Career comparison
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon vs. Prosthodontist
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. $311,180), while prosthodontists usually get to work faster (11 years after high school of training). Oral and maxillofacial surgeons perform surgery on the mouth, jaws and face, from wisdom teeth to reconstruction. Prosthodontists restore and replace teeth with crowns, bridges, dentures and implants.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon | Prosthodontist | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $352,220 ($169.34/hr) | $311,180 ($149.61/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $86,250 – $622,640 | $103,510 – $344,750 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +5.6% (faster than average) | +5.8% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 200 | 0 |
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Training time | 12–14 years after high school | 11 years after high school |
| Key credential | Board certification (ABOMS) | American Board of Prosthodontics certification |
| Work setting | Oral surgeons work in private surgical offices and hospitals, including trauma call.. | Prosthodontists work in private practices, universities and hospitals.. |
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
Prosthodontist
- Plan complex restorations
- Place crowns, bridges and veneers
- Design dentures
- Restore dental implants
- Treat bite and jaw problems
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 prosthodontist if…
- I like art and science together
- I enjoy precise hand work
- I want to restore smiles
Still torn? Take the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon fit quiz and the Prosthodontist fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, oral and maxillofacial surgeon or prosthodontist?
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons earn more at the median: $352,220 versus $311,180 for prosthodontists, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Prosthodontists typically train faster (11 years after high school) than oral and maxillofacial surgeons (12–14 years after high school).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects prosthodontists to grow +5.8% from 2025–35, compared with +5.6% for oral and maxillofacial surgeons.