Orthodontist Salary Guide: Take-Home Pay After Tax and Medicare

Orthodontist Salary: What You Actually Take Home

If you're an orthodontist in Australia or considering the career, you want to know how much of your orthodontist salary reaches your bank account after tax and the Medicare levy. This guide uses the latest available data to show you the numbers for the 2026–27 tax year.

Where the Salary Figure Comes From

estimates the median full-time orthodontist salary at $166,400 per year before tax. This is based on modelled trend data and is not an official government statistic. Jobs and Skills Australia does not publish median weekly earnings for dental specialists at the six-digit occupation level, so this guide relies on the industry estimate. The figure has risen from $130,900 in 2018, reflecting wage growth in the sector.

Your actual pay can vary significantly. Orthodontists in private practice who are principals or partners draw a share of practice profit, while associates often work on a percentage of billings or a fixed salary. Public dental service and university roles tend to sit lower. The median age of orthodontists is 47, and 59% work full-time hours, averaging 44 hours per week.

From Gross Salary to Take-Home Pay

To work out your take-home pay, we apply the 2026–27 resident tax rates and the Medicare levy to the $166,400 figure. This is a guide only – your exact tax depends on your circumstances.

Income tax calculation:

• $0 – $18,200: nil
• $18,201 – $45,000: 15c per $1 over $18,200 = $4,020
• $45,001 – $135,000: 30c per $1 over $45,000 = $27,000
• $135,001 – $166,400: 37c per $1 over $135,000 = $11,618
• Total income tax: $42,638

The Low Income Tax Offset (LITO) does not apply because your income exceeds $66,667.

Medicare levy: 2% of $166,400 = $3,328. The single-person thresholds ($28,011 and $35,013) are irrelevant for a full-time orthodontist salary – you pay the full 2%.

Total deductions: $42,638 + $3,328 = $45,966

Annual take-home pay: $166,400 – $45,966 = $120,434

Fortnightly take-home: $120,434 ÷ 26 = $4,632

This is what you would expect to see deposited into your bank account each fortnight, assuming no other deductions like HELP/HECS or salary sacrifice.

What Changes Your Fortnightly Amount

Several factors can shift your take-home pay:

• Superannuation: If your orthodontist salary is quoted as 'plus super', the 12% employer super guarantee (from 1 July 2026) is paid on top and does not reduce your take-home. If it's 'including super', your base salary is lower. Always clarify which applies.
• Tax brackets: A small change in gross pay can push you into the 37% bracket (above $135,000) or the 45% bracket (above $190,000). The $166,400 figure sits in the 37% marginal rate.
• Medicare levy surcharge: If you do not have appropriate private hospital cover and your income exceeds $93,000 (single), you may pay an extra 1% to 1.5%. This is not included in the calculation above.
• Practice structure: Principals may have business expenses that reduce taxable income, while associates on a percentage of billings may see fluctuating monthly pay.

Comparing to Benchmarks

The national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour and $1,004.90 per week (from 1 July 2026). The average full-time adult ordinary time earnings are $2,083.70 per week. An orthodontist earning $166,400 works out to about $3,200 per week (based on 44 hours), well above these benchmarks. However, the years of training and specialist registration justify the premium.

Where to Get More Information

For a detailed breakdown of your own situation, use the Take-home pay calculator on this site. You can also explore Tax and Medicare rules for the current year. If you are comparing job offers, check whether the advertised figure is base salary or total package including super.

Remember: this estimate excludes HELP/HECS repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge, and any salary packaging arrangements. It is not a tax assessment. Always consult a tax professional for personal advice.