Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons vs. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses: Who Earns More?
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons out-earn Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses by $288K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons land at $352,220 and Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses at $64,400. The education gap is real: oral and maxillofacial surgeon programs typically require doctoral or professional degree, while licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse programs require postsecondary nondegree award. Top-paying state for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons is Pennsylvania ($553,740); for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses it's Washington ($83,150).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons earn more nationally. The median is $352,220 for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons versus $64,400 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, a difference of $288K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?
BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.
Which requires more education, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons typically requires doctoral or professional degree. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses requires postsecondary nondegree award. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons get paid the most?
Pennsylvania is the top-paying state for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons at $553,740/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons vs. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Pennsylvania, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons earn $553,740 vs. $63,940 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.