How much does a orthodontist make?

The median pay is $139.01 per hour — roughly $289,000 a year, with the real range running from about $48.01/hr (10th percentile) to $200.00/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do you need a degree to be a orthodontist?

The typical entry-level education is: Doctoral degree. Overall preparation level: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).

What does a orthodontist actually do all day?

Diagnose teeth and jaw or other dental-facial abnormalities. Examine patients to assess abnormalities of jaw development, tooth position, and other dental-facial structures. Study diagnostic records, such as medical or dental histories, plaster models of the teeth, photos of a patient's face and teeth, and X-rays, to develop patient treatment plans.

Health Care

Orthodontists

Examine, diagnose, and treat dental malocclusions and oral cavity anomalies. Design and fabricate appliances to realign teeth and jaws to produce and maintain normal function and to improve appearance.

What it pays
Orthodontists earn a median of $139.01/hr — about $289,000 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $48.01/hr; the top 10% earn $200.00/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)

What you'd actually do

Diagnose teeth and jaw or other dental-facial abnormalities.
Examine patients to assess abnormalities of jaw development, tooth position, and other dental-facial structures.
Study diagnostic records, such as medical or dental histories, plaster models of the teeth, photos of a patient's face and teeth, and X-rays, to develop patient treatment plans.
Fit dental appliances in patients' mouths to alter the position and relationship of teeth and jaws or to realign teeth.
Adjust dental appliances to produce and maintain normal function.
Provide patients with proposed treatment plans and cost estimates.

How you get there

Typical entry-level education: Doctoral degree. Overall preparation: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).

The feel of the work

The work is mostly indoors; you're around people constantly; time pressure is a real part of the job; it rewards working independently; precision matters — small details carry weight. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)

Working for yourself

About 12% of orthodontists are self-employed.

Who it tends to fit

This work tends to fit people who are analytical, hands-on and organized and detail-focused.

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Quick questions

How much does a orthodontist make?: The median pay is $139.01 per hour — roughly $289,000 a year, with the real range running from about $48.01/hr (10th percentile) to $200.00/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Do you need a degree to be a orthodontist?: The typical entry-level education is: Doctoral degree. Overall preparation level: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).
What does a orthodontist actually do all day?: Diagnose teeth and jaw or other dental-facial abnormalities. Examine patients to assess abnormalities of jaw development, tooth position, and other dental-facial structures. Study diagnostic records, such as medical or dental histories, plaster models of the teeth, photos of a patient's face and teeth, and X-rays, to develop patient treatment plans.

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS. Tasks & interests: O*NET. Career pathways shown in the app are draft archetypes — verify before relying on them. Trailhead is a free career guide for students — honest numbers, no hype.

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