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Maxillofacial surgeon: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 28, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$352,220median pay per year, or $169.34 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $86,250lowest 10% earn less
  2. $204,61025th percentile
  3. $352,220median
  4. $428,71075th percentile
  5. $622,640top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons had a median pay of $352,220 a year in May 2025[1]. Jobs are projected to grow 5.6% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[2][3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+5.6%[2]
Openings per year
200[6]
Typical entry education
Doctoral or professional degree[7]

How much do maxillofacial surgeons make?

The median wage for oral and maxillofacial surgeons was $352,220 a year, or $169.34 an hour[1]. Half earned more and half earned less. The average was $346,490 a year, or $166.58 an hour[8]. For comparison, the median for all occupations was $50,980[5].

Pay spreads widely. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $86,250 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $622,640[4]. The middle half earned between $204,610 and $428,710[4]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9].

In hourly terms, the 10th percentile was $41.47 and the 90th was $299.35[10].

These figures cover workers paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed and do not include bonuses or the cost of benefits[11]. About 12.3% of these surgeons were self-employed in 2025[12]. BLS counted about 4,910 wage and salary jobs[13].

Pay by state and city

Among the 18 states with published data, Pennsylvania had the highest median at $553,740[14]. Minnesota ($475,250), Rhode Island ($414,060), Virginia ($403,430) and Colorado ($360,820) followed[14]. Several states are shown as $239,200 or more, which is a top-coded figure[14].

California had the most jobs at 670, then New York at 350, Virginia at 210, Georgia at 180 and Alabama at 130[15]. Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, New York-Newark-Jersey City had a median of $342,730 and 240 jobs[16][17].

Show median pay in 18 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Pennsylvania[14]$553,740n/a
Minnesota$475,25040
Rhode Island$414,060n/a
Virginia$403,430210
Colorado$360,820n/a
New York$342,710350
Arizona$322,800n/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$233,050n/a
North Carolina$224,040n/a
Georgia$129,010180
Michigan$97,04050
Illinois$70,220n/a

How to become a maxillofacial surgeon

The Occupational Outlook Handbook profile used for training details covers dentists and related specialties, so it describes a wider group[18].

In an ONET survey of 20 workers, 72% said post-doctoral training was required, 20% said a doctoral degree and 8% said a first professional degree[23]. ONET puts this job in Job Zone Five and describes four years of college plus five to seven more years of specialized medical training for surgeons[24].

What maxillofacial surgeons do

O*NET describes the work as surgery on the hard and soft tissues of the mouth, jaws and face to treat disease, injury or defects[25]. Common tasks include:

Where they work

For dentists as a wider group, BLS says 78% worked in offices of dentists in 2025[27]. Some own a practice and work alone or with a small staff, some have partners, and some work for established practices[28]. Schedules vary. Some work evenings and weekends[29]. Masks, gloves and safety glasses protect against infectious diseases[30].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 5.6% from 2025 to 2035, from about 5,600 to 5,900 jobs, a gain of about 300[2]. All occupations are projected to grow 3.5%[3]. These counts include self-employed workers[2].

BLS expects about 200 openings a year on average[6]. Openings include jobs that come open when people retire or change occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year about 2% of workers leave the labor force and 0.4% move to a different occupation[31].

Is it a good fit?

The pay is high compared with all occupations, and the projected growth is a little above average[1][5][2][3]. The training is long. It involves a doctoral-level degree and a residency that typically runs 4 to 6 years[7][20]. Pay also varies a great deal, from $86,250 at the 10th percentile to $622,640 at the 90th[4]. The job is small, with about 200 openings a year[6].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[32].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a maxillofacial surgeon make a year?
The median was $352,220 a year in May 2025, and the average was $346,490[1][8].
How much does a maxillofacial surgeon make an hour?
The median was $169.34 an hour[1].
How long does it take to become a maxillofacial surgeon?
BLS lists an internship or residency after a doctoral or professional degree[7]. Oral and maxillofacial surgery programs typically take 4 to 6 years[20].
What is the highest paying state for maxillofacial surgeons?
Pennsylvania had the highest median at $553,740 among states with published data[14].
Is maxillofacial surgery in demand?
BLS projects 5.6% growth from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations, with about 200 openings a year[2][3][6].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons in the US was $352,220 per year and $169.34 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons is projected to grow 5.6% from 2025 to 2035, from about 5,600 to 5,900 jobs (a change of +300). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons: 10th percentile $86,250, 25th percentile $204,610, 75th percentile $428,710, 90th percentile $622,640. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 200 openings for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons: education needed for entry: Doctoral or professional degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Internship/residency. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons was $346,490 per year and $166.58 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons: 10th percentile $41.47, 25th percentile $98.37, 75th percentile $206.11, 90th percentile $299.35. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS Employment Projections: 12.3% of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 4,910 people were employed as Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. Median annual wage for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons jobs: California 670; New York 350; Virginia 210; Georgia 180; Alabama 130. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (areas with at least 100 jobs): New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $342,730. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 240 (median $342,730). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  18. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Dentists" covers Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. O*NET 29-1022.00 survey of workers (20 respondents), education level they say is required: Post-Doctoral Training 72%, Doctoral Degree 20%, First Professional Degree 8% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET 29-1022.00: Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed. Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job. O*NET OnLine
  25. O*NET description of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. O*NET OnLine
  26. O*NET task list for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. O*NET OnLine
  27. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of dentists in 2025: Offices of dentists 78%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons: 2% of workers leave the labor force each year and 0.4% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  32. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.