Orthodontists

29-1023.00 Zone 5 — Extensive Preparation Needed

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.

Also known as: Board Certified Orthodontist, Dental Treatment Coordinator, Dentofacial Orthopedics Dentist, Doctor, Invisible Braces Orthodontist, Orthodontic Dentist, Orthodontic Specialist, Orthodontic Treatment Coordinator, ...

Annual Salary

$208,000+

Median annual wage (May 2024)

$137,320 25th – 75th percentile $208K+
10th percentile $98,560
90th percentile $208,000+
U.S. Employment: 5,150

Job Outlook

+4.4%

Projected growth, 2024–2034 (Faster than average)

Annual Job Openings 200 per year (avg. 2024–2034)
Typical education: Doctoral or professional degree
On-the-job training: Internship/residency

What You'd Do

  • Fit dental appliances in patients' mouths to alter the position and relationship of teeth and jaws or to realign teeth.
  • 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.
  • Diagnose teeth and jaw or other dental-facial abnormalities.
  • Examine patients to assess abnormalities of jaw development, tooth position, and other dental-facial structures.
  • Prepare diagnostic and treatment records.
  • Adjust dental appliances to produce and maintain normal function.
  • Provide patients with proposed treatment plans and cost estimates.
  • Instruct dental officers and technical assistants in orthodontic procedures and techniques.
  • Coordinate orthodontic services with other dental and medical services.
  • Design and fabricate appliances, such as space maintainers, retainers, and labial and lingual arch wires.

Top Skills

Active Listening 4.0
Speaking 4.0
Critical Thinking 4.0
Complex Problem Solving 4.0
Monitoring 4.0
Reading Comprehension 3.9
Coordination 3.9
Social Perceptiveness 3.9

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Knowledge Areas

Medicine and Dentistry 5.0
Customer and Personal Service 4.3
English Language 3.7
Biology 3.7
Computers and Electronics 3.3
Mathematics 3.2
Administration and Management 3.2
Education and Training 3.1

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation by education level

Post-Doctoral
68.9%
Doctoral
12.1%
Certificate
7.7%
Professional
7.1%
Bachelor's
2.7%
High School
1.5%

Technology & Tools

Software and tools commonly used in this role

In-Demand Technologies

Facebook Microsoft Office software

Other Tools

Ada Adstra Systems ADSTRA Management Advance Ortho Systems Program Director Algorithm Compu-Ceph American Orthodontics Compu-Ceph American Orthodontics Photo-Eze Dolphin Imaging & Management Solutions Dolphin Management EZappt FYI Technologies Dr. Ceph FYI Technologies Dr. View GAC International OrthoPlex ICE Dental Systems IMS Specialty Services IMS Digital Office Innovative Software Inn-Soft Office Manager Katchitek Corporation OrthoManager +10 more

Work Styles

Personality traits and work styles important for this career

3.0
Attention to Detail
2.5
Dependability
2.4
Cautiousness
2.1
Achievement Orientation
2.1
Integrity
2.0
Intellectual Curiosity
1.8
Social Orientation

Key Abilities

Cognitive, physical, and sensory abilities important for this role

Problem Sensitivity 4.1
Oral Comprehension 4.0
Written Comprehension 4.0
Oral Expression 4.0
Written Expression 4.0
Finger Dexterity 4.0
Arm-Hand Steadiness 4.0
Deductive Reasoning 4.0

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Activities

General types of job behaviors occurring on this job

Making Decisions and Solving Problems 4.4
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships 4.3
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge 4.3
Developing and Building Teams 4.2
Documenting/Recording Information 4.1
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates 4.1
Getting Information 4.1
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings 4.0

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Environment

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection
5.0
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
5.0
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
5.0
Contact With Others
5.0
Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers
4.9
Physical Proximity
4.8
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
4.8
Freedom to Make Decisions
4.8
Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities
4.8
Health and Safety of Other Workers
4.7
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
4.7
Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
4.7

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Salary data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Outlook data: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034.

This page includes information from the O*NET 30.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.