Orthodontists Salary
Orthodontists in Tennessee make a median of $339,610 a year, or about $163.28 an hour. The range runs from $180K at the entry level to $363K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.78), which stretches that salary to about $378,269 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,215/month, or 5.9% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Tennessee. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $340K get you in Tennessee?
About orthodontists
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Tennessee
Tennessee sits well above the national pay line for orthodontists, local pay runs about 17% higher than the U.S. median of $289K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,215/month, 6.1% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 89.78 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 10% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Combined with manageable housing costs, Tennessee offers a genuinely strong financial position for orthodontistss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Tennessee
Entry-level orthodontists (10th percentile) start around $180K. Mid-career wages sit at $340K. Top earners bring in $363K or more, a $183K spread from bottom to top.
Orthodontists salary by metro in Tennessee
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $362K | +6% | N/A |
Compare to other states
Track orthodontists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Tennessee numbers change.
Related careers in Healthcare
Frequently asked questions
Can a orthodontist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Tennessee?
Yes — at the median salary of $340K, rent takes 6.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,215/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for orthodontists in Tennessee?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new orthodontists typically earn — is $180K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $10,811/month. At HUD’s $1,215/month FMR, rent would take 11% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is orthodontist a high-paying job in Tennessee?
Local pay is 17% above the national median — $340K here vs. $289K nationally.
How does Tennessee compare to the national average for orthodontists?
Tennessee pays $340K median vs. the U.S. average of $289K — that’s +17%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 89.78), the purchasing-power equivalent is $378K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do orthodontists make in Tennessee?
The median is $339,610 a year, that works out to about $163 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $180,190, and experienced orthodontists can clear $363,310. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $340K enough to live in Tennessee?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $19,946/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,215/month, which eats 6.1% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a orthodontists salary go in Tennessee?
Tennessee has a Regional Price Parity of 89.78 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median orthodontists salary is worth about $378,269 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do orthodontists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.