Career comparison
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon vs. Orthodontist
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons earn more at the median ($352,220 vs. $289,140), while orthodontists usually get to work faster (10–11 years after high school of training). Oral and maxillofacial surgeons perform surgery on the mouth, jaws and face, from wisdom teeth to reconstruction. Orthodontists straighten teeth and correct bites with braces and aligners.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon | Orthodontist | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $352,220 ($169.34/hr) | $289,140 ($139.01/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $86,250 – $622,640 | $99,850 – $416,000 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +5.6% (faster than average) | +6.0% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 200 | 200 |
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Training time | 12–14 years after high school | 10–11 years after high school |
| Key credential | Board certification (ABOMS) | American Board of Orthodontics certification |
| Work setting | Oral surgeons work in private surgical offices and hospitals, including trauma call.. | Orthodontists work in private offices, often with several chairs and assistants.. |
What each job does
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
- Remove impacted teeth
- Place dental implants
- Perform jaw surgery
- Repair facial injuries
- Treat oral infections and tumors
Orthodontist
- Examine teeth and jaw alignment
- Take X-rays, photos and scans
- Design treatment plans
- Place braces and appliances
- Prescribe clear aligners
How they’re similar
Both careers involve high-pay, hands-on work, indoor work, and in-demand. Both are part of the healthcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose oral and maxillofacial surgeon if…
- I want to do surgery
- I have excellent hand skills
- I stay calm under pressure
Choose orthodontist if…
- I like precise hand work
- I enjoy working with kids and teens
- I want regular hours
Still torn? Take the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon fit quiz and the Orthodontist fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, oral and maxillofacial surgeon or orthodontist?
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons earn more at the median: $352,220 versus $289,140 for orthodontists, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Orthodontists typically train faster (10–11 years after high school) than oral and maxillofacial surgeons (12–14 years after high school).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects orthodontists to grow +6.0% from 2025–35, compared with +5.6% for oral and maxillofacial surgeons.