Salary of an Orthodontist With an Advanced Degree
Dentistry is the branch of medicine dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of complications that arise from oral problems, like problems with teeth. While many dentists have general practices, some specialize in orthodontia, which is the realignment of irregular teeth through oral surgery or braces. Specialists in this area are called orthodontists and, in comparison to dentists, earn higher salaries with advanced degrees.
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Qualifications
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Becoming an orthodontist typically requires that you complete four years of undergraduate studies and earn an advanced degree in a Doctor of Dental Science or Doctor of Dental Medicine program, the Educational Portal reports. Moreover, you are also required to earn a Master of Science degree in an orthodontics program, which results in orthodontists receiving additional advanced, specialized training. In addition, students have to pass the National Board Dental Examinations to become licensed. Finally, orthodontists generally have to complete a special state examination.
Salaries
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While the mean annual salary of a dentist is $158,770 as of 2010, the mean annual salary for an orthodonists with advanced degrees is $200,290, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Orthodontists in the 10th percentile of wage earners gross $72,490 a year, and orthodontists in the 25th percentile of wage earners gross $134,050 a year, on average. Orthodontists in the 50th, 75th and 90th percentile earn more than $166,400 a year, the BLS reports.
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Top-Paying States
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Orthodontists who work in the state of Virginia earn the highest salaries in the country. Virginia is followed by Nebraska, Minnesota, Arizona and Kansas. The BLS only reports that orthodontists in each of the first four states, with the exception of Kansas, earn in excess of $166,400 per year, but their incomes are higher than $244,110, which is what orthodontists earn in Kansas, the fifth highest paying state.
Top-Paying Industry
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Dentists who earn advanced degrees in orthodontia and practice in the field work in the largest of nine specialty areas, the BLS reports. Orthodontists who work in offices of dentists work in the industry with the highest pay. They earn $203,390 a year, on average. According to the BLS, the overwhelming majority of orthodontists work in offices of dentists.
Best Opportunities for Employment
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New Jersey leads all states in terms of employment level, with 7 orthodontists for 100,000 jobs, followed by California, Georgia, Texas and New York. California has the largest number of practicing orthodontists, 840. California and Georgia have employment opportunities above the national average, while Texas and New York have lower than average employment opportunities, but higher than other areas of the country.
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References
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