Career comparison
Anesthesiologist vs. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Anesthesiologists earn more at the median ($391,490 vs. $352,220), while anesthesiologists usually get to work faster (12–14 years after high school of training). Anesthesiologists keep patients safe and pain-free before, during and after surgery. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons perform surgery on the mouth, jaws and face, from wisdom teeth to reconstruction.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Anesthesiologist | Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $391,490 ($188.22/hr) | $352,220 ($169.34/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $101,460 – $557,130 | $86,250 – $622,640 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +3.6% (about as fast as average) | +5.6% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 1,100 | 200 |
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Training time | 12–14 years after high school | 12–14 years after high school |
| Key credential | Board certification (ABA) | Board certification (ABOMS) |
| Work setting | Anesthesiologists work in operating rooms, labor and delivery, ICUs, surgery centers and pain clinics.. | Oral surgeons work in private surgical offices and hospitals, including trauma call.. |
What each job does
Anesthesiologist
- Evaluate patients before anesthesia
- Plan and give anesthesia
- Manage airways and breathing
- Monitor vital signs during surgery
- Manage pain after surgery
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
- Remove impacted teeth
- Place dental implants
- Perform jaw surgery
- Repair facial injuries
- Treat oral infections and tumors
How they’re similar
Both careers involve high-pay, high responsibility, hands-on work, and indoor work. Both are part of the healthcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose anesthesiologist if…
- I love physiology and pharmacology
- I stay calm in emergencies
- I want a top-paying career
Choose oral and maxillofacial surgeon if…
- I want to do surgery
- I have excellent hand skills
- I stay calm under pressure
Still torn? Take the Anesthesiologist fit quiz and the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, anesthesiologist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon?
Anesthesiologists earn more at the median: $391,490 versus $352,220 for oral and maxillofacial surgeons, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Anesthesiologists typically train faster (12–14 years after high school) than oral and maxillofacial surgeons (12–14 years after high school).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects oral and maxillofacial surgeons to grow +5.6% from 2025–35, compared with +3.6% for anesthesiologists.