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.
Also called: Board Certified Orthodontist, Dental Treatment Coordinator, Dentofacial Orthopedics Dentist, Doctor, Invisible Braces Orthodontist, Orthodontic Dentist
Median pay
$289,140
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$99,850 – $416,000
People employed
6,210
Holland code
IRC
Investigative · Realistic · Conventional
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
- 2.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
- 3.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 4.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
- 5.Do you want the same hours every week?
- 6.Do you prefer working indoors?
- 7.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
- Exposure to disease or infection
Orthodontists pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (19 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What orthodontists do
- 01Diagnose teeth and jaw or other dental-facial abnormalities.
- 02Examine patients to assess abnormalities of jaw development, tooth position, and other dental-facial structures.
- 03Study 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.
- 04Fit dental appliances in patients' mouths to alter the position and relationship of teeth and jaws or to realign teeth.
- 05Adjust dental appliances to produce and maintain normal function.
- 06Provide patients with proposed treatment plans and cost estimates.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Biology
- Computers and Electronics
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Intellectual Curiosity
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a graduate degree (O*NET Job Zone 5).
- Related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- On-the-job training: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- A professional certification is often expected.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from orthodontists
- Orthotists and Prosthetists49% · −72%
- Medical Dosimetrists48% · −49%
- Athletic Trainers47% · −78%
- Dental Assistants46% · −83%
- Molecular and Cellular Biologists45% · group pay
Majors that lead here
- Orthodontics/Orthodontology
- Orthodontics Residency Program
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.