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Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

💰 Earn $239K-$239K
📚 Doctoral or Professional Degree
⏱️ 48 Month Training
📈 4.1% Job Growth
  • Transform lives by restoring oral function and enhancing facial aesthetics.
  • Play a crucial role in diagnosing and treating complex oral health issues.
  • Unique blend of surgery and artistry in facial reconstruction and aesthetics.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
What Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons DoPerform 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.
  • Administer general and local anesthetics.
  • Collaborate with other professionals, such as restorative dentists and orthodontists, to plan treatment.
  • Evaluate the position of the wisdom teeth to determine whether problems exist currently or might occur in the future.
  • Perform surgery to prepare the mouth for dental implants and to aid in the regeneration of deficient bone and gum tissues.
  • Remove impacted, damaged, and non-restorable teeth.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Education, Salary, and Growth
Minimum EducationDoctoral or Professional Degree
Career ProspectsGood (Increasing by 1-5%)
Training TimeOver 4 years
Job Openings200 Annually
Median Earnings
$239,200 in California
$239,200 Nationally

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Real Talk Reel

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@eliteoralfacialsurgery
Is This Career Right For You?
YOU Like
  • Relating with or serving others
  • Thinking and problem solving
  • Working with my hands
you value
  • Accomplishing things
  • Having freedom
  • Receiving recognition
you are skilled in
  • Active Listening
  • Service Orientation
  • Speaking
  • Writing
  • Monitoring
  • Reading Comprehension
Go Deeper: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Explained
Oral and Maxillofacial SurgeonExplore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.
How Do You Train for This Career?

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Bachelor's DegreeA bachelor's degree typically results in increased knowledge about a variety of academic subjects, specialized knowledge in a focused field of study, and is considered the foundational qualification for many careers.
🎓 College
⏱️ Finish in 4-5+ years
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Updated April 2026. Data sourced from O*NET and Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon | Explore this Career