How to reach the top 1% of Orthodontists
Four moves, straight from how the highest-paid in this field use AI in 2026:
Orthodontist Salary in 2026
Orthodontist pay, in real terms
At the national median of $239,200/year, a orthodontist earns $19,933/month before taxes. Over a 30-year career that's roughly $7,176,000 in gross earnings — and that's before raises, promotions, or bonuses.
That puts this role about 398% above the U.S. median wage for all workers (about $48,060/year, per BLS). Using the common rule of keeping housing under 30% of gross pay, this salary supports about $5,980/month in rent or mortgage.
Figures are gross (pre-tax) estimates from the national median; use the take-home and hourly calculators on PayCrunch for your exact state and situation.
What Does a Orthodontist Do?
Orthodontists diagnose and treat misaligned teeth and jaws. They prescribe braces, clear aligners, retainers, and other corrective devices.
Orthodontist Salary by State
Select your state to see the adjusted orthodontist salary based on cost-of-living differences.
How to Become a Orthodontist
Education: DDS/DMD + orthodontic residency (2-3 years)
Certifications: ABO certification; state dental license with orthodontic specialty
1. Earn a bachelor's degree.
2. Complete dental school (4 years).
3. Complete orthodontic residency (2-3 years).
4. Obtain state license.
5. Consider ABO certification.
Orthodontist Salary by Experience
Estimates based on BLS percentile data and industry surveys. Actual salaries vary by employer, location, and individual qualifications.
Top 10 Highest-Paying States for Orthodontists
| # | State | Annual | Monthly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $282,256 | $23,521 | $135.70 |
| 2 | California | $275,080 | $22,923 | $132.25 |
| 3 | New York | $275,080 | $22,923 | $132.25 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $267,904 | $22,325 | $128.80 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $267,904 | $22,325 | $128.80 |
| 6 | Connecticut | $263,120 | $21,927 | $126.50 |
| 7 | Washington | $263,120 | $21,927 | $126.50 |
| 8 | Maryland | $258,336 | $21,528 | $124.20 |
| 9 | Alaska | $251,160 | $20,930 | $120.75 |
| 10 | Colorado | $251,160 | $20,930 | $120.75 |
State salaries estimated using BLS national median adjusted by regional cost-of-living factors.
Compare to Related Jobs
| Job Title | Median Salary | Hourly | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orthodontist | $239,200 | $115.00 | — |
| Dentist | $170,910 | $82.17 | $-68,290 |
| Dermatologist | $302,740 | $145.55 | +$63,540 |
| Surgeon | $260,000 | $125.00 | +$20,800 |
| Anesthesiologist | $302,970 | $145.66 | +$63,770 |
| Optometrist | $130,490 | $62.74 | $-108,710 |
| Pharmacist | $136,030 | $65.40 | $-103,170 |
Job Outlook
The BLS projects +7% growth for orthodontists through 2032, which is faster than average compared to the average for all occupations (3%).
🆕 New & Trending AI Tools for OrthodontistReviewed July 2026
We track new AI-tool launches every week and refresh this list — here’s what’s gaining traction for Orthodontist work right now.
Google tool that answers questions grounded only in the documents you give it — with citations.
How an Orthodontist uses it: load your own manuals, policies, or PDFs and ask questions that stay accurate to the source
The most-used AI assistant — writing, analysis, research, and images from a plain-language chat.
How an Orthodontist uses it: draft emails and documents, summarize long files, and get instant answers to on-the-job questions
AI assistant known for careful writing, long-document analysis, and coding.
How an Orthodontist uses it: analyze big reports or spreadsheets and turn messy notes into clean, finished writing
Google's AI assistant, built into Gmail, Docs, and Search.
How an Orthodontist uses it: draft and reply inside Google Workspace and research without leaving the page
AI built into Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams.
How an Orthodontist uses it: write documents, build spreadsheets, and summarize meetings inside Office
AI search engine that answers with live, cited web sources.
How an Orthodontist uses it: get fast, sourced answers to current questions instead of scrolling search results
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology and data sources
Salary data is based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) program. National median, 10th percentile, and 90th percentile figures are sourced from the most recent BLS OES release. State-level salary estimates are calculated by applying regional price parity adjustments from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) to the national median. Job growth projections are from the BLS Employment Projections program. Education and certification requirements are based on BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook descriptions. All figures are approximate and updated periodically.