Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons vs. Registered Nurses: Who Earns More?
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons out-earn Registered Nurses by $255K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons land at $352,220 and Registered Nurses 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 Surgeons is Pennsylvania ($553,740); for Registered Nurses 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 Surgeons or Registered Nurses?
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons earn more nationally. The median is $352,220 for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons versus $97,550 for Registered Nurses, a difference of $255K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons or Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses has the better 10-year outlook at 4.9% projected growth, compared to 4.1% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
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 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. Registered Nurses pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Pennsylvania, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons earn $553,740 vs. $96,430 for Registered Nurses. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.