How Much Do Orthodontists Make? Pay and Training

Orthodontists straighten teeth and align jaws with braces, aligners and other appliances. It is one of the best-known dental specialties. It is also one of the best-paid, which is why many students ask about salary early.

This guide answers the question "how much do orthodontists make?" using official data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). You will see how orthodontist pay compares with general dentists and other specialists, what drives earnings and how much training the career requires. You will also learn practical ways to explore orthodontics before you commit years of study. All pay figures come from the same BLS reference period, May 2025, so you can compare them directly.

How much do orthodontists make? What BLS reports

According to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, orthodontists had a median annual wage of $289,140 in May 2025. The median is the midpoint: half earned more and half earned less.

Here is how that compares with other dentists in the same period:

BLS also projects that employment of dentists overall will grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035.

What affects an orthodontist's pay

Earnings vary for several reasons:

• Practice ownership: Owners can earn more, and they also carry business costs such as staff, equipment and rent.
• Location: Pay differs across states and cities, along with living costs and patient demand.
• Experience: New orthodontists often earn less while they build a patient base.
• Practice model: Some orthodontists own a practice, some join group practices and some teach or do research.

Keep in mind that a median describes a typical orthodontist, not a starting salary. Early-career pay is often lower, especially while new orthodontists pay off education debt or build a patient base. Ask orthodontists you shadow how their income and responsibilities changed over their first years in practice.

The training it takes to become an orthodontist

Higher pay comes with longer training. The path usually includes:

1. A bachelor's degree with dental school prerequisites
2. The Dental Admission Test and dental school applications
3. About four years of dental school to earn a DDS or DMD
4. A two-to-three-year accredited orthodontic residency, according to the American Association of Orthodontists

Residency programs are competitive. Students often build strong grades, research experience and mentor relationships during dental school. During residency, orthodontists study how teeth and jaws grow and move. They also learn to plan treatment with braces, aligners and other appliances, often for children, teens and adults. The extra years also mean more education costs and a later start to full earnings, so plan for both.

To see how orthodontics compares with other specialties, read our guide to dental specialties. For the early steps toward dental school, see our pre-dental timeline and our guide to the Dental Admission Test.

How to explore orthodontics before dental school

You do not need to choose a specialty now. Most students decide during or after dental school. Still, early experience helps you learn what interests you.

• Shadow an orthodontist. Watch consultations, adjustments and progress checks.
• Shadow a general dentist too. Compare the variety of general practice with the focus of a specialty.
• Ask about daily life. Orthodontists often follow the same patients for months or years. Ask what they enjoy about those long relationships.
• Learn about the business side. Ask how scheduling, staff and practice costs work.

A dental service learning trip is another way to see dental work up close. On Smiles Movement trips, students shadow local dental professionals at mobile clinics and help with oral health education for children in partner communities. Seeing a wide range of care can help you notice which work draws you in.

Whatever you try, keep short notes after each experience. Write what you observed, what surprised you and what you want to learn next. Over time, those notes show you which kinds of dental work hold your interest, and they help you explain your goals in applications and interviews.

Explore your path toward orthodontics

Pay is one reason students consider orthodontics. Enjoying the work is what makes the long training worthwhile. If you want to see dental teams in action before you decide, Smiles Movement can help. Fill out the form or download our brochure to get more information about upcoming programs and trip dates.

Frequently asked questions about orthodontist pay

How much does an orthodontist make per year?

BLS reports a median annual wage of $289,140 for orthodontists in May 2025.

Do orthodontists make more than dentists?

On average, yes. In May 2025, orthodontists had a median wage of $289,140, compared with $170,950 for general dentists.

How long does it take to become an orthodontist?

Most orthodontists complete a bachelor's degree, about four years of dental school and a two-to-three-year orthodontic residency.