Orthodontists pay range in Durham
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $199,990 a year or less, while the top 10% make $361,050 or more. The middle half of orthodontists in Durham earn between $199,990 and $361,050.
- $200K10th
- $200K25th
- $200KMedian
- $361K75th
- $361K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $278,540 | $23,212 | $133.91 |
| Median | $199,990 | $16,666 | $96.15 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $199,990 | $16,666 | $96.15 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $361,050 | $30,088 | $173.58 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Orthodontists pay in Durham vs. North Carolina and the U.S.
Orthodontists in Durham earn about the same as the North Carolina average ($277,320) and 7% more than the U.S. average ($259,400). At the median the gap is -31% against the U.S. median of $289,140.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Durham | $278,540 | $199,990 | $199,990 | $361,050 | n/a |
| North Carolina | $277,320 | $224,990 | $182,170 | $398,000 | 160 |
| United States | $259,400 | $289,140 | $99,850 | $416,000 | 6,210 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Orthodontists salary after taxes in Durham
On the average salary of $278,540, a single filer in Durham takes home about $191,127 a year, or $15,927 a month and $7,351 every two weeks. Taxes take 31% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Durham a good place for orthodontists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Durham area are 2% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 97.6), so the average $278,540 buys what about $285,471 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 3.3 times the median wage of all jobs in Durham ($60,720). A typical home costs $414,340, or 1.5 years of this average salary before tax.
Orthodontists salary in nearby metro areas
- Washington, DC$285,910
- Baltimore, MD$331,720
- Atlanta, GA$174,100
- Philadelphia, PA$303,220
- Cleveland, OH$277,590
- Nashville, TN$279,600
Highest-paying cities for orthodontists
Baltimore, MD pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($331,720).
- Baltimore, MD$331,720
- New York, NY$317,690
- Philadelphia, PA$303,220
- Washington, DC$285,910
- Portland, ME$281,120
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Orthodontists salary in Durham: questions
How much do orthodontists make an hour in Durham?
$133.91 an hour on average, and $96.15 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level orthodontists salary in Durham?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $199,990 a year and the 25th percentile is $199,990, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the orthodontists take-home pay in Durham?
About $191,127 a year ($15,927 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $278,540.
Do orthodontists earn more in Durham than elsewhere?
The average here is 7% more than the U.S. average for this job ($259,400).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 29-1023; area Durham-Chapel Hill, NC (20500). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 21.4%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
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