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.
Orthodontists
SOC: 29-1023 O*NET: 29-1023.00
Median Salary
N/A
per year
Job Growth
📈 4.4%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.2
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Job Zone 5
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.
What does a Orthodontists do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$98,560
10th percentile
Early Career
$137,320
25th percentile
Median
$0
50th percentile
Experienced
$0
75th percentile
Top Earners
$0
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$98,560
25th
$137,320
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$0
Mean: $254,620
75th
$0
90th
$0
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans -$98,560 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $137,320 and $0
- •Salary spread is 0.0% around the median, showing low variation
- •Total national employment: 5,150 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:5,900
Top Industries
Ambulatory Health Care Services98.4%
Offices of Dentists97.1%
Hospitals1.2%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+4.4%
Annual Openings:200
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)5,900
Current
2034 (Projected)6,200
+4.4%
+300
Employment Change
+4.4%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Orthodontists professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 22 locations
California
670 jobs$101,4201.10x
Ohio
380 jobs$211,4102.05x
New York
310 jobs$105,1100.97x
South Carolina
280 jobs$148,4103.68x
Virginia
260 jobs$01.93x
Alabama
130 jobs$222,0101.91x
Indiana
130 jobs$203,5201.24x
North Carolina
110 jobs$00.68x
Utah
100 jobs$124,8301.73x
Connecticut
80 jobs$01.51x
Kansas
60 jobs$01.18x
Iowa
30 jobs$223,0200.65x
Washington
0 jobs$00.00x
Florida
0 jobs$00.00x
Illinois
0 jobs$00.00x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Critical Thinking
100%
#2
Speaking
94%
#3
Active Listening
86%
#4
Complex Problem Solving
80%
#5
Monitoring
74%
#6
Social Perceptiveness
66%
#7
Coordination
60%
#8
Reading Comprehension
54%
#9
Judgment and Decision Making
46%
#10
Active Learning
40%
Skills Overview
Critical Thinking
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Active Listening
intermediate4.3
86%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced4.0
80%
Monitoring
intermediate3.7
74%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate3.3
66%
Coordination
intermediate3.0
60%
Reading Comprehension
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Speaking
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Active Learning
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons100%
5 shared skills
Acupuncturists82%
5 shared skills
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers82%
5 shared skills
Air Traffic Controllers82%
5 shared skills
Urologists82%
5 shared skills
Athletes and Sports Competitors82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
Learn on the Job:
- →Social Perceptiveness
- →Coordination
- →Reading Comprehension
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Critical Thinking
- ✓Complex Problem Solving
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Active Listening
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Complex Problem Solving
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Orthodontists
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Office software
Facebook
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
11
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (2)Planning & Development (5)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Training & Development (1)Communication & Coordination (1)
1
Fit dental appliances in patients' mouths to alter the position and relationship of teeth and jaws or to realign teeth.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development97% perform98%
3
Diagnose teeth and jaw or other dental-facial abnormalities.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Examine patients to assess abnormalities of jaw development, tooth position, and other dental-facial structures.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development91% perform94%
5
Prepare diagnostic and treatment records.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping88% perform92%
6
Adjust dental appliances to produce and maintain normal function.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping85% perform90%
7
Provide patients with proposed treatment plans and cost estimates.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development82% perform88%
8
Instruct dental officers and technical assistants in orthodontic procedures and techniques.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development79% perform86%
9
Coordinate orthodontic services with other dental and medical services.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Communication & Coordination76% perform84%
10
Design and fabricate appliances, such as space maintainers, retainers, and labial and lingual arch wires.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •64% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Orthodontists
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Orthodontists professionals typically have a IRC Holland code and highly value independence
IInvestigative
RRealistic
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Orthodontists
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.97
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.80
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.78
Concern for Others
CriticalConcern for Others
Importance Level4.74
Independence
CriticalIndependence
Importance Level4.66
Cooperation
CriticalCooperation
Importance Level4.62
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
5.0
Integrity
4.8
Dependability
4.8
Concern for Others
4.7
Independence
4.7
Cooperation
4.6
Leadership
4.6
Achievement/Effort
4.5
Stress Tolerance
4.5
Self-Control
4.5
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 5
Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Training:
Extensive training and work experience required
💼 Experience Requirement
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Master's or doctoral degree
- • Extensive work experience in the field
- • State licensure or professional certification
5
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Master's or doctoral degreeExtensive work experience in the fieldState licensure or professional certification
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