Orthodontist salary by experience
Modeled estimateHow orthodontist pay tends to grow from entry-level through a full career. These are modeled estimates — the verified national median (BLS OEWS May 2025) on the orthodontist salary page scaled by documented experience factors — not a verified per-experience survey. Treat them as directional and refine with the calculator.
- Entry (0–2 yrs)
- $248,660
- modeled
- Experienced (6–10 yrs)
- $303,600
- modeled
- Veteran (20+ yrs)
- $332,510
- modeled
- Modeled growth
- +34%
- early → veteran
| Experience | Modeled annual |
|---|---|
| Early career (0–2 yrs) | $248,660 |
| Establishing (3–5 yrs) | $277,570 |
| Experienced (6–10 yrs) | $303,600 |
| Senior (11–20 yrs) | $323,840 |
| Veteran (20+ yrs) | $332,510 |
- Modeled annual
- $248,660
- Modeled annual
- $277,570
- Modeled annual
- $303,600
- Modeled annual
- $323,840
- Modeled annual
- $332,510
What actually moves orthodontist pay up
Orthodontist pay is high from the start after specialty training, then builds with case volume, reputation, and referral networks. Ownership and partnership are the largest later levers — beyond what a wage-based model can show.
Experience is only one lever. Location changes pay as much as tenure — compare states and metros — and the biggest early win is often simply negotiating well, covered in how to negotiate your dental salary.
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Submit your salary →Frequently asked questions
What is the entry-level orthodontist salary?
A modeled early-career (0–2 years) orthodontist earns about $248,660 ($119.55/hr) — roughly 14% below the national median. This is a modeled estimate (the verified median × a documented early-career factor), not a verified entry-level survey.
How much does a orthodontist earn with experience?
Modeled figures put an experienced (6–10 yr) orthodontist near $303,600 and a veteran (20+ yr) near $332,510 — about 34% above early career. Real pay depends on setting, location, and (for many roles) production and ownership the model doesn't capture.
Are these orthodontist experience figures verified?
No — they're clearly labeled modeled estimates. BLS publishes a verified national median (May 2025) but not a verified pay-by-experience series, so we scale the median by documented factors (0.86 early career to 1.15 for 20+ years) and never present the result as verified.
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