Top 10 cities for orthodontists by average salary
| Baltimore, MD | $331,720 |
|---|---|
| New York, NY | $317,690 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $303,220 |
| Washington, DC | $285,910 |
| Portland, ME | $281,120 |
| Nashville, TN | $279,600 |
| Durham, NC | $278,540 |
| Cleveland, OH | $277,590 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $248,410 |
| Atlanta, GA | $174,100 |
Map: Orthodontists salary by metro area
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Orthodontists salary by state
Connecticut pays orthodontists the most statewide, $412,100 a year on average. Statewide columns cover every employer in the state; city columns cover the metro areas we publish.
| State | Statewide average | Statewide median | Jobs | Metros | Highest city average | Lowest city average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $412,100 | $478,680 | n/a | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Colorado | $404,120 | $416,000 | 160 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Illinois | $335,910 | $343,100 | n/a | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Pennsylvania | $327,330 | $311,180 | n/a | 1 | $303,220 | $303,220 |
| Michigan | $327,310 | $357,090 | 140 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Maryland | $315,180 | $361,030 | n/a | 1 | $331,720 | $331,720 |
| Tennessee | $302,050 | $339,610 | n/a | 1 | $279,600 | $279,600 |
| Missouri | $295,460 | $332,630 | n/a | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| South Carolina | $292,350 | $311,450 | n/a | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Washington, D.C. | n/a | n/a | n/a | 1 | $285,910 | $285,910 |
| North Carolina | $277,320 | $224,990 | 160 | 1 | $278,540 | $278,540 |
| Washington | $276,250 | $290,430 | 290 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Maine | $263,020 | $301,250 | 60 | 1 | $281,120 | $281,120 |
| Montana | $257,230 | $312,840 | n/a | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Alabama | $246,170 | $253,670 | n/a | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Arizona | $242,650 | $272,330 | 120 | 1 | $248,410 | $248,410 |
| Wisconsin | $225,580 | $212,860 | 90 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Ohio | $206,430 | $219,300 | 250 | 1 | $277,590 | $277,590 |
| New York | $188,400 | $172,980 | 130 | 1 | $317,690 | $317,690 |
| Georgia | $167,240 | $159,230 | n/a | 1 | $174,100 | $174,100 |
Orthodontists salary in every city we cover
Sort by any column. Each city links to its pay range, take-home pay and cost of living.
| Metro area | Average | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore, MD | $331,720 | $361,040 | $159.48 | n/a |
| New York, NY | $317,690 | $281,850 | $152.74 | n/a |
| Philadelphia, PA | $303,220 | $311,180 | $145.78 | n/a |
| Washington, DC | $285,910 | $248,110 | $137.46 | n/a |
| Portland, ME | $281,120 | $323,460 | $135.15 | n/a |
| Nashville, TN | $279,600 | $361,650 | $134.42 | n/a |
| Durham, NC | $278,540 | $199,990 | $133.91 | n/a |
| Cleveland, OH | $277,590 | $318,070 | $133.46 | n/a |
| Phoenix, AZ | $248,410 | $272,330 | $119.43 | 100 |
| Atlanta, GA | $174,100 | $159,230 | $83.70 | n/a |
Related jobs
- Dentists, GeneralU.S. average $191,350
- PharmacistsU.S. average $140,920
- Physician AssistantsU.S. average $141,280
- Occupational TherapistsU.S. average $101,280
- Physical TherapistsU.S. average $105,280
- Respiratory TherapistsU.S. average $87,300
- Speech-Language PathologistsU.S. average $98,170
- VeterinariansU.S. average $142,680
Orthodontists salary: questions
Where do orthodontists make the most money?
In Baltimore, MD, with an average of $331,720 a year, among the 10 metro areas we cover.
What is the average orthodontists salary in the U.S.?
$259,400 a year nationwide (BLS OEWS national estimates, May 2025); the median is $289,140, so half of orthodontists earn more than that and half less.
What salary should orthodontists ask for?
Start from the figures for your city: the middle half of orthodontists nationwide earn between $146,580 (25th percentile) and $342,300 (75th percentile). Newer workers usually start near the 25th percentile and experienced ones can ask for the 75th; each city page shows the local range. See how to read salary percentiles.
Which state pays orthodontists the most?
Connecticut, with a statewide average of $412,100 a year (BLS state estimates, May 2025).
Where is orthodontists pay the lowest?
Atlanta, GA, at $174,100 a year on average. Lower pay often comes with lower prices: check the cost of living on each city page.
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 29-1023.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.