BLS national median · SOC 29-1023
≥ $239,200
$115.00/hr · 2,080 hrs/yr
#2 · Healthcare
Orthodontists Salary
BLS OEWS May 2024 national median $239,200 ($115.00/hr on 2,080 hours). SOC 29-1023. Modeled 2026 take-home, training context, and career comparisons below.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Texas take-home at median
$176,092
26.4% effective
California take-home at median
$154,950
35.2% effective
Key takeaways — Orthodontists
- Orthodontists ranks #2 of 92 on this hub with a ≥ $239,200 BLS May 2024 national median ($115.00/hr).
- Modeled Texas take-home at that median: $176,092 (26.4% effective employee levy rate). California: $154,950.
- One rank above: Anesthesiologists at ≥ $239,200 (+$0).
- Bonuses, equity, overtime, and self-employment income are outside BLS OEWS cash-wage medians.
About Orthodontists wages
The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes occupational employment and wage estimates (May 2024) by Standard Occupational Classification code. For Orthodontists (SOC 29-1023), BLS reports the national median at ≥ $239,200 — equal to or greater than $239,200 without a more precise published median in this release.
We convert that median to an hourly equivalent using 2,080 full-time hours per year, then apply our 2026 US paycheck model so you see modeled take-home, not just gross. That bridges BLS labor-market statistics with the same tax rules as our state calculators.
Use the compare tool to pit Orthodontists against another career, or open the paycheck calculator to model an offer above or below the published median.
Healthcare · rank context
Orthodontists sits at rank #2 between Anesthesiologists (#1, ≥ $239,200) and Psychiatrists (#3, ≥ $239,200).
Training & licensing context
Most healthcare rows require licensed clinical training — med school, nursing programs, or advanced practice degrees. Compare medians against years in school and residency before judging ROI.
Take-home at BLS median by state
Single filer, standard deduction, federal + state where applicable, employee payroll — gross equals the published BLS median.
| State | Take-home | Effective rate |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | $176,092 | 26.4% |
| California | $154,950 | 35.2% |
| New York | $162,838 | 31.9% |
| Florida | $176,092 | 26.4% |
Myths vs facts
Myth: Every Orthodontists job pays the BLS median.
Fact: The median is a national midpoint. Entry roles, part-time schedules, and low-COL markets sit below; senior specialists in high-demand metros sit above.
Myth: Take-home at median is what you will net.
Fact: Our columns use a single-filer vignette at the BLS gross median. Marriage, dependents, 401(k), HSA, and local taxes change your actual paycheck.
Salary planning checklist
- Confirm the posting matches SOC 29-1023 (Orthodontists)
- Compare Texas vs California take-home if relocation is on the table
- Read BLS percentile tables when published for this occupation
- Use metro paycheck examples when the employer names a city
- Model your exact gross in the US paycheck calculator
Common mistakes
- ✕Treating ≥ $239,200 as a universal offer for all experience levels
- ✕Ignoring licensing and training years when comparing to lower-medians with shorter paths
- ✕Skipping state tax when comparing two offers at similar gross medians
Orthodontists salary FAQs
BLS OEWS May 2024 lists a ≥ $239,200 national median (SOC 29-1023) — about $115.00/hr on a 2,080-hour year.
Modeled single-filer take-home at the BLS median: Texas $176,092, California $154,950, New York $162,838, Florida $176,092 (2026 rules).
#2 of 92 occupations on this hub by BLS national median wage.
Anesthesiologists ranks #1 at ≥ $239,200 — $0 above Orthodontists.
Psychiatrists ranks #3 at ≥ $239,200 — $0 below.
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