Hiring guide · Healthcare
How to Hire an Orthodontist
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring orthodontists, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $289,140), recruit through community college and vocational program career centers, verify American Board of Orthodontics certification where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for orthodontists
There are about 7,100 orthodontists employed in the U.S., with roughly 200 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +6.0% from 2025–35 (faster than average). Expect competition for qualified candidates: speed and a strong offer matter.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $99,850–$146,580 | $48.00–$70.47 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $289,140 | $139.01 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $342,300 | $164.57 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $416,000 | $200.00 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- Doctoral or professional degree (typical entry level)
- Licensing or certification required in your state
- Orthodontic diagnosis
- Communication with families
Nice-to-haves
- American Board of Orthodontics certification
- State dental license
- Specialty license
- Experience with brackets and wires
Where to find orthodontists
- Community college and vocational program career centers
- Clinical externship and student-placement partnerships
- State nurse aide registries and healthcare job boards
- Employee referral programs
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: Braces Specialist, Orthodontic Specialist, Dentofacial Orthopedist, Invisalign Provider
Screening checklist
- Verify certifications and state registry or license status with the issuing body
- Background checks and federal exclusion-list (OIG LEIE) screening as required for your organization
- Immunization records, TB testing and drug screening according to policy and law
- Current BLS/CPR certification
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “Why orthodontics?”
What a strong answer includes: Share motivation.
2. “How do you work with kids?”
What a strong answer includes: Give examples.
3. “How do you choose braces vs. aligners?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain.
4. “How do you manage patient compliance?”
What a strong answer includes: Show strategies.
5. “Do you want to own a practice?”
What a strong answer includes: Share goals.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Bond Braces (see the steps)
- Explain Treatment to a Family (see the steps)
- Fit a Retainer (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as Malocclusion, Overbite, Underbite
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Orthodontist 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Orthodontist training. Show them the path forward: Orthodontic Resident → Associate Orthodontist → Practice Owner → Faculty.
Hiring orthodontists: FAQ
How much should I pay an orthodontist?
The U.S. median wage for orthodontists is $289,140 per year ($139.01/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($146,580), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($342,300). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should an orthodontist have?
BLS lists “doctoral or professional degree” as the typical entry-level education. Look for American Board of Orthodontics certification and State dental license where relevant, plus skills such as orthodontic diagnosis, biomechanics, and bracket placement.
How long does it take to train a new orthodontist?
Becoming qualified typically takes 10–11 years after high school. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “internship/residency.”