How much does a oral and maxillofacial surgeon make?
The median oral and maxillofacial surgeon in the United States earns $352,220 per year, about $169.34 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all oral and maxillofacial surgeons earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 29-1022.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeon salary range
Pay for oral and maxillofacial surgeons spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $86,250 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $622,640. The average (mean) wage is $346,490, close to the median.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $86,250 | $41.47 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $204,610 | $98.37 | |
| Median (50th) | $352,220 | $169.34 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $428,710 | $206.11 | |
| 90th percentile | $622,640 | $299.35 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for oral and maxillofacial surgeons (SOC 29-1022), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeon salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons earn the most in Pennsylvania at $553,740 a year, and the least in Illinois at $70,220. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | $553,740 | N/A |
| Minnesota | $475,250 | 40 |
| Rhode Island | $414,060 | N/A |
| Virginia | $403,430 | 210 |
| Colorado | $360,820 | N/A |
| New York | $342,710 | 350 |
| Arizona | $322,800 | N/A |
| Alabama | $239,200+ | 130 |
| Alaska | $239,200+ | 40 |
| Iowa | $239,200+ | N/A |
| New Hampshire | $239,200+ | N/A |
| North Dakota | $239,200+ | N/A |
| South Carolina | $239,200+ | N/A |
| Florida | $233,050 | N/A |
| North Carolina | $224,040 | N/A |
| Georgia | $129,010 | 180 |
| Michigan | $97,040 | 50 |
| Illinois | $70,220 | N/A |
State median wages for oral and maxillofacial surgeons (SOC 29-1022), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for oral and maxillofacial surgeons
The BLS projects employment of oral and maxillofacial surgeons to grow 5.6% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 5,600 jobs in 2025 moving toward 5,900 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 200 openings a year for oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an oral and maxillofacial surgeon
The typical entry-level education for oral and maxillofacial surgeons is a doctoral or professional degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete an internship or residency to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an oral and maxillofacial surgeon earns
Specialty, work setting, shift differentials, certifications, and region drive the numbers. Hospitals, surgical settings, and high cost metros pay above clinics and rural facilities.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Pennsylvania, $553,740) and the lowest (Illinois, $70,220) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 4,910 people work as oral and maxillofacial surgeons in the United States. At $352,220 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeon salary FAQ
How much does an oral and maxillofacial surgeon make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an oral and maxillofacial surgeon is $169.34. The middle half of oral and maxillofacial surgeons earn between $98.37 and $206.11 per hour.
What is the highest oral and maxillofacial surgeon salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of oral and maxillofacial surgeons earn more than $622,640 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an oral and maxillofacial surgeon make a year?
The median annual salary for an oral and maxillofacial surgeon is $352,220. The average (mean) wage is $346,490, close to the median.
Is being an oral and maxillofacial surgeon a well paid job?
At $352,220 a year, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 4,910 people work as oral and maxillofacial surgeons in the United States.
Which state pays oral and maxillofacial surgeons the most?
Pennsylvania has the highest median salary for oral and maxillofacial surgeons at $553,740 a year. Minnesota ($475,250) and Rhode Island ($414,060) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an oral and maxillofacial surgeon a good career?
Employment of oral and maxillofacial surgeons is projected to grow 5.6% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 200 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an oral and maxillofacial surgeon?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for oral and maxillofacial surgeons as a doctoral or professional degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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