Prevailing Wage for Orthodontists
Prevailing wage for Orthodontists (SOC 29-1023) is set by the DOL under four experience levels, and the floor a Board Certified Orthodontist or Orthodontic Dentist must meet depends on both the assigned level and the worksite city. An Orthodontic Specialist filing under H-1B or a green card petition must clear the level-specific threshold for their metro area.
See all jobs for OrthodontistsLook up your work address
Entry-level orthodontists with limited post-residency experience, typically in their first one to two years of independent practice. Scope is routine case management under some supervision. Employers rarely file at Level 1 for a fully credentialed Orthodontic Specialist.
Qualified practitioners with two or more years of independent clinical experience. Level 2 is the most common filing level for Orthodontists, covering standard full-scope practice with minimal oversight and a recognized state license.
Experienced orthodontists who manage complex cases, mentor junior clinicians, or hold leadership responsibilities within a group practice or academic setting. Board certification and multi-specialty case coordination commonly anchor Level 3 filings.
Fully competent senior practitioners, typically clinical directors, program directors, or lead Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Specialists. Level 4 applies when the role carries enterprise-wide clinical authority or academic appointment responsibility.
Prevailing Wage for Orthodontists by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
See all jobs for Orthodontists
See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Orthodontists and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
Search visa-sponsored jobsPrevailing Wage Guide for Orthodontists
Confirm your license state matches the LCA worksite
Orthodontists must hold a state dental license for the specific state listed as the worksite on the LCA. A license from a different state does not satisfy this requirement, and USCIS will flag the discrepancy during petition review.
Watch how signing bonuses affect the wage floor
Group dental practices and DSO networks sometimes offer large signing bonuses that inflate apparent total compensation. DOL counts only guaranteed salary toward prevailing wage compliance; signing bonuses and discretionary production bonuses are excluded from the calculation.
Identify which employer type typically sponsors orthodontists
Dental service organizations with multi-state networks file more H-1B petitions for orthodontists than independent practices. Use Migrate Mate to see which DSOs and group practices have sponsored Orthodontic Dentists historically before targeting your job search.
Check whether your title maps to the correct SOC code
Titles like Orthodontic Resident or Dental Specialist are sometimes filed under adjacent SOC codes such as 29-1029, which carries a different prevailing wage floor. Verify that your offer letter title and job duties align with SOC 29-1023 before the LCA is submitted.
Jobs for Orthodontists are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Jobs for OrthodontistsPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 29-1023.00 alongside Orthodontists, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Board Certified Orthodontist Prevailing Wage
Board Certified Orthodontist Prevailing Wage
Board Certified Orthodontist positions fall under SOC 29-1023.00 (Orthodontists). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Orthodontic Dentist Prevailing Wage
Orthodontic Dentist Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Orthodontic Dentist for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 29-1023.00 (Orthodontists). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Orthodontic Specialist Prevailing Wage
Orthodontic Specialist Prevailing Wage
Orthodontic Specialist is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 29-1023.00 (Orthodontists). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Specialist Prevailing Wage
Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Specialist Prevailing Wage
Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Specialist positions fall under SOC 29-1023.00 (Orthodontists). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Orthodontics Doctor Prevailing Wage
Orthodontics Doctor Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Orthodontics Doctor for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 29-1023.00 (Orthodontists). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for orthodontists?
DOL derives prevailing wages for Orthodontists from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. OFLC converts those survey results into four wage levels for each geographic area. Employers must request a prevailing wage determination through OFLC or use the OFLC Wage Search tool before certifying an LCA for an H-1B or PERM petition.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to my offer?
Level 1 covers entry-level practitioners with limited independent experience. Level 2 reflects fully licensed orthodontists practicing standard caseloads without significant oversight, and is the most common filing level for this occupation. Level 3 applies to experienced clinicians with supervisory or complex-case responsibilities. Level 4 is reserved for senior or directorial roles. Your assigned level must match the actual duties and experience requirements in the job description, not just your personal credentials.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same orthodontist role vary so much by city?
DOL calculates prevailing wages from regional OES surveys, which capture local compensation patterns. A metro with high practice density and strong insurance reimbursement rates will show higher surveyed wages than a smaller market. The LCA must use the wage for the worksite city listed on the petition, regardless of where the employer is headquartered. Orthodontists practicing in multiple locations within a metro must use the highest applicable rate.
What happens if my job offer is below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
An employer cannot lawfully certify an LCA for an H-1B or PERM petition if the offered salary falls below the applicable prevailing wage. USCIS will deny a petition supported by a non-compliant LCA. If a discrepancy is discovered after filing, the employer faces potential back-pay liability and debarment from future DOL labor certification programs. The offered wage must equal or exceed the prevailing wage for the assigned level and worksite location.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for orthodontists in a specific U.S. city?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool to look up SOC 29-1023 by state and metro area. Select the area matching the practice location listed on your offer letter, then review all four levels to confirm which applies to your role. For a broader view of which employers have sponsored Orthodontic Specialists and Orthodontic Dentists in your target city, Migrate Mate filters sponsored listings by role and location so you can benchmark offers against real hiring activity.
See which employers are hiring and sponsoring visas for Orthodontists right now.
Search Jobs for Orthodontists