Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is a specialized field dedicated to the comprehensive diagnosis, surgical treatment, and management of complex conditions affecting the mouth, jaw, face, and associated structures. This advanced program prepares professionals to address both functional impairments and aesthetic concerns through precision surgical interventions, combining medical expertise with advanced clinical techniques.
- Pharmacology: Study of drug actions, interactions, and therapeutic applications specific to surgical and pain management contexts in oral and facial care.
- Analgesia and Anesthesia: Training in pain relief strategies and the administration of local and general anesthetics for surgical procedures.
- Anxiety Control: Techniques to manage patient stress and fear, ensuring a safe and effective surgical environment.
- Surgical Procedures and Techniques: In-depth instruction in a range of surgical methods used to treat trauma, pathology, and congenital or acquired deformities.
- Surgical Instrumentation: Mastery of specialized tools and equipment essential for precision in maxillofacial operations.
- Exodontia: Advanced extraction of teeth, including complex cases involving impacted or severely damaged teeth.
- Oral Diseases and Malfunctions: Diagnosis and treatment of pathologies affecting the oral cavity, including inflammatory, neoplastic, and systemic conditions.
- Soft and Hard Tissue Pathology: Examination of tissue abnormalities in the oral and facial regions, with emphasis on biopsy, diagnosis, and surgical correction.
- Dentoalveolar Surgery: Surgical treatment of teeth and surrounding alveolar bone, including surgical extractions and bone grafting.
- Infection Management: Protocols for preventing, diagnosing, and treating surgical site infections and systemic complications.
- Prosthetic Implantation: Integration of dental implants into the jawbone to restore function and aesthetics in edentulous or compromised dental arches.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery degrees, including Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 235,050 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons 29-1022 | $239,200 | $82,960 - $239,200 | 5,330 | $115.00 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1071 | $105,620 | $51,760 - $239,200 | 229,720 | N/A |
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $48,090 in Hawaii to $184,655 in North Carolina—a 284% difference. The highest-paying states include North Carolina, Arkansas, and Iowa. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 235,050 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 13 institutions offering Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is found at The University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHealth), Houston (6 graduates), Loma Linda University (LLU) (4 graduates), Boston University (BU) (4 graduates), University of Puerto Rico (UPR‑MSC), Medical Sciences (4 graduates), and University of Southern California (USC) (3 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 41 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHealth) |
Post-Master's
|
6 | Houston, Texas | Public | uth.edu |
| Loma Linda University (LLU) |
Post-Master's
|
4 | Loma Linda, California | Private | llu.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Post-Master's
|
4 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPR‑MSC) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
4 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Public | rcm.upr.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Post-Master's
|
3 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| Nova Southeastern University (NSU) |
Post-Master's
|
3 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Private | nova.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) |
Post-Master's
|
3 | Cleveland, Ohio | Private | case.edu |
| The University of Texas Health Science Center |
Post-Master's
|
3 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | uthscsa.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Post-Master's
|
3 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| Tufts University |
Post-Master's
|
2 | Medford, Massachusetts | Private | tufts.edu |
| University at Buffalo (UB) |
Post-Master's
|
2 | Buffalo, New York | Public | buffalo.edu |
| Temple University |
Post-Master's
|
1 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery programs
How much can I earn with a Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery degree?
Salaries for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery graduates vary by role and location. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons earn a median of $239,200 annually, while Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $105,620. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in North Carolina average $184,655 compared to $48,090 in Hawaii. Approximately 235,050 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery programs?
Currently 13 accredited institutions offer Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include The University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHealth), Houston (6 graduates), Loma Linda University (LLU) (4 graduates), and Boston University (BU) (4 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 27 in 2010 to 41 in 2023-24. This represents a 52% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, . Related occupations employ approximately 235,050 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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