Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons vs Optometrists AI Risk

Job 1

Job 2

Job 1

Job 2

low risk

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

72 shared · 28 different

core competencies

low risk

Optometrists

Side-by-Side Comparison

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons leads 4–0

Metric	Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons	Optometrists
Risk Score	11.7%	21.5%
Risk Tier	Low Risk	Low Risk
Risk Percentile	0th	10th
Tasks at Risk (>50%)	1 / 15	1 / 10
Median Salary	$239,200	$134,830
Employment	5K	42K

Skill Comparison

Sorted by largest difference

Manual DexterityAI-Resistant

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People

Performing General Physical Activities

Controlling Machines and Processes

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information

Arm-Hand Steadiness

Control Precision

Assisting and Caring for Others

Medicine and Dentistry

Thinking Creatively

Protective Factors

Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

40%

total discount

Optometrists

35%

total discount

Task Risk Comparison

Tasks sorted by AI automation risk — higher means more automatable

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

1 of 15 at risk

51%Evaluate the position of the wisdom teeth to determine whether problems exist currently or might occur in the future.

43%Treat problems affecting the oral mucosa, such as mouth ulcers and infections.

39%Evaluate and treat problems related to the temperomandibular joint (TMJ).

39%Treat infections of the oral cavity, salivary glands, jaws, and neck.

25%Collaborate with other professionals, such as restorative dentists and orthodontists, to plan treatment.

Optometrists

1 of 10 at risk

53%Analyze test results and develop a treatment plan.

39%Examine eyes, using observation, instruments and pharmaceutical agents, to determine visual acuity and perception, focus and coordination and to diagnose diseases and other abnormalities such as glaucoma or color blindness.

39%Prescribe medications to treat eye diseases if state laws permit.

39%Prescribe therapeutic procedures to correct or conserve vision.

39%Educate and counsel patients on contact lens care, visual hygiene, lighting arrangements and safety factors.

Wage Comparison

Optometrists earns -$104,370(-44%) vs Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

Oral and Maxillofacial SurgeonsOptometrists

10th

$82,960$70,060

25th

$236,780$103,310

Median

$239,200$134,830

75th

$239,200$163,710

90th

$239,200$203,210

Premium Head-to-Head Analysis

Displacement Timeline Comparison

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons2028–2035

Optometrists2028–2035

20242030203520402045

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons has a longer runway before significant displacement, projected 0 years later than Optometrists.

Risk-Adjusted Salary

Salary weighted by displacement risk: salary × (1 − risk%)

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

$211,333

from $239,200

Optometrists

$105,909

from $134,830

After adjusting for AI risk, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons offers $105,424 more in risk-adjusted pay.

Transition Feasibility

Skill Overlap

Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition

Unique to Oral

Unique to Optometrists

Combined Protection Strategy

Regardless of which path you choose, focus on these protective factors

Fine Manipulation

Creativity

Decision Complexity

Regulatory Barriers

Oral and Maxillofacial SurgeonsOptometrists

Find transitions from Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Find transitions from Optometrists