OBJECTIVES: The incidence of  oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) has been increasing in many countries worldwide, predominantly among men in developed countries. OPSCC is strongly associated with human papilloma virus (HPV) infection, and HPV-related OPSCC has been described as an emerging epidemic. As HPV-related cervical cancer has been decreasing in many countries, it has been predicted that the number of cases of OPSCC will soon overtake cervical cancer. METHODS: We used an administrative claims database to identify occurrences of diagnosis codes for cervical cancer versus diagnosis codes for cancer of sites known to comprise HPV-related OPSCC (oropharynx, tonsil, lingual tonsil, uvula, soft palate, and base of tongue)among males in the years 2005-2014. We calculated ratios of identified diagnoses in each calendar year. Differences in healthcare costs between males with OPSCC and females with cervical cancer in the 12 months after first diagnosis in 2013 for patients with ≥6 months of continuous enrollment were estimated. RESULTS: Males comprised 73% of all OPSCC diagnoses in 2005 and 79% in 2014. The ratio of cervical cancer diagnoses versus OPSCC was 1.61 in 2005, with an inversion to 0.98 by 2014. Ratios decreased steadily from 2005 to 2014. A total of 3,286 OPSCC diagnoses in 2005 and 7,694 diagnoses in 2014 were identified among males, with 5,290 and 7,572 for cervical cancer, respectively. For males with OPSCC, overall costs in the year after first 2013 diagnosis was $56,974 for patients aged 50-54 and $58,900 for patients aged 55-59. Females with cervical cancer averaged $42,987 and $46,513, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Trends toward higher relative prevalence of HPV-related OPSCC versus HPV-related cervical cancer were confirmed in this population of US patients with employer-sponsored insurance.  The rising incidence and substantial costs associated with OPSCC warrant greater attention to prevention efforts through vaccination against HPV, particularly among men.