Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons vs. Registered Nurses: Who Earns More?
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeonss out-earn Registered Nursess by $255K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeonss land at $352,220 and Registered Nursess at $97,550. The education gap is real: oral and maxillofacial surgeon programs typically require doctoral or professional degree, while registered nurse programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeonss is Pennsylvania ($553,740); for Registered Nursess it's California ($140,270).
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 Surgeonss or Registered Nursess?
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeonss earn more nationally. The median is $352,220 for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeonss versus $97,550 for Registered Nursess, a difference of $255K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons or Registered 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 Registered Nurses?
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons typically requires doctoral or professional degree. Registered Nurses requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeonss get paid the most?
Pennsylvania is the top-paying state for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeonss 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. Registered Nurses pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Pennsylvania, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeonss earn $553,740 vs. $96,430 for Registered Nursess. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.