Jobs Similar to Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to oral and maxillofacial surgeons, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Podiatrists, Prosthodontists and Nurse Anesthetists.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons: $352,220 median pay · usual preparation: Graduate degree.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
| # | Career | Similarity | Median pay (vs. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PodiatristsSame group | 83% | $160,300−54% | Graduate degree |
| 2 | ProsthodontistsSame group | 83% | $311,180−12% | Graduate degree |
| 3 | Nurse AnesthetistsSame group | 81% | $236,590−33% | Graduate degree |
| 4 | VeterinariansSame group | 81% | $130,100−63% | Graduate degree |
| 5 | UrologistsSame group | 81% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 6 | Dentists, GeneralSame group | 81% | $170,950−51% | Graduate degree |
| 7 | AnesthesiologistsSame group | 80% | $391,490+11% | Graduate degree |
| 8 | Obstetricians and GynecologistsSame group | 80% | $292,910−17% | Graduate degree |
| 9 | Sports Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 80% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 10 | OptometristsSame group | 79% | $136,570−61% | Graduate degree |
| 11 | OrthodontistsSame group | 79% | $289,140−18% | Graduate degree |
| 12 | RadiologistsSame group | 79% | $420,860+19% | Graduate degree |
| 13 | Ophthalmologists, Except PediatricSame group | 79% | $300,080−15% | Graduate degree |
| 14 | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation PhysiciansSame group | 79% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 15 | General Internal Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 79% | $256,560−27% | Graduate degree |
| 16 | Exercise PhysiologistsSame group | 78% | $59,460−83% | Bachelor's degree |
| 17 | ChiropractorsSame group | 78% | $79,200−78% | Graduate degree |
| 18 | DermatologistsSame group | 78% | $328,730−7% | Graduate degree |
| 19 | Acute Care NursesSame group | 77% | $97,550Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 20 | AudiologistsSame group | 77% | $95,780−73% | Graduate degree |
- 1Podiatrists
83% similar · $160,300 (−54%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 2Prosthodontists
83% similar · $311,180 (−12%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 3Nurse Anesthetists
81% similar · $236,590 (−33%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 4Veterinarians
81% similar · $130,100 (−63%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 5Urologists
81% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 6Dentists, General
81% similar · $170,950 (−51%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 7Anesthesiologists
80% similar · $391,490 (+11%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 8Obstetricians and Gynecologists
80% similar · $292,910 (−17%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 9Sports Medicine Physicians
80% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 10Optometrists
79% similar · $136,570 (−61%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 11Orthodontists
79% similar · $289,140 (−18%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 12Radiologists
79% similar · $420,860 (+19%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 13Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric
79% similar · $300,080 (−15%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 14Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians
79% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 15General Internal Medicine Physicians
79% similar · $256,560 (−27%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 16Exercise Physiologists
78% similar · $59,460 (−83%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 17Chiropractors
78% similar · $79,200 (−78%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 18Dermatologists
78% similar · $328,730 (−7%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 19Acute Care Nurses
77% similar · $97,550 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 20Audiologists
77% similar · $95,780 (−73%) · Graduate degree · Same group
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than oral and maxillofacial surgeons.
Similar jobs that need less preparation
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for oral and maxillofacial surgeons also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Questions about jobs like oral and maxillofacial surgeons
What jobs are most similar to oral and maxillofacial surgeons?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Podiatrists (83% similar), Prosthodontists (83% similar), Nurse Anesthetists (81% similar), Veterinarians (81% similar) and Urologists (81% similar).
Which jobs like oral and maxillofacial surgeons pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Radiologists ($420,860, +19%; usually a graduate degree) and Anesthesiologists ($391,490, +11%; usually a graduate degree) have the highest BLS median pay compared with oral and maxillofacial surgeons ($352,220). Without more preparation than oral and maxillofacial surgeons usually need: Radiologists and Anesthesiologists.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.