Career comparison
Orthodontist vs. Prosthodontist
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Prosthodontists earn more at the median ($311,180 vs. $289,140), while orthodontists usually get to work faster (10–11 years after high school of training). Orthodontists straighten teeth and correct bites with braces and aligners. Prosthodontists restore and replace teeth with crowns, bridges, dentures and implants.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Orthodontist | Prosthodontist | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $289,140 ($139.01/hr) | $311,180 ($149.61/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $99,850 – $416,000 | $103,510 – $344,750 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +6.0% (faster than average) | +5.8% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 200 | 0 |
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Training time | 10–11 years after high school | 11 years after high school |
| Key credential | American Board of Orthodontics certification | American Board of Prosthodontics certification |
| Work setting | Orthodontists work in private offices, often with several chairs and assistants.. | Prosthodontists work in private practices, universities and hospitals.. |
What each job does
Orthodontist
- Examine teeth and jaw alignment
- Take X-rays, photos and scans
- Design treatment plans
- Place braces and appliances
- Prescribe clear aligners
Prosthodontist
- Plan complex restorations
- Place crowns, bridges and veneers
- Design dentures
- Restore dental implants
- Treat bite and jaw problems
How they’re similar
Both careers involve high-pay, hands-on work, indoor work, and steady routines. Both are part of the healthcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose orthodontist if…
- I like precise hand work
- I enjoy working with kids and teens
- I want regular hours
Choose prosthodontist if…
- I like art and science together
- I enjoy precise hand work
- I want to restore smiles
Still torn? Take the Orthodontist fit quiz and the Prosthodontist fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, orthodontist or prosthodontist?
Prosthodontists earn more at the median: $311,180 versus $289,140 for orthodontists, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Orthodontists typically train faster (10–11 years after high school) than prosthodontists (11 years after high school).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects orthodontists to grow +6.0% from 2025–35, compared with +5.8% for prosthodontists.