How Much Does an Orthodontist Make in Texas?

In Texas, orthodontists can make between $230,000 and $300,000, and in some cases more than that.

How much an orthodontist will bring into their practice will depend on a number of factors.

To reach this point in Texas, potential orthodontists have to pass entrance exams and complete a lot of education in order to reach that goal.

An orthodontist in Texas will make approximately $239,000 a year to $300,000 a year and in some cases more.

It can also be expected that an orthodontist in Texas could make less than that in one year. To become an orthodontist in Texas, the Dental Acceptance Test must be passed, and a number of years and courses of education must be completed.

Table of Contents

What is an orthodontist?

orthodontists

An orthodontist is a specialized dentist that diagnoses and treats irregularities in the teeth, specifically their alignments.

In many cases, an orthodontist can work on reconstructions and facial changes, but most work focuses on irregularities of the jaw and the alignment of the teeth.

An orthodontist is a dentist that has taken all of the required education and exams for dentistry and also gone on to complete a specialization in orthodontics.

It is estimated that approximately 50 percent of the world has serious facial problems that require orthodontic specializations.

Orthodontics can help those problems, but they aren’t always necessary and aren’t always recommended.

Treatment can take as long as a few years in some cases, and this could have an impact on the quality of life of many.

Still, there are many people that need to have it done in order to eat better and experience improved quality of life.

Jaw surgery is often the treatment for people that suffer from a serious facial problem. In many cases, orthodontics can treat and prevent lifelong pain and suffering.

Jaw surgery

What is the average pay for orthodontists in Texas?

The average pay for orthodontists in Texas is approximately $254,418 annually or $122 per hour.

That works out to almost five thousand weekly, and $21,000 monthly.

On the opposite end of the scale, an orthodontist could make up to $346,000 annually, and even as low as $60,000 annually.

The majority of the low earners are making $225,000 annually, while the high earners are making $323,000 annually.

Most of these salaries are for seasoned orthodontists, with entry-level orthodontists making approximately $100,000 annually.

Texas is not one of the highest-paid states for orthodontists and ranks 38 in the nation of the 50 states when it comes to the salaries of orthodontists.

Where is the highest pay for orthodontists in Texas?

Austin

The highest pay for orthodontists in Texas is found in Austin, according to a study on Zip Recruiter.

The salary for an orthodontist in Austin is approximately $325,000 with a monthly payment of $27,000. That is 27 percent above the state’s average.

In second place for salaries of orthodontists in Texas is Odessa, Texas, with a slightly lower base annual salary of $323,000 annually or $26,000 monthly.

In Irving, orthodontists make approximately $317,000 annually, and in Frisco, Texas orthodontists make $316,000 annually.

In Denton, Texas orthodontists rank fifth in the state, making $302,000 annually.

The next five cities in Texas and their corresponding orthodontist salaries are as follows:

  • Pasadena: $296,000 annual/$24,000 monthly
  • Beaumont: $293,000 annual/$24,000 monthly
  • McKinney: $293,000 annual/$24,000 monthly
  • Mesquite: $287,000 annual/$23,000 monthly
  • Pearland: $287,000 annual/$23,000 monthly
McKinney

What is required to become an orthodontist in Texas?

In order to become an orthodontist in Texas, at least eight years of school and a Dental Acceptance Test is required.

The Dental Acceptance Test is taken prior to applying to school and is a critical requirement to enter or be accepted by many schools.

A bachelor’s degree is required in order for students to attend dental school, and this is where the first four years of education to become an orthodontist will take place.

During the last year of undergraduate school and just prior to entering dental college, the DAT must be taken.

This is the Dental Acceptance Test which is the test that is taken as an entrance requirement prior to dental school.

This test is a key component of acceptance into a dental school, with many Ivy League schools requiring a 98 percent on this test in order to accept a student into dental school.

Once this hurdle has been met, students will attend dental school and will take classes in anesthesia, radiology, periodontology, physics, math, biology, anatomy, and chemistry.

dental school

In addition to science, potential new dentists will take courses that are practical in nature, and also complete lab work.

Following that, dentists that want to specialize can go on to study orthodontics to become an orthodontist.

Is the Dental Acceptance Test (DAT) difficult?

Yes, the Dental Acceptance Test or DAT is very difficult. There is a total of five hours given for the exam, and the exam consists of four sections.

The sections for the exam are Natural Sciences, Perceptual Ability, Reading Comprehension, and Quantitative Reasoning.

The survey on Natural Sciences is divided into three sections. That includes general chemistry, organic chemistry, and biology.

The perceptual ability test is about spatial orientation, which examines how students intuitively interact with the world.

Paper folding, cube counting, and 3D development are examined here.

organic chemistry

In the reading comprehension component of the test, there are three reading sections, with 50 questions each that assess the student’s ability to analyze science.

The quantitative reasoning test is largely mathematical and tests algebra, statistics, data analysis, probabilities, and different levels of interpretation of numbers.

The test is scored out of 30 overall, with eight different marking examinations.

After the test, how do you become an orthodontist?

After you take the DAT, you must undergo dental training. Following that, you will choose the orthodontic specialty and have to take a residency in order to become an orthodontist.

The average length of time for an orthodontist’s residency program is approximately 1 to 2 years, although some residencies can take from 2 to 5 years if the potential orthodontist wants to teach during their residency.

The advantage to that would be to begin making money before they get out of school. Students who complete dental school and don’t want to become an orthodontist can go on to begin practicing dentistry.

 potential orthodontist

After dental school, potential orthodontists can apply for their dentistry license before they go on to take their residency.

All orthodontists will need a license to practice their field, as will all dentists. This can be obtained after passing the DAT, then dentistry school, and then another practical and written exam.

What other skills does a potential orthodontist in Texas need to have?

All of this education is mandatory to become an orthodontist in Texas, but additional skills are required to be successful as well.

A good bedside manner and good human relations skills for human resources are needed as well.

Excellent leadership helps, but this is often built-in for someone that takes so many years of education.

Orthodontists also need to be detail-oriented and have good hand dexterity. Still, a dentist can practice fine motor skills and dexterity during the many hours of practical work they will undertake in college.

 good hand dexterity

A patient spirit and good physical stamina for long hours will also help any budding orthodontist.