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For Educators: Military Resources
For Educators: Military Resources

Orthodontists

Median Salary
208,000
Job Outlook
+5%

Overview

What are the responsibilities of this role?

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.

Did you know this role exists in the Military?

What is the job outlook?

Overall employment of dentists is projected to grow 5 percent from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 4,900 openings for dentists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Compensation

What is the typical salary range?

$103,700

10%

$208,000

Median

$208,000+

90%

How does location impact how much salary?

Education

What level of education do professionals in this role have?

Education Level

  • Post-doctoral training

    68%

  • Doctoral degree

    12%

  • First professional degree

    7%

  • Post-secondary certificate

    7%

  • Bachelor's degree

    2%

  • High school

    1%

Which college majors best prepare you for this role?

  • Orthodontics/Orthodontology

Skills and Interest

Which skill sets are the most valuable to possess?

Skills

  • Verbal Skills

    High

  • Leadership

    High

  • Math and Science Skills

    High

  • Technology Design and Control

    High

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

    High

  • Equipment Operation and Maintenance

    Mid

What knowledge should you bring to the table?

  • Medicine and Dentistry
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Biology
  • Education and Training
  • Computers and Electronics

What challenges will you likely face in the workplace?

Workplace

  • Time Pressure

    High

  • Responsibility

    High

  • Decision Making

    High

  • Level Of Competition

    High

  • Repetitiveness

    Mid

  • Physical Activity

    Mid

  • Exposure to Job Hazards

    Low

What personality traits help people thrive in this role?

Investigative

You love figuring out how things work and researching subjects that interest you.

Realistic

You love hands-on work and solving practical problems — like fixing things and building stuff.

Conventional

You like structure, staying organized, and working with systems to get things done efficiently.

RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.

Take the RIASEC Test

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Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.