Oral surgeons and maxillofacial surgeons are specialists who have an extended educational background. They have completed 4 years of schooling at an accredited college and followed that up with an additional 4 years of dental surgery studies. These individuals can diagnose and treat disorders in many different areas such as the jaw, neck, mouth, teeth, and gums. Some duties of an oral surgeon include extracting diseased wisdom teeth, removing tumors and cysts, inserting or removing dental implants. They have also been trained in the administration of anesthesia. A maxillofacial dentist may perform reconstructive surgery on the patient’s face.
How Much Does Oral Surgeon Make?
An oral and maxillofacial surgeon salary ranges depending on a number of factors. One of the biggest determining factors in an oral surgeon and maxillofacial income is the state in which he or she lives. Oral surgeon salary per state varies quite a bit. For example, an oral surgeon who works in New Jersey can make an average of $147,000 per year. A practitioner in North Dakota can make approximately $207,000. A maxillofacial surgeon in Puerto Rico might only make an annual salary of $78,000. Cost of living and level of demand play large roles in the oral surgeon income.
Oral surgeon and maxillofacial wages will also vary with the type of business. Dentists who practice privately have the potential to make much greater salaries than ones who work for other dentists. The industry also plays a role in the salary of an oral surgeon. A surgeon who works for another dentist can earn up to $213,000. A surgeon who works for another industry or a physician’s office is likely to make a little less. The average income for surgeons who practice for physician’s offices is $203,000. A majority of oral surgeons are self-employed.
One more thing that weighs heavily on the income potential of an oral and maxillofacial surgeon is education level. Surgeons who have had more years of training can make more money because they have multiple areas of expertise. They also have the ability to work in various industries.
There are approximately 15,000 oral surgeons in the United States. Most of them are self-employed. Four thousand six hundred thirty of these individuals are scattered about in various doctor’s offices, dentist offices, and hospitals. The industry will continue to flourish as the population increases. There is no indication that the jobs in this field with diminish any time soon.
