Orthodontists, like many other healthcare professionals, have diverse salaries that depend on a multitude of factors such as their area of specialization, geographical location, experience, and work setting.

Having a comprehensive understanding of the typical salary range for orthodontists can be immensely valuable when negotiating job offers or planning for one’s financial future.

What is the average orthodontist salary? 

According to the BLS, the mean annual wage for orthodontists is $267,280. 

How much do orthodontists make per hour?

The mean annual wage for orthodontists as reported by the BLS equates to an hourly wage of $128.50.

Orthodontist salary by state: What do physicians make in each state?

Orthodontists’ salaries can vary greatly by state and territory, ranging from $215,304 in Louisiana to $348,674 in Hawaii. According to ZipRecruiter, these are the annual mean salaries for orthodontists by state:

When it comes to the medical profession, doctors are divided into two major categories – primary care physicians (PCPs) and specialists. Both play an essential role in the healthcare system, but they differ in their training, responsibilities, and compensation. Knowing salary, benefits, work-life balance, and other factors can help you understand the area you want to pursue.

Salary

Are PCPs or specialists paid more?

According to the Medical Group Management Association’s (MGMA) Physician Compensation and Production Survey, the average annual compensation for PCPs in 2021 was $268,000, while specialists earned an average of $458,000 per year. A 2022 report from Medscape provides similar numbers, finding that PCPs make $260,000 and specialists make $368,000 annually. 

The MGMA survey found that the highest-paid specialists were orthopedic surgeons, who earned an average of $700,000 per year, followed by cardiologists, who earned an average of $675,000. Meanwhile, Medscape found plastic surgery to be the highest earning salary with an annual compensation of $576,000 with orthopedics ($557,000) and cardiology ($490,000) following behind.

How is salary changing for PCPs and specialists?

Between 2015 and 2022, primary care salaries increased by 33%, and specialist salaries increased by 30%, according to Medscape.

How do bonuses differ for PCPs and specialists?

According to a Medscape survey, 57% of physicians receive an incentive bonus. Average bonuses for the specialties that are often PCPs, like family medicine ($30,000), internal medicine ($29,000), and pediatrics ($28,000), are generally lower than most specialists’ bonuses. Orthopedics is at the top with an average bonus of $126,000, followed by ophthalmology ($100,000) and cardiology ($85,000). Other specialties like psychiatry ($33,000) and neurology ($29,000) have bonuses similar to those of PCPs.

How does the gender wage gap differ between male and female physicians?

The gender salary gap is fairly similar between PCPs and specialists, according to Medscape. In primary care, men earn 25% more than women—with average salaries of $285,000 and $228,000 respectively. In specialties, men earn 31% more, though this has declined in recent years. Male specialists earn an average of $402,000, while female specialists earn an average of $307,000.

Benefits

While compensation is a significant factor in a physician’s career, benefits also play a critical role in attracting and retaining talent. Most physicians receive benefits such as health insurance, malpractice insurance, retirement plans, and vacation time. However, the level of benefits could vary depending on your employer and specialty.

According to the MGMA survey, 95% of PCPs received health insurance benefits, while 90% received malpractice insurance. In contrast, 97% of specialists received health insurance benefits, and 92% received malpractice insurance. The survey also found that specialists were more likely to receive other benefits, such as continuing medical education (CME) allowances, signing bonuses, and productivity bonuses.

Work-Life Balance

One of the most significant differences between PCPs and specialists is their work-life balance. PCPs typically work regular hours, seeing patients during the day and having evenings and weekends off. In contrast, specialists may have more irregular schedules and be on call for emergencies.

Patient Interaction

Another significant difference between PCPs and specialists is their patient interaction. PCPs see a wide range of patients, from children to seniors, and are responsible for managing their patients’ overall health and wellness. In contrast, specialists focus on a specific area of medicine, such as cardiology or orthopedics, and see patients with specific conditions or diseases.

As a result, PCPs may have a more diverse patient population, while specialists may have a more specialized and focused practice. This can impact their daily workload and the types of cases they see.

Making the choice

PCPs and specialists both play critical roles in the healthcare system, but they differ in their training, compensation, and some data on burnout differences.

Ultimately, the choice between becoming a PCP and a specialist depends on individual interests, skills, and priorities. Those who enjoy developing relationships with a broad range of patients and taking a holistic approach to care may find primary care to be more fulfilling. On the other hand, those who enjoy mastering a specific area of medicine and working with complex cases may find specialty medicine to be more rewarding.

It is also worth noting that the healthcare system relies heavily on PCPs to provide preventative care and manage chronic conditions, which can improve patient outcomes and reduce overall healthcare costs. However, the shortage of PCPs in some areas can lead to burnout and higher patient volumes for those who do choose this path.

In contrast, specialists are often in high demand, particularly in areas such as surgery, cardiology, and oncology, which can lead to more competitive salaries and better job security. Both primary care and specialty care are vital to providing quality healthcare, and both offer unique rewards and challenges.

Find more doctor-specific articles on our Resources page or check out: 

• What Is The Average Pediatrician Salary?
• What Is The Average Surgeon Salary?
• What Is The Average Family Medicine Physician Salary?

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, there were 60,305 active pediatricians in the U.S. in 2021. 

Pediatricians have varying salaries based on specialty, location and other factors, but it is a good idea to have a general understanding of salary to help guide negotiations and create a financial plan.

What is the average pediatrician salary? 

According to the BLS, the mean annual wage for pediatricians is $198,420. 

Medscape reports that general pediatricians’ average annual earnings were $244,000 in 2022.

How much do pediatricians make per hour?

The mean annual wage for pediatricians as reported by the BLS equates to an hourly wage of $95.40.

Pediatrician salary by state: What do physicians make in each state?

Pediatricians’ salaries can vary greatly by state and territory, ranging from $91,350 in Puerto Rico to $297,280 in Montana. According to the BLS, these are the annual mean salaries for pediatricians by state:

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, there were 24,880 active general surgeons in the U.S. in 2021. That number almost triples when you factor in surgery specialties like plastic, orthopedic, vascular and more.

Surgeons have varying salaries based on specialty, location and other factors, but it is a good idea to have a general understanding of salary to help guide negotiations and create a financial plan.

There is varying data available for surgeon salaries, but in this article we will use Medscape’s general surgeon salary data and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ “all other surgeons,” which includes all surgical specialties except orthopedic and pediatric surgeons and ophthalmologists.

What is the average surgeon salary? 

According to the BLS, the mean annual wage for “all other” surgeons is $297,800. 

Medscape reports that general surgeons’ average annual earnings were $402,000 in 2022.

How much do surgeons make per hour?

The mean annual wage for surgeons as reported by the BLS equates to an hourly wage of $143.17.

Surgeon salary by state: What do physicians make in each state?

Surgeons’ salaries can vary greatly by state and territory, ranging from $193,080 in Alabama to $359,220 in North Dakota. According to the BLS, these are the annual mean salaries for “all other” surgeons by state:

About 12.5% of all active physicians in the U.S. are family medicine physicians, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. Whether considering the specialty during medical school or training or practicing as a family medicine physician, having an income expectation can help guide salary negotiations and create a long-term financial plan. 

What is the average physician salary? 

The average annual salary for all physicians is $339,000, according to an April 2022 report from Medscape. When broken down further, primary care physicians made an average of $260,000 annually, while specialists made an average of $368,000.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage for family medicine physicians specifically is $235,930.

How much do family medicine physicians make per hour?

The mean annual wage for general family medicine physicians as reported by the BLS equates to an hourly wage of $113.43.

Family medicine physician salary by state: What do physicians make in each state?

Family medicine physicians’ salaries can vary greatly by state and territory, ranging from $94,050 in Puerto Rico to $305,960 in Idaho. According to the BLS, these are the annual mean salaries for general physicians, family medicine, by state:

• Alabama – $233,180
• Alaska – $297,130
• Arizona – $224,220
• Arkansas – $240,940
• California – $261,260
• Colorado – $223,040
• Connecticut – $223,220
• Delaware – $239,450
• District of Columbia — $217,500
• Florida – $221,020
• Georgia – $220,070
• Hawaii – $215,180
• Idaho – $305,960
• Illinois – $255,310
• Indiana – $271,470
• Iowa – $270,990
• Kansas – $243,810
• Kentucky – $248,220
• Louisiana – $173,530
• Maine – $192,980
• Maryland – $230,530
• Massachusetts – $259,460
• Michigan – $232,660
• Minnesota – $258,080
• Mississippi – $209,210
• Missouri – $203,740
• Montana – $256,730
• Nebraska – $236,870
• Nevada – $247,520
• New Hampshire – $294,830
• New Jersey – $219,000
• New Mexico – $197,020
• New York – $219,820
• North Carolina – $240,330
• North Dakota – $273,010
• Ohio – $206,220
• Oklahoma – $229,750
• Oregon – not available
• Pennsylvania – $218,130
• Puerto Rico – $94,050
• Rhode Island – $224,440
• South Carolina – $247,780
• South Dakota – $215,500
• Tennessee – $230,550
• Texas – $220,590
• Utah – $214,700
• Vermont – $204,400
• Virginia – $247,890
• Washington – $266,190 
• West Virginia – $227,500
• Wisconsin – $261,250
• Wyoming – $282,550
  

Highest paying states for family medicine physicians

According to the BLS, these are the highest paying states for physicians specializing in family medicine:

1. Idaho – $305,960
2. Alaska – $297,130
3. New Hampshire – $294,830
4. Wyoming – $282,550
5. North Dakota – $273,010

Physician salary by specialty: How do family medicine physicians’ salaries compare to other specialties?

According to Medscape, family medicine physicians make an average of $255,000 per year. The average salaries for other medical specialties are as follows:

• Plastic surgery – $576,000
• Orthopedics – $557,000
• Cardiology – $490,000
• Otolaryngology – $469,000
• Urology – $461,000
• Gastroenterology – $453,000
• Dermatology – $438,000
• Radiology – $437,000
• Ophthalmology – $417,000
• Oncology – $411,000
• Anesthesiology – $405,000
• Surgery, general – $402,000
• Emergency medicine – $373,000
• Critical care – $369,000
• Pulmonary medicine – $353,000
• Ob/Gyn – $336,000
• Pathology – $334,000
• Nephrology – $329,000
• Physical medicine & rehabilitation – $322,000
• Neurology – $301,000
• Allergy & immunology – $298,000
• Rheumatology – $289,000
• Psychiatry – $287,000
• Internal medicine – $264,000
• Infectious diseases – $260,000
• Diabetes & endocrinology – $257,000
• Pediatrics – $244,000
• Public health & preventive medicine – $243,000

How do family medicine physicians’ bonuses compare to other bonuses?

According to data from Medscape, 57% of physicians receive an incentive bonus as part of their income. The average annual bonus for a family medicine physician is $30,000.

Other specialties’ average incentive bonuses are

• Orthopedics – $126,000
• Ophthalmology – $100,000
• Cardiology – $85,000
• Gastroenterology – $74,000
• Urology – $73,000
• Anesthesiology – $68,000
• Radiology – $66,000
• Pathology – $54,000
• Emergency Medicine – $51,000
• Ob/Gyn – $49,000
• Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation – $48,000
• Surgery, General – $46,000
• Psychiatry – $33,000
• Internal Medicine – $29,000
• Neurology – $29,000
• Pediatrics – $28,000

Do employed or self-employed physicians earn more?

According to Medscape, self-employed physicians earned an average of 20% more than their employed peers. Self-employed physicians make an average of $385K, while employed physicians earn an average of $320K.

Before you go…

These salary figures are simply averages from surveys and can differ at different practices in different locations.

For many physicians, including family medicine physicians, it can be difficult to adjust to the large jump in income from training to practice. Having support and resources can help you feel confident as you negotiate and navigate your new salary. If you need help with financial planning, budgeting, taxes, or other areas, we can connect you with industry-specific experts for free. Find out more about our Build Your Team program here.

For more helpful information and tips, visit our Resources page or read one of our featured articles below:

• Considering a Job Change? Here’s What Doctors Should Know
• How Doctors Can Improve Their Credit Score & Other Common Credit Score Questions
• What You Need to Know About Credit Card Consolidation for Doctors
• Personal Loans for Doctors: What You Need to Know

Panacea Financial, a division of Primis. Member FDIC.

Deciding to leave one job for another can be a big life change. Whether making this decision because of advancement opportunities, desire for a new location, or dissatisfaction with your current role, consider these things before you make the leap.

Are doctors changing jobs? 

From 2020 to 2022, 46% of physicians changed jobs, according to CHG Healthcare.

According to a recent survey of physicians and advanced practice providers from The Medicus Firm, 58.7% of respondents indicated they plan to or are open to making a career change in the next 12 months. Additionally, the percentage of respondents who would “definitely not” make a change was halved from 30% in 2020 to 14.8% in 2022.

Why are doctors changing jobs?

The COVID-19 pandemic put significant strain on the healthcare community. Prior to 2020, burnout rates had declined consistently for six years, reaching a low of 38.2%, according to a survey from Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Only two years later, the rate now stands at 62.8%.

The Medicus Firm reports the two greatest motivating factors for career changes for healthcare providers are better quality of life (32.6%) and increased compensation (27.5%). CHG Healthcare backs up this data with 35.2% of respondents desiring better work/life balance and 12.6% of respondents wanting increased compensation. 

Are you prepared financially to leave your job?

If you have decided to leave your current position without a job lined up, you want to have your finances in order, to sustain you for several weeks, even months. The last thing you want to do while navigating the challenges of finding a new position is be overwhelmed with financial stress due to poor planning.

An emergency fund can come in handy for this need. This is a financial safety that is easily accessible and ready when a need arises. Three to six months of living expenses saved up can be extremely useful. 

Because an emergency fund needs to be accessible, there are limited options for where to store your funds. A traditional savings account works, but keeping your money in a high-yield savings account means your money will grow passively while you store it until it is needed. We offer a competitive rate and excellent services on our high-yield savings account that can be a great place to build your emergency fund.

You can learn more about how to build and use emergency funds here.

Looking for another job

How should I prepare for looking for a new job? 

Here are some tips to determine what job will be best for you:

• Know your priorities. If you already have a job (or two) under your belt, what did you like and not like? How important are things like location, schedule flexibility, PSLF eligibility and compensation? 
• Determine your practice preferences. Do you want to work alone at a solo practice? Do you want to be part of a larger organization like a hospital or single-specialty group practice? Are you interested in locum tenens work?

How do I choose the right workplace for me?

It can be overwhelming to assess job opportunities and truly determine if they are a good fit for your needs. If you are considering a job transition, there is likely something in your current role that doesn’t fulfill your needs. This is why it is imperative to thoroughly assess your next position.

Use the priorities and preferences you identified to guide your search as you consider the following:

• Evaluate support and quality of life. A place of employment’s support team, typical work schedule, call schedule and vacation time are important factors that can influence your job satisfaction.
• Understand the workplace culture. Culture can have a significant effect on your day-to-day experiences in a workplace. Learn how co-workers interact with each other, how feedback is handled, and if work-life balance is valued.
• Assess the compensation. How will the employer’s compensation structure affect you? Does the company have the benefits (insurance, retirement, etc.) that you desire?

When you find your next position

If you made the leap and found a new position that is a better fit for you, congrats! Now, it’s time to finalize the details and begin your new role.

Review and negotiate your contract

Hospitals and practices are businesses, which means they want to cater to their needs and create contracts that best suit them, but you will want to be sure the contract fulfills your needs. Check that all aspects match what you agreed on during the interview process, and review any non-compete agreements.

An experienced contract lawyer can assist you in this and advise you on any areas for negotiation. Depending on the circumstances, a contract lawyer can negotiate with your employer on your behalf or coach you through your negotiation. Read more about how a contract lawyer can help you here.

Finding a trusted contract lawyer with experience working with doctors can be a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be. Our Build Your Team program was built for this need. We have trusted, vetted advisors in every field, including law, that can help you reach your goals.

Sign your contract

Once your contract has been thoroughly reviewed and negotiated if necessary, you are ready to sign! Congrats on your new role, and we wish you luck in this next stage of your career!

Additional resources

For other helpful resources to help you throughout your career journey, visit the Resources page or check out our curated list below: 

• A Doctor’s Guide to Building an Emergency Fund
• How Contract Lawyers Help Doctors
• A Doctor’s Guide to Selecting and Using a CPA

Panacea Financial, a division of Primis. Member FDIC.

Whether just beginning dental school, in training, or already a practicing dentist, having an income expectation can help guide salary negotiations and create a long-term financial plan. 

What is the average dentist salary? 

The mean annual wage for general dentists was $160,160 as of May 2021, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Based on percentile wage estimates from the BLS, the 10th percentile of dentists makes $62,810. The 25th percentile makes $101,570, the 50th makes $160,370, the 75th and 90th makes more than $208,000 per year. 

How much do dentists make per hour?

The mean annual wage reported by the BLS equates to an hourly wage of $80.37.

As a doctor, you will likely encounter many contracts throughout your career. Whether an employment contract or a business deal for your practice, contracts are a common part of professional life that require careful review.

A contract lawyer can be an incredibly useful advisor as you navigate the legal documents you may encounter. Learn how these experts are equipped to help you below.

What is a contract lawyer?

A contract lawyer is a legal professional who drafts, manages and executes contracts between parties. While their main responsibilities include creating and revising legal contracts and documents, other potential responsibilities include: 

• Regulatory and compliance requirements
• Labor and employment issues
• Real estate transactions
• Mergers and acquisitions deals

When do doctors need a contract attorney?

Contract attorneys can be useful advisors throughout a doctor’s career. Let’s walk through some examples of when they can help:

When being hired…

Whether accepting your first job after residency or entering a new job well into your career, considering a new position can be both exciting and daunting. Hospitals and practices are businesses, which means they want to cater to their needs and create contracts that best suit them. 

An experienced contract lawyer — especially if they have experience working with doctors — can ensure your contract works for your needs and advise you on any areas for negotiation. Depending on the circumstances, a contract lawyer can negotiate with your employer on your behalf or coach you through your negotiation.

Aspects of a contract a lawyer will review: 

• Compensation & benefits
• Non-compete clauses
• Malpractice insurance provisions
• Termination processes
• Exit notice rules

Additionally, a tenured attorney with experience in your field may have knowledge of your prospective employer and the local healthcare market. If the attorney has worked with other employees of the company, they may have insight into what terms the employer may be willing to negotiate. Your attorney may also be able to provide input regarding whether the employer would be a good fit for you based on their experience and knowledge of the company’s competence, reputation and culture.

Understanding a non-compete agreement

Non-compete agreements are common in medical, dental and veterinary employment contracts, but doctors should be wary of accepting them without careful review. These clauses can restrict a doctor from working at a competing practice or starting their own practice within a certain geographical distance in a certain period of time. 

According to Medscape, nearly half of primary care physicians surveyed were bound by a non-compete clause. It is important to understand exactly how the terms could affect you before agreeing to them. Additionally, states have varying requirements for these covenants that a lawyer would have knowledge of and share that with you as you consider the offer.

When leaving a job…

Just like when beginning a job, leaving a job can have complications and stipulations. This is especially true if you did not thoroughly review your contract when starting the position. 

Many doctor contracts have a minimum length of time in the position. If you are wanting to leave before this time is up, a contract lawyer can help you understand how this may limit you and/or negotiate an exit.

When becoming a partner…

If you are considering partnership in an existing practice, entering into one without the help of a tenured contract lawyer could have lasting effects on your success and satisfaction at the practice. A contract lawyer will help you create or negotiate the terms of the partnership and follow the necessary legal procedures. 

Terms a contract lawyer will consider include: 

• How revenue will be shared
• How decision making is delegated
• If/When/How more doctors are added to the partnership

Additionally, these lawyers can help you draft legal documents like confidentiality forms, patient paperwork and a letter of intent. 

When owning a practice…

Contract lawyers can be helpful if you are a practice owner entering into agreements with various parties, including when purchasing your practice, hiring employees, entering into agreements with insurance providers, or contracting with suppliers or equipment rentals.

If you are drafting legal contracts or agreements for your business, a contract lawyer can ensure your contracts are free of any loopholes, are legally enforceable, and are admissible in court. 

Laws and regulations are changing regularly. A contract lawyer will keep your contract in line with the law and help you avoid any liabilities or risks. Expertly written contracts protect you from contract litigation and can further help you protect your practice.

Where to find a contract lawyer for doctors

Finding a trusted contract lawyer with experience working with doctors can be a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be. Our Build Your Team program was built for this need. We have trusted, vetted advisors in every field, including law, that can help you reach your goals.

Get connected to a contract lawyer you can trust for free by visiting our Build Your Team page. We are excited to assist you on the next step in your career!