Orthodontists in California
Thinking about a career as an Orthodontists in California? Here’s what you need to know. 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 do Orthodontists Make in California?
The orthodontists working in California, the median annual wage is $101,420 per year (or roughly $48.76/hour).
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $91,370 | $43.93 |
| 25th percentile | $101,420 | $48.76 |
| Median (50th) | $101,420 | $48.76 |
| 75th percentile | n/a | n/a |
| 90th percentile | n/a | n/a |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in California compared to the national average — is 1.10.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, orthodontists earn a median of $108,772 per year ($52.29/hour), below the California median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 2,129,132 orthodontists nationwide. In California alone, around 670 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 130 orthodontists.
Top States for Orthodontists Employment
The table below shows the states where the most orthodontists work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 670 |
| Ohio | 380 |
| New York | 310 |
| South Carolina | 280 |
| Virginia | 260 |
| Indiana | 130 |
| Alabama | 130 |
| North Carolina | 110 |
| Utah | 100 |
| Connecticut | 80 |
| Kansas | 60 |
| Iowa | 30 |
Highest-Paying States for Orthodontists
These states pay the most for orthodontists.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Iowa | $223,020 |
| Alabama | $222,010 |
| Ohio | $211,410 |
| Indiana | $203,520 |
| Tennessee | $174,830 |
| South Carolina | $148,410 |
| Georgia | $143,080 |
| Utah | $124,830 |
| New York | $105,110 |
| California | $101,420 |
Skills
Top orthodontists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for orthodontists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Orthodontists typically:
- Diagnose teeth and jaw or other dental-facial abnormalities.
- Examine patients to assess abnormalities of jaw development, tooth position, and other dental-facial structures.
- 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.
- Fit dental appliances in patients' mouths to alter the position and relationship of teeth and jaws or to realign teeth.
- Adjust dental appliances to produce and maintain normal function.
- Provide patients with proposed treatment plans and cost estimates.
- Advise patients to comply with treatment plans.
- Prepare diagnostic and treatment records.
- 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.
Work Activities
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Developing and Building Teams
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Getting Information
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Coaching and Developing Others
- Monitoring and Controlling Resources
- Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Facebook
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
- Advanced Dentistry & Oral Sciences
- Dental Residency
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Related Careers
Related occupations to orthodontists include:
- Chiropractors
- Dentists, General
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
- Prosthodontists
- Optometrists
- Podiatrists
Also Known As
Board Certified Orthodontist, Dental Treatment Coordinator, Dentofacial Orthopedics Dentist, Doctor, Invisible Braces Orthodontist, Orthodontic Dentist, Orthodontic Specialist, Orthodontic Treatment Coordinator, Orthodontics Doctor, Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Specialist, Orthodontist, Pediatric Orthodontist.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 29-1023.00
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