Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Orthodontist salary
Average orthodontist salary
$215,333
Average Orthodontist Salary Overview
The average salary for an orthodontist in the United States is $215,333 per year, translating to approximately $104 per hour. This figure can fluctuate based on various factors, including geographic location and years of experience. For instance, orthodontists in metropolitan areas typically command higher salaries due to increased demand and living costs.
Salary by State
Orthodontists in states like California and New York often see higher salaries compared to those in rural areas. For example, California orthodontists average over $250,000 annually, while those in less populated states may earn closer to $180,000.
Factors Influencing Salary
Experience also plays a crucial role in determining salary. Newly practicing orthodontists typically earn less than their established counterparts. As professionals gain experience and build a reputation, their earning potential increases significantly. Additionally, orthodontists who specialize further or own their practices often see substantial boosts in income.
Conclusion
Understanding the salary landscape for orthodontists is essential for prospective candidates. By considering location, experience, and specialization, you can better navigate your career path in this field.
Let Zippia find your next orthodontist job
Let Zippia find your next orthodontist job
Where can an Orthodontist earn more?
Orthodontist salary estimates from across the web
Average orthodontist salary by state
The average orthodontist salary in Alaska, North Dakota, and Nebraska are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average orthodontist salary states are Illinois, Alabama, and Kansas.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for orthodontists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $231,946 | $111.51 |
| 2 | Mississippi | $205,853 | $98.97 |
| 3 | Wisconsin | $197,938 | $95.16 |
| 4 | Vermont | $197,201 | $94.81 |
| 5 | North Dakota | $220,271 | $105.90 |
| 6 | Nebraska | $211,416 | $101.64 |
| 7 | Arizona | $192,066 | $92.34 |
| 8 | Utah | $207,252 | $99.64 |
| 9 | Nevada | $185,826 | $89.34 |
| 10 | West Virginia | $183,664 | $88.30 |
| 11 | California | $196,249 | $94.35 |
| 12 | Massachusetts | $194,443 | $93.48 |
| 13 | Indiana | $183,274 | $88.11 |
| 14 | Rhode Island | $193,640 | $93.10 |
| 15 | Georgia | $184,140 | $88.53 |
| 16 | Kentucky | $184,202 | $88.56 |
| 17 | New Hampshire | $195,405 | $93.94 |
| 18 | Connecticut | $193,029 | $92.80 |
| 19 | Washington | $191,447 | $92.04 |
| 20 | Oklahoma | $182,750 | $87.86 |
| 21 | Maine | $187,746 | $90.26 |
| 22 | Arkansas | $183,279 | $88.11 |
| 23 | Delaware | $191,404 | $92.02 |
| 24 | Tennessee | $173,010 | $83.18 |
| 25 | Ohio | $173,065 | $83.20 |
| 26 | New Mexico | $179,161 | $86.14 |
| 27 | Idaho | $186,028 | $89.44 |
| 28 | South Dakota | $179,759 | $86.42 |
| 29 | Oregon | $181,921 | $87.46 |
| 30 | Missouri | $180,267 | $86.67 |
| 31 | Colorado | $182,108 | $87.55 |
| 32 | Florida | $173,432 | $83.38 |
| 33 | District of Columbia | $190,965 | $91.81 |
| 34 | Alabama | $160,897 | $77.35 |
| 35 | Montana | $181,720 | $87.37 |
| 36 | Texas | $172,625 | $82.99 |
| 37 | South Carolina | $169,729 | $81.60 |
| 38 | New York | $175,145 | $84.20 |
| 39 | Michigan | $177,680 | $85.42 |
| 40 | Iowa | $162,810 | $78.27 |
| 41 | Maryland | $170,348 | $81.90 |
| 42 | Minnesota | $173,975 | $83.64 |
| 43 | North Carolina | $162,152 | $77.96 |
| 44 | Pennsylvania | $163,728 | $78.72 |
| 45 | Virginia | $168,029 | $80.78 |
| 46 | Louisiana | $152,611 | $73.37 |
| 47 | Wyoming | $166,959 | $80.27 |
| 48 | Illinois | $161,666 | $77.72 |
| 49 | Hawaii | $135,428 | $65.11 |
| 50 | Kansas | $157,391 | $75.67 |
| 51 | New Jersey | $157,271 | $75.61 |
Highest paying cities for orthodontists
The highest-paying cities for orthodontists are Sacramento, CA, Green Bay, WI, and Phoenix, AZ.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sacramento, CA | $247,395 | $118.94 |
| 2 | Green Bay, WI | $241,352 | $116.03 |
| 3 | Phoenix, AZ | $230,486 | $110.81 |
| 4 | Fitchburg, MA | $229,824 | $110.49 |
| 5 | Fort Wayne, IN | $208,747 | $100.36 |
| 6 | Oklahoma City, OK | $208,563 | $100.27 |
| 7 | Denver, CO | $208,346 | $100.17 |
| 8 | Roswell, NM | $200,714 | $96.50 |
| 9 | Lansing, MI | $198,401 | $95.39 |
| 10 | Denton, TX | $194,267 | $93.40 |
| 11 | White Plains, NY | $192,410 | $92.50 |
| 12 | Richmond, VA | $181,293 | $87.16 |
| 13 | Winston-Salem, NC | $173,376 | $83.35 |
Orthodontist salary details
An orthodontist's salary ranges from $121,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $381,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is an orthodontist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $381,000 | $31,750 | $183 |
| 75th Percentile | $291,000 | $24,250 | $140 |
| Average | $215,333 | $17,944 | $104 |
| 25th Percentile | $159,000 | $13,250 | $76 |
| 10th Percentile | $121,000 | $10,083 | $58 |
Highest paying orthodontist jobs
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Board Certified Orthodontist | $217,108 | $18,092 | $104.38 | 38,212 |
Top companies hiring orthodontists now:
Which companies pay orthodontists the most?
Orthodontist salaries at Mayo Clinic and Kool Smiles are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average orthodontist salary at companies like Arthur's Enterprises, Inc. and Gentle Dental are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mayo Clinic | $260,892 | $125.43 |
| 2 | Kool Smiles | $251,244 | $120.79 |
| 3 | Arthur's Enterprises, Inc. | $250,535 | $120.45 |
| 4 | Gentle Dental | $246,436 | $118.48 |
| 5 | Dental Care Alliance | $245,955 | $118.25 |
| 6 | Dental Associates | $245,493 | $118.03 |
| 7 | Familia Dental | $244,820 | $117.70 |
| 8 | Great Expressions Dental Centers | $244,512 | $117.55 |
| 9 | Pacific Dental Services | $238,777 | $114.80 |
| 10 | Western Dental | $231,475 | $111.29 |
| 11 | Modern Dental Group | $229,230 | $110.21 |
| 12 | Heartland Dental | $227,141 | $109.20 |
| 13 | South Texas Dental | $221,347 | $106.42 |
| 14 | Jefferson Dental & Orthodontics | $218,264 | $104.93 |
| 15 | HealthPartners | $212,285 | $102.06 |
| 16 | Marquee Dental Partners | $210,300 | $101.11 |
| 17 | T W Co. | $210,300 | $101.11 |
| 18 | Pdc | $210,300 | $101.11 |
| 19 | Smile Brands | $208,425 | $100.20 |
| 20 | Kyber Network | $208,392 | $100.19 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Orthodontist salary trends
The average orthodontist salary has risen by $30,148 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average orthodontist earned $185,185 annually, but today, they earn $215,333 a year. That works out to a 4% change in pay for orthodontists over the last decade.
Compare orthodontist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average orthodontist salary over time
Compare orthodontist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Orthodontist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $215,000 | $103.53 | +3.0% |
| 2024 | $209,000 | $100.41 | +2.2% |
| 2023 | $204,000 | $98.21 | -1.6% |
| 2022 | $208,000 | $99.78 | +0.3% |
| 2021 | $207,000 | $99.52 | +3.2% |
Recently added orthodontist salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Porter Dental & Braces-A Benevis Company | Orthodontist | Towson, MD | 06/27/2025 | $330,000 |
| Pacific Dental Services | Orthodontist | Arnold, MO | 06/25/2025 | $275,000 |
| Pacific Dental Services | Orthodontist | Perris, CA | 06/25/2025 | $275,000 |
| Pacific Dental Services | Orthodontist | Meridian, ID | 06/25/2025 | $275,000 |
| Pacific Dental Services | Orthodontist | Baton Rouge, LA | 06/25/2025 | $275,000 |
| Hero Practice Services | Orthodontist | Baltimore, MD | 06/18/2025 | $365,225 |
| Myorthodontist | Orthodontist | Mount Airy, NC | 06/16/2025 | $400,000 |
| Dental Care Alliance | Orthodontist | Annapolis, MD | 06/14/2025 | $313,050 |
| Smile Brands | Orthodontist | Richland, WA | 06/12/2025 | $391,313 |
| Dental Care Alliance | Orthodontist | Johns Creek, GA | 06/11/2025 | $313,050 |
Orthodontist salary FAQs
Search for orthodontist jobs