How Much Does an Orthodontist Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$289,140
Orthodontists in the U.S. earn a median of $289,140 a year, or $139.01 an hour. Half of orthodontists earn more than $289,140 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $416,000.
Pay percentiles for orthodontists
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $48.01 | $99,850 |
| 25th | $70.47 | $146,580 |
| 50th (median) | $139.01 | $289,140 |
| 75th | $164.57 | $342,300 |
| 90th | $200.00 | $416,000 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Orthodontists (SOC 29-1023). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for orthodontists
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana | $239,200+ | $115.00+ | — |
| Nebraska | $239,200+ | $115.00+ | — |
| Oklahoma | $239,200+ | $115.00+ | — |
| Connecticut | $478,680 | $230.13 | +66% |
| Colorado | $416,000 | $200.00 | +44% |
| Maryland | $361,030 | $173.57 | +25% |
| Michigan | $357,090 | $171.68 | +24% |
| Illinois | $343,100 | $164.95 | +19% |
| Tennessee | $339,610 | $163.28 | +17% |
| Missouri | $332,630 | $159.92 | +15% |
| United States | $289,140 | $139.01 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. "+" marks wages above the highest figure BLS publishes ($239,200 a year / $115.00 an hour). Those states are listed first, alphabetically. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many orthodontists are there?
BLS counts about 6,210 orthodontists employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). The most jobs are in Texas (1,070), Florida (450) and Washington (290).
The mean (average) annual wage is $259,400, lower than the median of $289,140.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $24,095
- Biweekly
- $11,121
- Weekly
- $5,560
- Daily (8 hours)
- $1,112
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do orthodontists make an hour?
The median hourly wage for orthodontists is $139.01. The middle 50% earn between $70.47 and $164.57 an hour.
Which state pays orthodontists the most?
Indiana, Nebraska and Oklahoma report a median wage of more than $239,200 for orthodontists, the highest level BLS publishes, so an exact ranking among them is not available.
What is the starting salary for orthodontists?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of orthodontists earn less than $99,850 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.