, orthodontic assistants in these states can see salaries exceeding $55,000 annually.
Experience also plays a crucial role in determining salary. Entry-level orthodontic assistants may start around $38,000, but those with several years of experience or specialized certifications can earn significantly more. Additionally, working in specialized practices or larger clinics may offer enhanced salary prospects.
Job Opportunities and Growth
The demand for orthodontic assistants is expected to grow, with job opportunities available in various settings, including private practices, hospitals, and dental schools. This growth reflects a broader trend in the healthcare industry, where skilled support roles are increasingly essential.
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Where can an Orthodontic Assistant earn more?
Orthodontic assistant salaries by experience level
Orthodontic assistant salary estimates from across the web
Average orthodontic assistant salary by state
The highest-paying states for orthodontic assistants are California, Oregon, and Alaska. The lowest average orthodontic assistant salary states are Missouri, Nebraska, and South Dakota.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for orthodontic assistants
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon | $69,509 | $33.42 |
| 2 | California | $73,050 | $35.12 |
| 3 | Washington | $62,942 | $30.26 |
| 4 | Alaska | $65,898 | $31.68 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $61,462 | $29.55 |
| 6 | New York | $59,916 | $28.81 |
| 7 | Connecticut | $58,293 | $28.03 |
| 8 | Nevada | $59,196 | $28.46 |
| 9 | Arizona | $53,062 | $25.51 |
| 10 | Minnesota | $53,699 | $25.82 |
| 11 | Pennsylvania | $55,165 | $26.52 |
| 12 | New Hampshire | $54,773 | $26.33 |
| 13 | Rhode Island | $59,346 | $28.53 |
| 14 | Michigan | $48,886 | $23.50 |
| 15 | New Jersey | $59,453 | $28.58 |
| 16 | Ohio | $46,673 | $22.44 |
| 17 | Virginia | $57,572 | $27.68 |
| 18 | New Mexico | $44,524 | $21.41 |
| 19 | Idaho | $48,389 | $23.26 |
| 20 | Maryland | $56,419 | $27.12 |
| 21 | Colorado | $45,307 | $21.78 |
| 22 | North Dakota | $46,808 | $22.50 |
| 23 | Indiana | $47,651 | $22.91 |
| 24 | Delaware | $54,684 | $26.29 |
| 25 | Wyoming | $49,341 | $23.72 |
| 26 | Texas | $44,678 | $21.48 |
| 27 | South Carolina | $43,787 | $21.05 |
| 28 | Maine | $45,651 | $21.95 |
| 29 | Wisconsin | $42,036 | $20.21 |
| 30 | Illinois | $46,003 | $22.12 |
| 31 | North Carolina | $48,004 | $23.08 |
| 32 | West Virginia | $43,775 | $21.05 |
| 33 | Florida | $41,281 | $19.85 |
| 34 | Iowa | $43,521 | $20.92 |
| 35 | Vermont | $48,655 | $23.39 |
| 36 | Utah | $43,876 | $21.09 |
| 37 | Hawaii | $52,230 | $25.11 |
| 38 | District of Columbia | $51,900 | $24.95 |
| 39 | Tennessee | $40,447 | $19.45 |
| 40 | Georgia | $41,216 | $19.82 |
| 41 | Kentucky | $39,839 | $19.15 |
| 42 | Oklahoma | $35,071 | $16.86 |
| 43 | Kansas | $38,673 | $18.59 |
| 44 | Missouri | $36,718 | $17.65 |
| 45 | Montana | $37,131 | $17.85 |
| 46 | South Dakota | $36,452 | $17.52 |
| 47 | Nebraska | $36,579 | $17.59 |
| 48 | Louisiana | $39,149 | $18.82 |
| 49 | Arkansas | $38,209 | $18.37 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $34,186 | $16.44 |
| 51 | Alabama | $34,603 | $16.64 |
Highest paying cities for orthodontic assistants
The highest-paying cities for orthodontic assistants are Los Angeles, CA, Fall River, MA, and Lakewood, WA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, CA | $69,748 | $33.53 |
| 2 | Fall River, MA | $64,849 | $31.18 |
| 3 | Lakewood, WA | $63,961 | $30.75 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $60,279 | $28.98 |
| 5 | Hampton, VA | $58,041 | $27.90 |
| 6 | Lancaster, PA | $54,761 | $26.33 |
| 7 | Washington, DC | $51,646 | $24.83 |
| 8 | Indianapolis, IN | $47,598 | $22.88 |
| 9 | Evanston, IL | $46,673 | $22.44 |
| 10 | Rock Hill, SC | $45,880 | $22.06 |
| 11 | San Antonio, TX | $45,869 | $22.05 |
| 12 | Colorado Springs, CO | $45,745 | $21.99 |
| 13 | Albuquerque, NM | $44,614 | $21.45 |
| 14 | Sarasota, FL | $42,302 | $20.34 |
| 15 | Biloxi, MS | $36,628 | $17.61 |
| 16 | Oklahoma City, OK | $35,223 | $16.93 |
Orthodontic assistant salary details
An orthodontic assistant's salary ranges from $25,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $96,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is an orthodontic assistant's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $96,000 | $8,000 | $46 |
| 75th Percentile | $70,000 | $5,833 | $34 |
| Average | $49,768 | $4,147 | $24 |
| 25th Percentile | $35,000 | $2,917 | $17 |
| 10th Percentile | $25,000 | $2,083 | $12 |
Highest paying orthodontic assistant jobs
The highest paying types of orthodontic assistants are dental officer, clerical dentist assistant, and dental nurse.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Nurse | $81,113 | $6,759 | $39.00 | 35,787 |
Top companies hiring orthodontic assistants now:
Which companies pay orthodontic assistants the most?
Orthodontic assistant salaries at LCMC Health and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average orthodontic assistant salary at companies like SmileBuilderz and UPMC are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LCMC Health | $100,655 | $48.39 |
| 2 | Children's Hospital of Philadelphia | $73,163 | $35.17 |
| 3 | SmileBuilderz | $55,513 | $26.69 |
| 4 | UPMC | $52,711 | $25.34 |
| 5 | DentalOne Partners | $51,112 | $24.57 |
| 6 | Touro College | $47,471 | $22.82 |
| 7 | Heartland Dental | $46,031 | $22.13 |
| 8 | University of Oklahoma | $45,974 | $22.10 |
| 9 | Great Expressions Dental Centers | $41,794 | $20.09 |
| 10 | Familia Dental | $41,754 | $20.07 |
| 11 | Family Dental | $41,411 | $19.91 |
| 12 | Dental Care Alliance | $41,410 | $19.91 |
| 13 | Children's Dental Services | $40,138 | $19.30 |
| 14 | Smile Brands | $39,930 | $19.20 |
| 15 | Nationwide Children's Hospital | $37,467 | $18.01 |
| 16 | MB2 Dental | $36,723 | $17.66 |
| 17 | Hire Velocity | $36,171 | $17.39 |
| 18 | Hero Practice Services | $35,647 | $17.14 |
| 19 | Access Health Louisiana | $35,003 | $16.83 |
| 20 | Cds Computers | $34,861 | $16.76 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Orthodontic assistant salary trends
The average orthodontic assistant salary has risen by $8,508 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average orthodontic assistant earned $41,260 annually, but today, they earn $49,768 a year. That works out to a 11% change in pay for orthodontic assistants over the last decade.
Compare orthodontic assistant salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average orthodontic assistant salary over time
Compare orthodontic assistant salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Orthodontic assistant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $49,800 | $23.93 | +2.7% |
| 2024 | $48,400 | $23.29 | +3.5% |
| 2023 | $46,700 | $22.46 | +2.7% |
| 2022 | $45,500 | $21.86 | +1.8% |
| 2021 | $44,600 | $21.46 | +2.6% |
Recently added orthodontic assistant salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burgchildrensdentistry | Orthodontic Assistant at Burg! | Stansbury Park, UT | 06/30/2025 | $35,479 |
| Paciorek Orthodontics | Orthodontic Assistant | Ithaca, NY | 06/27/2025 | $37,566 |
| Hero Practice Services | Orthodontic Assistant | Colorado Springs, CO | 06/26/2025 | $35,479 |
| Colorado Orthodontics | Orthodontic Assistant at Colorado Orthodontics | Parker, CO | 06/25/2025 | $52,175 |
| Burg Children's Dentistry & Orthodontics | Orthodontic Assistant at Burg! | Stansbury Park, UT | 06/25/2025 | $35,479 |
| Light Wave Dental Management | Orthodontic Assistant-Invisalign Coordinator | Centreville, VA | 06/25/2025 | $50,088 |
| Talent for Dental | Orthodontic Assistant-WGM Danville | Danville, KY | 06/25/2025 | $33,392 |
| Lightwave Dental | Orthodontic Assistant-Invisalign Coordinator | Centreville, VA | 06/24/2025 | $50,088 |
| Dental Assistant In Centreville, Virginia | Orthodontic Assistant-Invisalign Coordinator | Centreville, VA | 06/24/2025 | $50,088 |
| Smile Brands | Orthodontic Assistant | Park Ridge, IL | 06/21/2025 | $54,262 |
Orthodontic assistant salary FAQs
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