Orthodontists: Job Description
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.
Featured schools near , edit
What Tasks Do Orthodontists Do?
The core tasks performed by orthodontists span:
- 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.
- Advise patients to comply with treatment plans.
- Prepare diagnostic and treatment records.
Skills and Knowledge
Top orthodontists rely on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Key Skills
These are the skills most important for this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Related Job Titles
People in this occupation may also be known by titles such as:
- Board Certified Orthodontist
- Dental Treatment Coordinator
- Dentofacial Orthopedics Dentist
- Doctor
- Invisible Braces Orthodontist
- Orthodontic Dentist
- Orthodontic Specialist
- Orthodontic Treatment Coordinator
Job Outlook
There are roughly 2,129,132 orthodontists working in the United States today. This occupation is expected to grow by +5.8% over the projection horizon.
Salary for Orthodontists
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $108,772 |
| Hourly median | $52.29 |
| 10th percentile | $62,376 |
| 25th percentile | $85,574 |
| 75th percentile | $131,970 |
| 90th percentile | $155,169 |
Wages vary widely based on experience, location, and industry.
Orthodontists Salary by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Iowa | $223,020 |
| Alabama | $222,010 |
| Ohio | $211,410 |
| Indiana | $203,520 |
| Tennessee | $174,830 |
| South Carolina | $148,410 |
| Georgia | $143,080 |
| Utah | $124,830 |
| New York | $105,110 |
| California | $101,420 |
Top-Paying U.S. Regions
Earnings for orthodontists shift depending on where you work. The following regions pay the most:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Lakes | $209,398 | 20.1% | 1.84 |
| Rocky Mountains | $124,830 | 3.9% | 1.73 |
| Middle Atlantic | $105,110 | 12.2% | 0.97 |
| Far Western US | $101,420 | 26.4% | 1.10 |
| Southeast | $90,277 | 30.7% | 2.38 |
| Plains States | $74,340 | 3.5% | 1.00 |
Where the Jobs Cluster
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | IN | $234,170 | |
| Cleveland, OH | OH | $211,410 | 200 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | SC | $145,630 | 80 |
| Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT | UT | $124,830 | 70 |
Which Industries Hire Orthodontists
The bulk of orthodontists work in these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 5,130 | n/a |
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Tech Stack
- Web page creation and editing software: Facebook (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
The Day-to-Day Environment
The work environment for orthodontists tends to involve the following characteristics:
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
- Contact With Others
- Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers
How to Become Orthodontists
This career aligns with Extensive Preparation Needed (Job Zone 5), reflecting the level of preparation typically expected.
Similar Occupations
Similar Occupations
- Chiropractors (Primary-Long)
- Dentists, General (Primary-Short)
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (Primary-Short)
- Prosthodontists (Primary-Short)
- Optometrists (Supplemental)
- Podiatrists (Supplemental)
- Cardiologists (Primary-Long)
- Dermatologists (Primary-Long)
Degree Programs
Aspiring orthodontists typically earn programs in:
Health Professions and Related Programs
1 programs across 1 majors
References
This profile draws on the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 29-1023.00 (Orthodontists).
HealthcareDegreeSearch.com provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© HealthcareDegreeSearch.com – All Rights Reserved.