Jobs Similar to Orthodontists
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to orthodontists, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Prosthodontists, Dentists (General) and Podiatrists.
Orthodontists: $289,140 median pay · usual preparation: Graduate degree.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
| # | Career | Similarity | Median pay (vs. Orthodontists) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ProsthodontistsSame group | 82% | $311,180+8% | Graduate degree |
| 2 | Dentists, GeneralSame group | 81% | $170,950−41% | Graduate degree |
| 3 | PodiatristsSame group | 81% | $160,300−45% | Graduate degree |
| 4 | VeterinariansSame group | 80% | $130,100−55% | Graduate degree |
| 5 | OptometristsSame group | 80% | $136,570−53% | Graduate degree |
| 6 | Oral and Maxillofacial SurgeonsSame group | 79% | $352,220+22% | Graduate degree |
| 7 | DermatologistsSame group | 78% | $328,730+14% | Graduate degree |
| 8 | AnesthesiologistsSame group | 78% | $391,490+35% | Graduate degree |
| 9 | RadiologistsSame group | 76% | $420,860+46% | Graduate degree |
| 10 | Obstetricians and GynecologistsSame group | 76% | $292,910+1% | Graduate degree |
| 11 | Physicians, PathologistsSame group | 76% | $312,400+8% | Graduate degree |
| 12 | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation PhysiciansSame group | 76% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 13 | OrthoptistsSame group | 76% | $115,210Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 14 | Exercise PhysiologistsSame group | 75% | $59,460−79% | Bachelor's degree |
| 15 | Allergists and ImmunologistsSame group | 75% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 16 | Nurse PractitionersSame group | 75% | $132,300−54% | Graduate degree |
| 17 | Ophthalmologists, Except PediatricSame group | 75% | $300,080+4% | Graduate degree |
| 18 | General Internal Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 75% | $256,560−11% | Graduate degree |
| 19 | Ophthalmic Medical Technologists | 75% | $50,290Broader BLS group · not compared | Training or associate |
| 20 | Nurse AnesthetistsSame group | 75% | $236,590−18% | Graduate degree |
- 1Prosthodontists
82% similar · $311,180 (+8%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 2Dentists, General
81% similar · $170,950 (−41%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 3Podiatrists
81% similar · $160,300 (−45%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 4Veterinarians
80% similar · $130,100 (−55%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 5Optometrists
80% similar · $136,570 (−53%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 6Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
79% similar · $352,220 (+22%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 7Dermatologists
78% similar · $328,730 (+14%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 8Anesthesiologists
78% similar · $391,490 (+35%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 9Radiologists
76% similar · $420,860 (+46%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 10Obstetricians and Gynecologists
76% similar · $292,910 (+1%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 11Physicians, Pathologists
76% similar · $312,400 (+8%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 12Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians
76% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 13Orthoptists
76% similar · $115,210 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 14Exercise Physiologists
75% similar · $59,460 (−79%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 15Allergists and Immunologists
75% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 16Nurse Practitioners
75% similar · $132,300 (−54%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 17Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric
75% similar · $300,080 (+4%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 18General Internal Medicine Physicians
75% similar · $256,560 (−11%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 19Ophthalmic Medical Technologists
75% similar · $50,290 (broader group) · Training or associate
- 20Nurse Anesthetists
75% similar · $236,590 (−18%) · Graduate degree · Same group
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than orthodontists.
Similar jobs that need less preparation
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for orthodontists also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Questions about jobs like orthodontists
What jobs are most similar to orthodontists?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Prosthodontists (82% similar), Dentists (General) (81% similar), Podiatrists (81% similar), Veterinarians (80% similar) and Optometrists (80% similar).
Which jobs like orthodontists pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Radiologists ($420,860, +46%; usually a graduate degree), Anesthesiologists ($391,490, +35%; usually a graduate degree) and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons ($352,220, +22%; usually a graduate degree) have the highest BLS median pay compared with orthodontists ($289,140). Without more preparation than orthodontists usually need: Radiologists, Anesthesiologists and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.