Dentists vs Orthodontists
Median pay is about $118k higher for Orthodontists. The usual entry education is doctoral (DDS/DMD) for Dentists and doctoral (DDS) plus residency for Orthodontists.
marks the higher pay or growth. Education, difficulty and the AI rows depend on what you want, so they are not marked.
| Measure | Dentists | Orthodontists |
|---|---|---|
| Pay | ||
| Median pay | $170,950 | $289,140, higher |
| Entry pay 25th percentile | $125,710 | $146,580, higher |
| Experienced pay 75th percentile | $224,040 | $342,300, higher |
| Outlook, 2025 to 2035 | ||
| Projected growth | +5.7% Growing fast | +6.0% Growing fast, higher |
| Openings a year | 4,200 | 200 |
| Getting in | ||
| Typical education | Doctoral (DDS/DMD) | Doctoral (DDS) plus residency |
| Difficulty modeled | 4.2 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
| AI | ||
| Displacement risk modeled | Low | Very low |
| AI exposure modeled, percentile | 62nd pct | 26th pct |
Skills
Both lean on the same top skills: critical thinking, reading comprehension, active listening, speaking, monitoring, active learning.
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Pay and outlook: BLS (OEWS 2025, Employment Projections 2025-2035). Skills: O*NET 30.3. Difficulty, displacement risk and AI exposure are modeled estimates. How these numbers are made.