How much does an orthodontist make?
Median yearly pay in the United States: half earn more and half earn less. That is $139.01 an hour or $24,100 a month.
- Hourly
- $139.01
- Average (mean)
- $259,400
- Jobs
- 6,210
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $99,850 | $48.00 | |
| 25th | $146,600 | $70.47 | |
| Median | $289,100 | $139.01 | |
| 75th | $342,300 | $164.57 | |
| 90th | $416,000 | $200.00 |
By state
Median yearly pay.
| Connecticut | $478,700 |
| Colorado | $416,000 |
| Maryland | $361,000 |
| Michigan | $357,100 |
| Illinois | $343,100 |
| Tennessee | $339,600 |
| Missouri | $332,600 |
| Montana | $312,800 |
| South Carolina | $311,500 |
| Pennsylvania | $311,200 |
| Maine | $301,300 |
| Washington | $290,400 |
| Arizona | $272,300 |
| Alabama | $253,700 |
| Indiana | $239,200 |
| Nebraska | $239,200 |
| Oklahoma | $239,200 |
| North Carolina | $225,000 |
| Ohio | $219,300 |
| Wisconsin | $212,900 |
| New York | $173,000 |
| Georgia | $159,200 |
Highest paying cities
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Nashville, TN | $361,700 |
| Baltimore, MD | $361,000 |
| Portland, ME | $323,500 |
| Cleveland, OH | $318,100 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $311,200 |
| New York, NY | $281,900 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $272,300 |
| Washington, DC | $248,100 |
| Detroit, MI | $239,200 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $239,200 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $239,200 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $239,200 |
| Durham, NC | $200,000 |
| Atlanta, GA | $159,200 |
In other countries
Orthodontist belongs to the international group "Dentists".
Compare pay in 140 countriesSimilar jobs
- Chiropractor$79,200
- Dentist$171,000
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon$352,200
- Prosthodontist$311,200
- Dentist$225,000
- Dietitian and Nutritionist$76,400
- Optometrist$136,600
- Pharmacist$140,900
- Physician Assistant$135,900
- Podiatrist$160,300
Frequently asked questions
How much does an orthodontist make an hour?
The median hourly pay is $139.01 ($289,100 a year).
How much does an orthodontist make a month?
About $24,100 a month before tax, based on a median of $289,100 a year.
How much does an orthodontist make starting out?
The lowest-paid 10% make $99,850 or less a year ($48.00 an hour); the top 10% make $416,000 or more.
Which state pays orthodontists the most?
Connecticut, with a median of $478,700 a year, followed by Colorado ($416,000) and Maryland ($361,000).
Which city pays orthodontists the most?
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN, with a median of $361,700 a year.
How many orthodontists are there in the United States?
About 6,210 people work as orthodontists.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.