Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Perform surgery and related procedures on the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial regions to treat diseases, injuries, or defects. May diagnose problems of the oral and maxillofacial regions. May perform surgery to improve function or appearance.
Also called: DDS (Dental Surgery Doctor), Dental Surgeon, Doctor, Maxillofacial Surgeon, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Resident, Oral Surgeon
Median pay
$352,220
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$86,250 – $622,640
People employed
4,910
Holland code
IRS
Investigative · Realistic · Social
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you prefer working indoors?
- 2.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
- 3.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 4.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
- 5.Do you want the same hours every week?
- 6.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
The hard parts
- Exposure to disease or infection
- Long hours on your feet
- Mistakes can have serious consequences
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (12 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What oral and maxillofacial surgeons do
- 01Administer general and local anesthetics.
- 02Remove impacted, damaged, and non-restorable teeth.
- 03Evaluate the position of the wisdom teeth to determine whether problems exist currently or might occur in the future.
- 04Treat infections of the oral cavity, salivary glands, jaws, and neck.
- 05Collaborate with other professionals, such as restorative dentists and orthodontists, to plan treatment.
- 06Perform surgery to prepare the mouth for dental implants and to aid in the regeneration of deficient bone and gum tissues.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Speaking
- Monitoring
Knowledge
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Biology
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
Work styles that stand out
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Cooperation
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a graduate degree (O*NET Job Zone 5).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: none or short demonstration.
- A professional certification is often expected.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from oral and maxillofacial surgeons
- Athletic Trainers50% · −82%
- Orthotists and Prosthetists50% · −77%
- Midwives45% · group pay
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists45% · −71%
- Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary45% · −70%
Majors that lead here
- Oral/Maxillofacial Surgery
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency Program
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.