Orthodontists

Health Science · Therapeutic Services

Job zone 5: extensive preparationO*NET 29-1023.00

Pay and outlook shown for

median pay per year, United States (no San Antonio figure is published for this career)

$100k10th$289kMedian$416k90th

New workers start near $99,850; experienced workers reach $416,000. About 6,210 people do this job in United States.

Job outlook

U.S. projection, 2024 to 2034.

Employment change: +4%; nationwide
Openings a year: 200; nationwide, from growth and people leaving
Employed in 2024: 5,900; nationwide

Typical entry education: Doctoral or professional degree · Training: Internship/residency

Alamo Colleges programs that lead here

No program is mapped to this career yet. Many careers start from a transfer pre-major or a related program.

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Skills this career uses

The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.

Active Listening4.0
Speaking4.0
Critical Thinking4.0
Monitoring4.0
Complex Problem Solving4.0
Reading Comprehension4.1
Social Perceptiveness3.9
Coordination3.9

What the work is

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.

Fit dental appliances in patients' mouths to alter the position and relationship of teeth and jaws or to realign teeth.
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.
Diagnose teeth and jaw or other dental-facial abnormalities.
Examine patients to assess abnormalities of jaw development, tooth position, and other dental-facial structures.
Prepare diagnostic and treatment records.
Adjust dental appliances to produce and maintain normal function.

Education people in this job have

Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.

High school or less2%
Certificate8%
Bachelor's degree3%
Doctoral or professional88%

Job zone 5, extensive preparation: A graduate or professional degree, usually after a bachelor's.

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