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Orthodontists

Straightens teeth and fixes bites with braces and aligners.

Typical education to startDoctoral or professional degree
Job outlook2025–2035: +6%
Median pay$289,140 a year (2025)
Interest codeIRC Investigative, Realistic, Conventional

Read the full guide

Orthodontists diagnose problems with how teeth and jaws line up, and treat them with braces, clear aligners and other appliances, mostly for kids and teens. Most run or join private practices.

Open the orthodontist guide

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High school courses that build toward it

Ranked by how much the job relies on what each course teaches, from O*NET's knowledge ratings. Your school's own courses and the counselor have the final word.

Orthodontists on O*NET OnLine · O*NET 31.0 (U.S. Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0); BLS Employment Projections 2025.