Career overview

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

O*NET-SOC 29-1022.00

Median pay / yr$352,220

OutlookAverage

Perform surgery and related procedures on the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial regions to treat diseases, injuries, or defects. May diagnose problems of the oral and maxillofacial regions. May perform surgery to improve function or appearance.

What it takes

The skills, knowledge, and credentials employers look for in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

Skills employers look for

Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Active LearningUnderstanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Knowledge areas

Medicine and DentistryKnowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
BiologyKnowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Customer and Personal ServiceKnowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
PsychologyKnowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.