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Orthodontist Salary in Charlotte

2026 · Official labour data · 8 comparison cities

$283,164/yr

Last updated: September 2026 · Source: BLS OEWS · modeled estimate, not a published figure for this area

Typical range: $236,051 $339,681

Very High Confidence · 97/100

How much does a Orthodontist make in Charlotte, NC?

A Orthodontist in Charlotte earns a median of $283,164/year (about $136/hour). Most earn between $236,051 (25th percentile) and $339,681 (75th percentile); top earners (90th percentile) make $400,281 or more — 2% below the US average. Figures are from BLS employer payroll data, not self-reports.

$200,314
Entry (P10)
$283,164
Median (P50)
$339,681
Top 25% (P75)
$400,281
Top 10% (P90)

Understanding these Orthodontist salary numbers

We report percentiles, not a single average, because pay isn't evenly spread — a handful of very high earners would drag an average upward and mislead you. Here's exactly what each figure means.

Median (P50) — $283,164

Half of Orthodontists in Charlotte earn more than this and half earn less. It's the most honest "typical" salary — better than an average, which gets skewed by a few top earners.

25th percentile (P25) — $236,051

The lower end of the typical range: 75% of Orthodontists earn more than this. It's common for early-career roles or lower-cost employers. Earning below it is grounds to negotiate.

75th percentile (P75) — $339,681

Your negotiation target: only 25% of Orthodontists earn above it. Reaching P75 usually means seniority, in-demand specialisations, or simply negotiating from data. See how to negotiate.

90th percentile (P90) — $400,281

Top earners: only 10% of Orthodontists make this or more — typically senior, highly specialised, or at the best-paying employers.

Gross vs after-tax pay

These figures are gross (before tax). What actually reaches your account depends on your country, state, and deductions. Estimate your net with the take-home calculator.

National vs Charlotte pay

City figures apply the local market premium to BLS data, so Charlotte differs from the US average by -2%. A higher number isn't always better once cost of living is counted.

Hourly rate — $136/hr

The hourly figure is the annual median divided by 2,080 (40 hours × 52 weeks). If you regularly work more than 40 hours, your real hourly rate is lower than this. Convert any salary with the salary calculator.

Why this differs from Glassdoor or Payscale

Those sites publish what people say they earn (self-reports), which skew high because higher earners report more often. Our figures come from mandatory employer payroll records (BLS OEWS), so they reflect the whole market — not just a vocal subset.

How current and reliable is this number?

This page carries a confidence score of 97/100, based on the data source and coverage. US figures track the latest BLS release and refresh automatically; international figures use OECD/ILO data. See the changelog for live data freshness.

What counts as a "good" Orthodontist salary in Charlotte?

Around the median ($283,164) is solid and $339,681+ is strong — but "good" really depends on local costs. Check what the number is actually worth with the good-salary breakdown for Charlotte.

Still curious how we get these numbers? Every figure is traceable to a primary source — see the full methodology and data sources.

Cite or reuse this data

Orthodontist salary in Charlotte, NC: median $283,164 (P75 $339,681), per BLS OEWS via Official Salary, 2026.

Free JSON: /api/salary?job=orthodontist&city=charlotte — no key. API & widgets →

Key insights for Orthodontists in Charlotte

✓ Reviewed by the Official Salary Data TeamUpdated September 2026Source: BLS OES 2026Confidence: Very HighMethodology
  • After a simplified take-home estimate, $283K nets about $178K/yr — roughly $146K/yr left after typical single-person living costs here.
  • Pay climbs with seniority: a senior/staff Orthodontist reaches about $362K — a +28% step from mid-level.
Official Salary Verdict™
Typical Range

Orthodontists in Charlotte typically earn $236K–$340K a year.

Market Median

The market median is $283K — half earn above, half earn below.

Top Earners

Top earners (top 10%) make $400K or more.

High-Paying Role

Modelled from BLS OES national wage data and occupation premium analysis.

Official government labour statistics (BLS OEWS)Updated monthly via BLS APIHuman-reviewed methodologyConfidence Score: 97/100Editorial policy →

Orthodontist Salary Analysis — Charlotte

Orthodontists in Charlotte earn a median salary of $283K, which is 2% below the national median of $289K. Charlotte's established technology sector sustains above-average demand for this role, supporting premium compensation.

Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) and employer payroll records. Figures represent the median (P50) across all experience levels in Charlotte.

Cost of Living Adjustment

Charlotte's cost of living is 4% below the US average. Your $283K salary has the equivalent purchasing power of approximately $295K in a city with average US living costs.

$283K
Nominal salary
-4%
CoL vs US avg
$295K
Real value

Salary Distribution — Charlotte

5-band distribution from employer payroll records

P10Entry Level
$200,314

New graduates, 0–1 yr exp

P2525th Percentile
$236,051

1–3 years experience

P50Median
$283,164

3–7 years, typical professional

P7575th Percentile
$339,681

Senior / high-performer — target

P90Top 10%
$400,281

Staff / principal / lead

Orthodontist salary chart for Charlotte, NC, 2026: median $283K, top 25% earn $340K+, from BLS employer payroll data
Orthodontist pay in Charlotte — free to share with attributionDownload chart
-2%
vs US avg
+6%
demand growth
Low
AI risk
Data Confidence
97/100A+
BLS.OEWS.2026.v2Updated Sep 2, 2026

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Official Salary Fair Pay Score™

Is $283K a good salary for Orthodontist in Charlotte?

Benchmarked against the official BLS wage distribution for Orthodontists in Charlotte

50
$283K sits exactly at the market median

Half of Orthodontists in Charlotte earn more, half earn less. Enter your own salary in the checker above to see your exact percentile against this distribution.

Bottom 10%: $200K·Median: $283K·Top 10%: $400K
Underpaid← MedianTop earner
Adjusted · 89% confidenceSource reliability: 40/40 (BLS)

Why This Salary?

How we arrived at $283K for Orthodontists in Charlotte

-4%
Charlotte metro premium
This city has a lower cost of living, reflected in typical salary ranges.
+35%
Occupation skill premium
Orthodontists earn well above the national average due to specialized skills required.

Source: BLS OES. All figures reflect 2026 market conditions.

Orthodontist Salary by Experience Level in Charlotte

How compensation grows from entry-level through staff / lead

Experience LevelYearsPercentileAnnual SalaryMonthlyHourly
Entry00 yrs$198,215$16,518$95
Junior22 yrs$243,521$20,293$117
Mid-LevelTypical44 yrs$269,950$22,496$130
Senior66 yrs$299,021$24,918$144
Staff1010 yrs$362,450$30,204$174
Principal1414 yrs$416,817$34,735$200
Distinguished1818 yrs$430,409$35,867$207

Based on BLS OEWS percentile distribution. Actual salary depends on employer, skills, and negotiation.

Skills That Earn More — Orthodontist

Estimated premium above the Charlotte median based on market demand

Orthodontics+4% ≈ +$11K/yr
Braces+4% ≈ +$11K/yr
Invisalign+4% ≈ +$11K/yr
Cephalometry+4% ≈ +$11K/yr
Oral Surgery+4% ≈ +$11K/yr

Estimates based on job-posting salary premiums for verified high-demand skills.

Orthodontist Intelligence Report

Career metrics and full compensation breakdown — from BLS demand data

Career Opportunity Score

Composite: demand growth × 1.4 + (100 − AI risk) × 0.4

D44/100
High RiskModerateExceptional
Demand Growth+6%/yr
AI Displacement Risk10% — Low
Risk-Adj. Salary Growth+1.5%/yr
Below Average: Moderate risk from automation. Consider adjacent skills to broaden earning power.
$292K
In 2 yrs
$305K
In 5 yrs
$329K
In 10 yrs

Total Compensation — Orthodontist

Beyond base salary: bonus, equity, and benefits

Total Comp Range
$361K$387K
per year
Base (76%)Bonus (6%)Equity (2%)Benefits (17%)
Base Salary
Median market rate
$283,164
Annual Bonus
Typical: 3–12% of base
$21,238
Equity (annualised)
~3% of base — RSUs/options
$7,079
Benefits Value
~22% — healthcare, 401k, PTO
$62,296
Total Comp (mid)
$373,777

Bonus, equity, and benefits are modelled estimates from category norms (not scraped from any single employer); base is BLS. Actual total comp varies by employer, level, and negotiation.

Typical Benefits for Orthodontists

— show

Often adds 20–35% to your effective pay

Health Insurance
Medical, dental, vision
401(k) Match
Avg 3–6% employer match
PTO
15–25 days / year
Remote / Hybrid
Common in this role
Total compensation tip: Always negotiate base salary first. Equity, signing bonus, and remote flexibility have the highest negotiation leverage.

Compare Orthodontist Salaries by City

How Charlotte, NC stacks up against other major markets

CityMedianP75vs US avg
Charlotte, NC (current)$283,164$339,681+-2%
New York, NY$281,850$445,400+-3%
San Francisco, CA$414,875$497,680++43%
Seattle, WA$410,008$491,842++42%
Austin, TX$329,388$395,131++14%
Boston, MA$369,314$443,025++28%
Chicago, IL$302,548$362,934++5%
Los Angeles, CA$315,878$378,924++9%
Denver, CO$354,735$425,537++23%

Official Salary Career GPS™

What should I do next as a Orthodontist?

O*NET · US Dept of Labor

Higher-paying roles in the same field

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Orthodontist salary in Charlotte, NC?

The estimated median Orthodontist salary in Charlotte, NC is $283K per year (2026). This is a modeled estimate derived from national wage data adjusted for local cost levels, not a published government figure for this area.

What is a good Orthodontist salary in Charlotte, NC?

The 75th percentile ($340K/yr) is the professional benchmark — what the top quarter already earns. It's a documented, negotiable target backed by BLS payroll data. Anything above the median ($283K) is above-average for this role in Charlotte, NC.

How much does a Orthodontist earn per hour in Charlotte, NC?

Based on the median annual salary of $283K, a Orthodontist in Charlotte, NC earns approximately $136/hr (2,080-hour work year). The P75 rate is ~$163/hr.

Is Charlotte, NC a good market for Orthodontists?

Charlotte, NC pays 2% below the US national average for this role. BLS projects 6% employment growth for Orthodontists over 2022–2032, and AI automation risk is rated low for this occupation.

How do I negotiate a higher Orthodontist salary in Charlotte, NC?

Cite the BLS P75 figure ($340K) — it is verifiable public data from government payroll records. Request the full compensation package: base + equity/bonus + benefits. Timing matters: negotiate at the offer stage, not after acceptance. Counter with a specific number, not a range.

What is the entry-level Orthodontist salary in Charlotte, NC?

Entry-level Orthodontists in Charlotte, NC (10th–25th percentile) earn roughly $200K–$236K per year, rising toward the $283K median with experience and in-demand skills.

What does a senior Orthodontist earn in Charlotte, NC?

Senior Orthodontists in Charlotte, NC — the top quartile up to the 90th percentile — earn about $340K–$400K per year, with the top 10% making $400K+.

How Is This Salary Calculated?

Every number is derived from a transparent, reproducible methodology — no estimates, no black boxes.

Where does the salary data come from?

US metro figures are published estimates from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, which covers roughly 1.1 million employer establishments. Where BLS does not publish a figure for an occupation and area, this site shows a modeled estimate and labels it as one.

How is the Charlotte figure calculated?

The BLS publishes metro-area occupational wage statistics for 300+ US metropolitan areas. For Charlotte, Official Salary uses the BLS metro premium ratio (metro median ÷ national median) and applies it to the national baseline.

What do P10, P25, P50, P75, and P90 mean?

These are salary percentiles from employer payroll records. P50 (median) means 50% of workers earn less. P75 means 75% earn less — this is the recommended negotiation anchor. P10 and P90 represent the bottom 10% and top 10% respectively.

How is take-home pay estimated?

Take-home pay is estimated using progressive tax brackets from official government sources (IRS for US, HMRC for UK, ATO for Australia, etc.). Social contributions (National Insurance, FICA, etc.) are added. These are estimates — actual take-home depends on deductions, filing status, and location.

How often is data updated?

US BLS salary data refreshes every 24 hours via the BLS public API. OECD international wages refresh monthly. ECB currency rates refresh every 4 hours.

Full formulas and source citations on the methodology page.

What a Orthodontist salary really means in Charlotte

Take-home pay, rent affordability, and remote benchmarking — on the $283,164 median.

Estimated take-home

$197,130/yr

$16,428/month net

Gross median
$283,164
Income tax
$64,372
Social / FICA
$21,662
Effective rate
30%

Federal income tax only (FICA included). State income tax varies. Single-filer estimate — not tax advice.

Rent affordability

7%

of take-home on a typical 1-bed (~$1,130/mo)

The 30% rule says housing should stay under 30% of take-home. Here it's comfortably within that line. After all living costs (~$2,690/mo), roughly $13,738/mo is left to save or invest.

Cost-of-living estimate for Charlotte; rent ≈ 42% of budget.

Remote vs onsite

$283,164$289,140

typical fully-remote benchmark range

Onsite Orthodontists in Charlotte earn the local median of $283,164. Fully-remote roles are usually benchmarked between the US median ($289,140) and the local rate — employers increasingly set remote pay by national or regional bands, not your city.

Compare all Orthodontist markets →
✓ Reviewed by the Official Salary Data TeamUpdated September 2026Source: BLS OES 2026Confidence: Very HighMethodology

How to reach the top 25% as a Orthodontist in Charlotte

The gap between a typical Orthodontist and the top quartile in Charlotte is $56,517/year — about $4,710/month more than the median. Reaching the 75th percentile ($339,681) usually comes down to seniority, in-demand specialisations, and negotiating from real data instead of hoping for a raise.

Orthodontist Salary Trend (2019–2024)

BLS OES historical national medians

2019 median
$289K
2024 median
$289K

Source: BLS OEWS 2019–2024. City-level data uses national trend × metro premium.

Education Premium — Orthodontist

How degree level affects salary · ACS Census data

High School / GED
-45%
~$156K
Associate's Degree
-18%
~$232K
Bachelor's DegreeBASELINE
~$283K
Master's Degree
+20%
~$340K
Doctoral (PhD)
+18%
~$334K
Professional (MBA/JD/MD)
+130%
~$651K

Source: US Census Bureau ACS PUMS · BLS OES wage data.

Negotiation Deep-Dive

Get your data-backed negotiation opening ask and walking-away floor.

📊Your exact market percentile based on BLS distribution
🎯P75 target + 10% stretch as your opening ask price
🚪Walking-away floor so you know when to move on
Charlotte benchmarks
$283K
Market median
$340K
P75 target
$400K
Top 10%

Negotiation Calculator

Enter your current salary to see your market position and opening ask

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Orthodontist in Charlotte — Distribution
P10
$200K
P25
$236K
P50
$283K
P75
$340K
P90
$400K
Enter your salary above to see your negotiation position

Data Source & Attribution

This page’s figures are a modeled estimate: a national occupation wage adjusted for local cost levels. BLS does not publish a figure for this occupation and area, so these numbers are not a government measurement and should not be cited as one. International figures draw on OECD Average Wages, Eurostat SES, and ILO ILOSTAT.

BLS.OEWS.2026.v2

Sep 2, 2026

Full methodology →
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