Orthodontist salary: where it sits on the Australian salary index

What the official data says about orthodontist pay

If you search for an orthodontist salary in Australia, the first thing you notice is that official sources do not publish a median weekly earnings figure. Jobs and Skills Australia lists Dental Specialists (including Orthodontists) as an ANZSCO 6-digit occupation (252311) and reports the median weekly earnings as N/A. The reason is statistical reliability: the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours suppresses figures for occupations where the relative standard error is 25% or higher. That means the sample of orthodontists in the survey is too small to produce a trustworthy number.

This lack of a precise figure does not mean orthodontist pay is unknowable. It just means we have to use the Salary Index as a framework and look at related data to understand where an orthodontist salary likely sits against the national line.

Using the salary index to frame orthodontist earnings

The Salary Index compares any annual gross salary to the national benchmark of full-time adult ordinary-time earnings. That benchmark, based on the ABS Average Weekly Earnings series for May 2026, is $2,083.70 per week, annualised to $108,352. That figure is set at index 100. For context, the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, annualised $52,255 – an index of 48.2.

Where does an orthodontist salary fit? The most relevant broad category is the Health Care and Social Assistance industry, which has an index of 97.8 – slightly below the national line. But orthodontists are specialist practitioners, not the average healthcare worker. A better clue comes from the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours release for May 2025, which reports that Professionals (the occupation group that includes dentists and orthodontists) had average hourly earnings of $64.50. If an orthodontist works a standard 40-hour week, that hourly rate translates to $2,580 per week, annualised $134,160 – an index of about 124. Many orthodontists work more than 40 hours; the Jobs and Skills Australia profile notes that 59% of dental specialists work full-time, with an average of 44 hours per week. At 44 hours and $64.50 per hour, weekly earnings would be $2,838, annualised $147,576, index 136.

These are rough estimates. The actual orthodontist salary can vary significantly by location, experience, practice type, and whether the practitioner owns the business or is an employee. The states page shows that the index differs across Australia: Western Australia sits at 106.9, the Australian Capital Territory at 109.9, while Tasmania is at 88.6. An orthodontist in Perth or Canberra might earn more than one in Hobart, reflecting both market rates and cost of living.

What we can learn from related occupations and awards

Orthodontists are classified under the same ANZSCO unit group as dentists (2523). The ABS does publish data for the broader group of Dental Practitioners, but again the 6-digit detail is suppressed. However, the Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database does not contain a specific classification for orthodontists. Most orthodontists are not covered by a modern award; they are either self-employed or employed under individual contracts. This means their pay is set by negotiation, not by an award rate.

For comparison, the Health Care and Social Assistance industry average weekly total cash earnings for full-time non-managerial employees was $2,069.70 in May 2025, according to the ABS. That is an index of about 99.3 – essentially at the national line. But that average includes many lower-paid roles such as personal care workers and dental assistants. Orthodontists, as highly trained specialists, sit at the top end of the industry. The ABS data for full-time non-managerial employees in Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (which includes some dental practices) shows an average of $2,155.80 per week, index 103.5. Again, orthodontists would likely exceed that.

Putting it together: a reasonable estimate

Given the absence of a published median, the best we can say is that an orthodontist salary in Australia is almost certainly above the national index line of 100. A conservative estimate based on professional hourly earnings and typical full-time hours puts the index somewhere between 124 and 140. That would mean an annual gross salary in the range of $134,000 to $152,000 for an employee orthodontist. Self-employed orthodontists who own their practices may earn significantly more, but their income is also subject to business costs and superannuation obligations.

The industries page shows that Mining has an index of 154.7, the highest of any industry. Orthodontist pay may approach or exceed that level for experienced practitioners in high-demand areas. However, without official data, any specific number is an estimate.

What this means for your pay check

If you are evaluating an orthodontist salary offer, the index gives you a way to compare it to the national benchmark. For example, a salary of $150,000 would have an index of 138. That is well above the national line and above the Health Care and Social Assistance industry average. After tax (using 2026–27 rates: 30% on income between $45,001 and $135,000, then 37% up to $190,000, plus 2% Medicare levy), the take-home pay on $150,000 would be approximately $106,000, or about $8,800 per month. Superannuation at 12% would add $18,000 to the total package.

Remember that the salary index is a gross ordinary-time benchmark. It does not account for penalty rates, overtime, or business income. For orthodontists working under individual arrangements, the index is a useful starting point for understanding where your pay sits relative to the rest of the Australian workforce.

Final thoughts

The lack of a published median for orthodontist salary is frustrating, but it reflects the reality that this is a small, specialised occupation. The Salary Index helps you put any figure you see into context. Whether you are an orthodontist negotiating a contract or a practice owner setting salaries, the index gives you a transparent, data-backed reference point. For the most current award rates or industry benchmarks, always check the Fair Work Ombudsman or the ABS directly.