Certified Orthodontic Assistant Salary in the United States

How much does a Certified Orthodontic Assistant make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Certified Orthodontic Assistant in the United States is $42,598 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $20.

However, a Certified Orthodontic Assistant's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $50,893
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $38,020 to $46,940
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $33,853
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
Recruit with AI
AI Onboarding
View as table View as graph 25% $38,020 10% $33,853 90% $50,893 75% $46,940 $42,598 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Certified Orthodontic Assistant Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $46,940 $3,912 $903 $23
Average $42,598 $3,550 $819 $20
25th Percentile $38,020 $3,168 $731 $18
Check out Certified Orthodontic Assistant Job Openings in the United States
Orthodontic Assistant

Lone Peak Dental Group - Columbus, OH

Hospice Certified Nursing Assistant

Gentiva - Columbus, OH

Certified Nursing Assistant CNA

Majestic Care - Columbus, OH

Certified Nursing Assistant

Forest Hills Center - Columbus, OH

Search More Certified Orthodontic Assistant Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Certified Orthodontic Assistant Salaries

A Certified Orthodontic Assistant's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Certified Orthodontic Assistant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Certified Orthodontic Assistant's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $42,153
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $43,055
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $44,997
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $45,206
  • Expert (over 8 years): $45,344
Levels Salary
Entry Level Certified Orthodontic Assistant$42,153
Intermediate Level Certified Orthodontic Assistant$43,055
Senior Level Certified Orthodontic Assistant$44,997
Specialist Level Certified Orthodontic Assistant$45,206
Expert Level Certified Orthodontic Assistant$45,344
$42,153 0 yr
$43,055 < 2 yrs
$44,997 2-4 yrs
$45,206 5-8 yrs
$45,344 > 8 yrs
View as Table
View as Graph

What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Certified Orthodontic Assistants

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $53,729
  • San Francisco: $53,141
  • Oakland: $52,021

What Skills Can Increase a Certified Orthodontic Assistant's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 8.41% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • CPR (Mentioned in 6.09% Job Postings): Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) combines rescue breathing (mouth-to-mouth) and chest compressions to temporarily pump enough blood to the brain until specialized treatment is available.
  • Front Office (Mentioned in 2.38% Job Postings): The front office represents the customer-facing division of a firm. For example, customer service, sales, and industry experts who provide advisory services are considered part of a firm's front office operations.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 8.41%
CPR 6.09%
Front Office 2.38%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Certified Orthodontic Assistant's salary.
  • Clinical Support: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Clinical Care: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Clinical Support
$46,432
9%
Clinical Care
$45,154
6%
Leadership
$44,728
5%
Presentation
$43,876
3%
Collaboration
$43,450
2%
HIPAA
$43,450
2%
Get Latest Data

Certified Orthodontic Assistant Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Certified Orthodontic Assistant roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Certified Orthodontic Assistant positions in Healthcare typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Certified Orthodontic Assistant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Certified Orthodontic Assistant

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$51,118$25.020%

How Education impacts a Certified Orthodontic Assistant's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Certified Orthodontic Assistants enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Certified Orthodontic Assistant with a Associate's Degree is between $45,040 and $47,788).

Certified Orthodontic Assistant Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Certified Orthodontic Assistant
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.7%
High School 78.4%
Associates 14.5%
Bachelors 5.9%
Masters 0.4%
Doctorate 0.2%
view as graph

Certified Orthodontic Assistant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Certified Orthodontic Assistant's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Certified Orthodontic Assistant

Salaries for a Certified Orthodontic Assistant can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $46,002 in 2023 to around $45,776 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Certified Orthodontic Assistant salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Certified Orthodontic Assistant Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$46,002
2024
$45,965
2025
$45,776
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $46,002
2024 $45,965
2025 $45,776
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Certified Orthodontic Assistant

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
For Employers

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.

Compensation Planning

Common company salaries for Certified Orthodontic Assistant

Here are companies hiring for Certified Orthodontic Assistant and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Certified Orthodontic Assistant Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Certified Orthodontic Assistant job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Alternate Solutions Health Network

    Columbus, OH

    Alternate Solutions Health Network | Columbus, OH

    Our culture and people are what set us apart from other post-acute care providers. We're dedicated to the growth and development of our team to set them up... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Otterbein SeniorLife

    Columbus, OH

    Otterbein SeniorLife | Columbus, OH

    Now Offering DailyPay Take control of your work schedule with Otterbein Staffing Agency (OSA) and earn some of the highest wages in the industry. The benef... more

    8 Days Ago

  • CommuniCare Corporate

    Columbus, OH

    CommuniCare Corporate | Columbus, OH

    Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). CommuniCare Rehab, a member of the CommuniCare Family of Companies has a part time opening for a Certified... more

    8 Days Ago

  • MRINetwork

    Columbus, OH

    MRINetwork | Columbus, OH

    Patient Care Coordinator. Provides patient care in the physician office setting. Assists providers and staff in coordinating patient care. Functions as a p... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Synchrony Rehab

    Columbus, OH

    Synchrony Rehab | Columbus, OH

    Synchrony Job Opportunity. We believe in setting our employees up for success. That's why we believe in providing an orientation personalized to your work ... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Ohio Living Home Health &amp; Hospice - Greater Toledo

    Columbus, OH

    Ohio Living Home Health &amp; Hospice - Greater Toledo | Columbus, OH

    Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA). It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing. Full-time and part-time available. Opening... more

    9 Days Ago

For Employees

Get a Salary Increase

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Search Job Openings

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

For Employers

Adjust Employee Salary

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Price My Industry Jobs

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

FAQ about Certified Orthodontic Assistant

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Certified Orthodontic Assistant?

The Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit industry offers the highest average compensation for Certified Orthodontic Assistant roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst