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Data updated September 2026

Orthodontists report a median total compensation of $495,000 a year, from 19 approved salary reports. Figures from 24 or fewer reports are rounded to protect privacy.

Salary reports are self-reported and anonymous; each is moderated before it is published. They are not NPI-verified.

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Orthodontics Salary Data

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Explore self-reported orthodontics salary data from 19 approved reports. Compare total compensation by specialty, state, and practice setting.

Median $495,00019 reports

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Orthodontics: $495K

Median total compensation from 19+ approved reports.

19+ approved reports•95% would choose again

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Dentist Salary — Orthodontics in All Regions

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Orthodontics Salary DataDentists
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Explore self-reported orthodontics salary data from 19 approved reports. Compare total compensation by specialty, state, and practice setting.

SalaryDr Intelligence

Orthodontics: $495K

Median total compensation from 19+ approved reports.

19+ approved reports•95% would choose again

MEDIAN TOTAL COMP

$495,000

MEDIAN BASE

N/A

MEDIAN BONUS / INCENTIVE

N/A

AVG WORKLOAD

32

hrs/wk

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Showing 1–19 of 19+ entries

Browse Dentist Salaries by Specialty

Every dental specialty and its salary page

Dentist Salary — Orthodontics in All Regions

Explore Specialties

General Dentistry·Periodontics·Endodontics·Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery·Pediatric Dentistry·Prosthodontics·Oral Pathology·Oral Radiology·Dental Public Health·Dental Anesthesiology

Locations

California·Texas·New York·Florida·Pennsylvania·Ohio·Illinois·Massachusetts·North Carolina·Georgia·Michigan·New Jersey

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Dental Salary FAQs

Data-driven answers for Orthodontics

Live DataUpdated Sep 2026

How much do dentists make in 2026 in Orthodontics?

The median dentist salary is $495,000 in 2026 in Orthodontics, based on 19 approved salary reports on SalaryDr. The average dentist salary is $750,000, with compensation varying significantly based on specialty, location, experience, and practice setting.

  • Median total compensation: $495,000
  • Average total compensation: $750,000
  • Based on 19 approved salary reports
  • New reports are added as they are approved

How many hours do dentists work per week in Orthodontics?

Dentists in Orthodontics work an average of 32 hours per week, based on 19 approved salary reports. This includes clinical hours, administrative duties, charting, and call responsibilities. Work hours vary significantly by specialty and practice setting.

  • Average weekly hours: 32
  • Hours vary significantly by specialty and setting
  • Includes clinical, administrative, and on-call time
  • Part-time and locums arrangements offer flexibility

Are dentists satisfied with their compensation in Orthodontics?

Dentists in Orthodontics report 90% satisfaction with their careers, and 95% would choose their specialty again. Satisfaction varies by practice setting, work-life balance, and compensation relative to workload.

  • Career satisfaction: 90%
  • Would choose specialty again: 95%
  • Satisfaction influenced by autonomy and work-life balance
  • Private practice often reports higher satisfaction

Should dentists work as 1099 contractors or W-2 employees?

1099/locums dentists earn higher gross pay (often 20-40% more per day) but must pay self-employment tax, purchase their own benefits, and manage malpractice tail coverage. W-2 employees receive lower gross pay but benefit from employer-paid taxes, health insurance, retirement matching, and PTO. The net advantage depends on individual circumstances and hours worked.

  • 1099: Higher day rates, but 15.3% self-employment tax
  • W-2: Lower gross, but employer pays half of payroll taxes
  • Consider health insurance costs ($15,000-$25,000/year)
  • Retirement matching can add $20,000+ in W-2 value

What is the take-home pay for a dentist earning $495,000?

A dentist earning $495,000 gross typically takes home $306,900-$356,400 after federal taxes, state taxes (varies 0-13%), and deductions. High-income strategies like maximizing 401(k), HSA, backdoor Roth IRA, and practice-specific deductions can improve take-home significantly.

  • Gross salary: $495,000
  • Estimated take-home: $306,900-$356,400
  • State tax impact varies by 0-13%
  • Tax-advantaged accounts reduce effective rate

How is dentist salary data on SalaryDr collected?

SalaryDr salary data comes from 19 anonymous, self-reported salary reports from dentists across the United States. Each report is moderated before it is published; reports are not NPI-verified. Each includes total compensation, base salary, bonuses, specialty, location, practice setting, and years of experience. New reports are added as they are approved, and outliers are handled statistically.

  • 19 approved salary reports
  • Anonymous data from practicing professionals
  • Includes base, bonuses, location, and setting
  • Moderated before publication, with statistical outlier handling

Help improve salary transparency

Your anonymous submission helps dental professionals negotiate fair compensation.

Submit Your Salary

Dental Salary FAQs

Data-driven answers for Orthodontics

Live DataUpdated Sep 2026

How much do dentists make in 2026 in Orthodontics?

The median dentist salary is $495,000 in 2026 in Orthodontics, based on 19 approved salary reports on SalaryDr. The average dentist salary is $750,000, with compensation varying significantly based on specialty, location, experience, and practice setting.

  • Median total compensation: $495,000
  • Average total compensation: $750,000
  • Based on 19 approved salary reports
  • New reports are added as they are approved

How many hours do dentists work per week in Orthodontics?

Dentists in Orthodontics work an average of 32 hours per week, based on 19 approved salary reports. This includes clinical hours, administrative duties, charting, and call responsibilities. Work hours vary significantly by specialty and practice setting.

  • Average weekly hours: 32
  • Hours vary significantly by specialty and setting
  • Includes clinical, administrative, and on-call time
  • Part-time and locums arrangements offer flexibility

Are dentists satisfied with their compensation in Orthodontics?

Dentists in Orthodontics report 90% satisfaction with their careers, and 95% would choose their specialty again. Satisfaction varies by practice setting, work-life balance, and compensation relative to workload.

  • Career satisfaction: 90%
  • Would choose specialty again: 95%
  • Satisfaction influenced by autonomy and work-life balance
  • Private practice often reports higher satisfaction

Should dentists work as 1099 contractors or W-2 employees?

1099/locums dentists earn higher gross pay (often 20-40% more per day) but must pay self-employment tax, purchase their own benefits, and manage malpractice tail coverage. W-2 employees receive lower gross pay but benefit from employer-paid taxes, health insurance, retirement matching, and PTO. The net advantage depends on individual circumstances and hours worked.

  • 1099: Higher day rates, but 15.3% self-employment tax
  • W-2: Lower gross, but employer pays half of payroll taxes
  • Consider health insurance costs ($15,000-$25,000/year)
  • Retirement matching can add $20,000+ in W-2 value

What is the take-home pay for a dentist earning $495,000?

A dentist earning $495,000 gross typically takes home $306,900-$356,400 after federal taxes, state taxes (varies 0-13%), and deductions. High-income strategies like maximizing 401(k), HSA, backdoor Roth IRA, and practice-specific deductions can improve take-home significantly.

  • Gross salary: $495,000
  • Estimated take-home: $306,900-$356,400
  • State tax impact varies by 0-13%
  • Tax-advantaged accounts reduce effective rate

How is dentist salary data on SalaryDr collected?

SalaryDr salary data comes from 19 anonymous, self-reported salary reports from dentists across the United States. Each report is moderated before it is published; reports are not NPI-verified. Each includes total compensation, base salary, bonuses, specialty, location, practice setting, and years of experience. New reports are added as they are approved, and outliers are handled statistically.

  • 19 approved salary reports
  • Anonymous data from practicing professionals
  • Includes base, bonuses, location, and setting
  • Moderated before publication, with statistical outlier handling

Help improve salary transparency

Your anonymous submission helps dental professionals negotiate fair compensation.

Submit Your Salary