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.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
SOC: 29-1022 O*NET: 29-1022.00
Median Salary
N/A
per year
Job Growth
📈 4.1%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.2
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Job Zone 5
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.
What does a Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$82,960
10th percentile
Early Career
$236,780
25th percentile
Median
$0
50th percentile
Experienced
$0
75th percentile
Top Earners
$0
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$82,960
25th
$236,780
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$0
Mean: $360,240
75th
$0
90th
$0
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans -$82,960 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $236,780 and $0
- •Salary spread is 0.0% around the median, showing low variation
- •Total national employment: 5,330 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:6,100
Top Industries
Ambulatory Health Care Services92.5%
Offices of Dentists88.9%
Offices of Physicians3.6%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+4.1%
Annual Openings:200
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)6,100
Current
2034 (Projected)6,400
+4.1%
+300
Employment Change
+4.1%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons professionals work across the United States
Showing 14 of 14 locations
California
930 jobs$01.49x
New York
560 jobs$01.69x
Florida
330 jobs$00.96x
North Carolina
230 jobs$01.37x
Georgia
140 jobs$00.82x
Alabama
110 jobs$01.58x
Iowa
110 jobs$01.99x
Michigan
110 jobs$00.70x
New Hampshire
90 jobs$04.02x
Tennessee
80 jobs$00.74x
South Dakota
70 jobs$04.47x
Washington
40 jobs$00.31x
Kentucky
0 jobs$00.00x
Pennsylvania
0 jobs$00.00x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Judgment and Decision Making
100%
#2
Complex Problem Solving
94%
#3
Reading Comprehension
86%
#4
Critical Thinking
80%
#5
Speaking
74%
#6
Monitoring
66%
#7
Active Listening
60%
#8
Active Learning
54%
#9
Social Perceptiveness
46%
#10
Coordination
40%
Skills Overview
Judgment and Decision Making
advanced5.0
100%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced4.7
94%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.3
86%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.0
80%
Speaking
intermediate3.7
74%
Monitoring
intermediate3.3
66%
Active Listening
intermediate3.0
60%
Active Learning
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Judgment and Decision Making
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Active Learning
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Orthodontists100%
5 shared skills
Acupuncturists82%
5 shared skills
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers82%
5 shared skills
Air Traffic Controllers82%
5 shared skills
Urologists82%
5 shared skills
Athletes and Sports Competitors82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Learn on the Job:
- →Monitoring
- →Active Listening
- →Active Learning
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Judgment and Decision Making
- ✓Complex Problem Solving
- ✓Reading Comprehension
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Judgment and Decision Making
- ★Complex Problem Solving
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Speaking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
Technology Stack
Technology stack information is being compiled for this career.
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
14
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (8)Analysis & Evaluation (1)Planning & Development (2)Operations & Execution (3)
1
Administer general and local anesthetics.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Remove impacted, damaged, and non-restorable teeth.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Evaluate the position of the wisdom teeth to determine whether problems exist currently or might occur in the future.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation94% perform96%
4
Collaborate with other professionals, such as restorative dentists and orthodontists, to plan treatment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development91% perform94%
5
Perform surgery to prepare the mouth for dental implants and to aid in the regeneration of deficient bone and gum tissues.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development88% perform92%
6
Remove tumors and other abnormal growths of the oral and facial regions, using surgical instruments.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Treat infections of the oral cavity, salivary glands, jaws, and neck.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Treat problems affecting the oral mucosa, such as mouth ulcers and infections.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Provide emergency treatment of facial injuries including facial lacerations, intra-oral lacerations, and fractured facial bones.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Perform surgery on the mouth and jaws to treat conditions such as cleft lip, cleft palate, and jaw growth problems.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Operations & Execution73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •50% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons professionals typically have a IRS Holland code and highly value independence
IInvestigative
RRealistic
SSocial
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.92
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.89
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.89
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Importance Level4.77
Concern for Others
CriticalConcern for Others
Importance Level4.76
Stress Tolerance
CriticalStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.74
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.9
Integrity
4.9
Dependability
4.9
Self-Control
4.8
Concern for Others
4.8
Stress Tolerance
4.7
Persistence
4.7
Achievement/Effort
4.6
Leadership
4.6
Analytical Thinking
4.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 5
Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Training:
Extensive training and work experience required
💼 Experience Requirement
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Master's or doctoral degree
- • Extensive work experience in the field
- • State licensure or professional certification
5
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Master's or doctoral degreeExtensive work experience in the fieldState licensure or professional certification
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