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Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

Typical education: Doctoral or professional degreeHigh pressure

What they do

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.

Kinds of work

  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.
  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Social: Helping, teaching, caring for and supporting other people.

High pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $352,220 Median per year · $169.34/hr Most earn $86,250–$622,640

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Treat problems affecting the oral mucosa, such as mouth ulcers and infections.
  • Perform surgery on the mouth and jaws to treat conditions such as cleft lip, cleft palate, and jaw growth problems.
  • Evaluate the position of the wisdom teeth to determine whether problems exist currently or might occur in the future.
  • Collaborate with other professionals, such as restorative dentists and orthodontists, to plan treatment.
  • Evaluate and treat problems related to the temperomandibular joint (TMJ).
  • Evaluate and treat problems related to the temperomandibular joint (TMJ).

Job outlook

United States
6% more jobs by 2035, faster than average · about 200 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Offices of dentists75.6%
  • Self-employed (their own business)12.3%
  • General medical and surgical hospitals5.5%
  • Offices of physicians2.6%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 4 to 6 years

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Doctoral or professional degreeExperience before this job: 4 to 6 years

Oral and maxillofacial surgery is not an entry-level job. Most people spend roughly 12 to 14 years after high school on college, dental school, and a hospital-based surgical residency before practicing on their own. Your career results page shows typical pay near you and nationally, and the career page has the full range.

  1. Bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, or another science

    4 years

    Complete the science courses that dental schools require and build a strong GPA, since admission to dental school is competitive.

  2. Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD)

    4 years

    Earn a dental degree that covers anatomy, surgery, and patient care, and take the national dental admission exam before applying.

  3. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Resident

    4-6 years

    Train in a hospital-based residency that covers surgery of the mouth, jaw, and face, plus anesthesia and medicine. Some people complete a combined medical and dental program instead, which can take about 6 years.

  4. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

    Ongoing

    Once you finish residency and get licensed, you diagnose and surgically treat problems of the mouth, jaw, face, and related tissues.

Where it can lead

  1. Director of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

    5-10 years in practice of experience first

    Lead a surgery department or service line at a hospital, which means managing staff, budgets, and training of residents.

  2. Chief of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

    10+ years in practice of experience first

    Hold the top surgical leadership role at a hospital or health system, guiding clinical standards, teaching, and policy for the department.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take biology, chemistry, and anatomy if your school offers themThese classes build the science foundation you will need for college and dental school.
  • Join a health occupations or science clubClubs like this show your interest in healthcare and give you teamwork and leadership experience.
  • Volunteer at a clinic, hospital, or nursing homeCaring for patients gives you real exposure to healthcare settings and helps you decide if medicine is for you.
  • Look for a part-time job in a dental officeA front desk or assistant job teaches you how a dental practice runs and how to work with patients.

In college

  • Major in biology or chemistry and complete pre-dental coursesDental schools require specific science and lab courses, so planning them early keeps you on track.
  • Work or volunteer as a dental assistant or in a clinicHands-on patient care shows admissions committees you understand the job and gives you real clinical experience.
  • Shadow an oral surgeonWatching surgeries and talking with surgeons helps you learn what the work involves and strengthens your applications.
  • Join a pre-dental or pre-health student clubThese groups offer advice on applications, exam prep, and networking with people already in the field.
  • Get research experience in a science labLab work builds skills in critical thinking and shows you can handle demanding academic work.

Tips for getting started

  • Shadow an oral surgeon or general dentist to see the daily work and confirm this is the right fit for you.
  • Keep your grades strong in biology, chemistry, and math, because dental school admission depends heavily on them.
  • Get hands-on patient experience early, such as working as a dental assistant, since many programs value it.

Related jobs that often lead here

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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