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Dermatologist: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 23, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$328,730median pay per year, or $158.04 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $102,810lowest 10% earn less
  2. $139,99025th percentile
  3. $328,730median
  4. $452,45075th percentile
  5. $578,560top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

The median dermatologist earned $328,730 a year in May 2025[1]. Jobs are projected to grow 6.8% from 2025 to 2035[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
+6.8%[2]
Openings per year
400[5]
Typical entry education
Doctoral or professional degree[6]

How much do dermatologists make?

The median wage for dermatologists was $328,730 a year, or $158.04 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half of dermatologists earned more and half earned less[1]. The mean (average) was $323,530 a year, or $155.55 an hour[7].

For comparison, the median annual wage for all occupations was $50,980[4].

The range is wide. Here are the annual wage percentiles:

Percentile Annual wage Source
10th[3] $102,810
25th[3] $139,990
Median[1] $328,730
75th[3] $452,450
90th[3] $578,560

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $102,810[3]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS publishes percentile wages rather than a starting salary[8]. The hourly figures follow the same pattern. The 10th percentile was $49.43 an hour and the 90th was $278.15 an hour[9].

These wages cover people paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed, bonuses that are not tied to production, and the cost of benefits such as health insurance[10]. About 4% of dermatologists were self-employed in 2025[11].

Pay by state and city

Among the 31 states with published data, Minnesota was listed first with a median of $625,790[12]. Washington came next at $526,170 and New Hampshire at $516,230[12]. A few states, such as Maine and Oregon, only have the figure "$239,200 or more"[12].

The most dermatologist jobs were in New York (2,070), North Carolina (800) and Texas (780)[13]. California had 740 and New Jersey 350[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, the New York-Newark-Jersey City area had the highest median at $374,000[14]. It also had the most jobs, 2,040[15]. Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia followed at $276,170[14].

Show median pay in 31 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Minnesota[12]$625,790260
Washington$526,170170
New Hampshire$516,23050
Maryland$442,210120
Delaware$442,12040
Wisconsin$440,710160
Illinois$435,750n/a
Tennessee$433,630100
Iowa$424,970n/a
Arkansas$422,06040
Nevada$419,410n/a
Michigan$414,910n/a
Colorado$398,810260
Alabama$394,550n/a
New York$374,0102,070
Ohio$373,640n/a
North Carolina$367,350800
Nebraska$359,580n/a
Idaho$281,92060
Virginia$280,060n/a
South Carolina$259,990180
Maine$239,200+n/a
Mississippi$239,200+70
Oregon$239,200+160
Pennsylvania$239,200+n/a
Utah$239,200+50
Arizona$233,270n/a
Indiana$225,200110
Texas$218,670780
Kentucky$195,830n/a
Connecticut$165,040n/a

How to become a dermatologist

BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree for entry, with no work experience in a related job and internship or residency as the typical training[6]. The details below come from a BLS profile that covers physicians and surgeons as a wider group, so the exact steps for dermatology can differ[16].

Board certification in a specialty is not required, but it may improve job options[22]. It means finishing a residency and passing a specialty exam[22].

In an O*NET survey of 29 dermatologists, 56% said a doctoral degree is required and 31% said post-doctoral training[23]. Because the survey is small, treat these shares as a rough guide.

What dermatologists do

Dermatologists diagnose and treat conditions of the skin, hair and nails, and some do surgery too[24]. According to O*NET, typical tasks include:

Job titles that workers reported include Mohs surgeon and dermatopathologist[26].

Where they work

The BLS profile for physicians and surgeons says they work in clinical settings such as physicians' offices and hospitals, and in nonclinical settings such as government agencies and insurance companies[27]. In a group practice, they can coordinate care but have less independence than solo practitioners[28].

For the wider group, BLS says most work full time and some work more than 40 hours a week[29]. Many have long shifts that can include overnight hours or being on call[29]. Working conditions vary by specialty[30].

Job outlook

BLS projects dermatologist employment to grow 6.8% from 2025 to 2035, from about 12,200 to 13,000 jobs[2]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5%[31]. These projection counts include self-employed workers[2].

BLS expects about 400 openings a year, on average[5]. Openings count more than new jobs. They also come from workers who retire or change occupations[5]. Each year, 1.8% of dermatologists leave the labor force and 0.4% move to a different occupation[32].

The projection count of about 12,200 is higher than the 11,370 wage-and-salary jobs counted in the wage survey[2][33]. The two sources measure different things.

Is it a good fit?

The facts show high pay, with a median of $328,730 against $50,980 for all occupations[1][4]. Growth is projected to be faster than the all-occupations rate[2][31]. The cost is a long road. It takes a bachelor's degree, 4 more years of medical school and then residency, with a license required in every state[17][20]. The BLS profile for the wider group says residency takes 3 to 9 years depending on the specialty[19]. Pay also varies a lot, from $102,810 at the 10th percentile to $578,560 at the 90th[3]. This page cannot say what dermatology training costs or how hard it is to get a place.

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[34].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a dermatologist make an hour?
The median was $158.04 an hour in May 2025[1]. The 10th percentile was $49.43 and the 90th was $278.15[9].
What degree do you need to be a dermatologist?
BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree, plus internship or residency training[6]. Physicians typically also need a bachelor's degree and a medical degree[17].
How long does it take to become a dermatologist?
For physicians and surgeons as a group, BLS lists 4 years of medical school after a bachelor's degree and 3 to 9 years of residency, depending on the specialty[17][16]. The length for dermatology alone is not given.
Is dermatology in demand?
BLS projects 6.8% growth from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[2][31]. About 400 openings a year are expected[5].
What is the highest paying state for dermatologists?
Minnesota was listed first, with a median of $625,790[12]. Washington was next at $526,170[12]. Some states only have a figure of $239,200 or more[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Dermatologists in the US was $328,730 per year and $158.04 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Dermatologists is projected to grow 6.8% from 2025 to 2035, from about 12,200 to 13,000 jobs (a change of +800). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Dermatologists: 10th percentile $102,810, 25th percentile $139,990, 75th percentile $452,450, 90th percentile $578,560. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 400 openings for Dermatologists are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Dermatologists: education needed for entry: Doctoral or professional degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Internship/residency. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Dermatologists was $323,530 per year and $155.55 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Dermatologists: 10th percentile $49.43, 25th percentile $67.30, 75th percentile $217.52, 90th percentile $278.15. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS Employment Projections: 4% of Dermatologists were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  12. Median annual wage for Dermatologists in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Dermatologists jobs: New York 2,070; North Carolina 800; Texas 780; California 740; New Jersey 350. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Dermatologists (areas with at least 100 jobs): New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $374,000; Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $276,170; Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $266,290; Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $207,000. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Dermatologists jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 2,040 (median $374,000); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 370 (median $207,000); Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC 180 (median $276,170); Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI 160; Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN 130 (median $266,290); Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY 100. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Physicians and Surgeons" covers Dermatologists together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. O*NET 29-1213.00 survey of workers (29 respondents), education level they say is required: Doctoral Degree 56%, Post-Doctoral Training 31%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 6% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET description of Dermatologists. O*NET OnLine
  25. O*NET task list for Dermatologists. O*NET OnLine
  26. O*NET 29-1213.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Board Certified Dermatologist, Dermatologist MD (Dermatologist Medical Doctor), Dermatologist Physician, Dermatopathologist, Doctor, MD (Medical Doctor), Mohs Micrographic Surgeon, Mohs Surgeon. O*NET OnLine
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  32. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Dermatologists: 1.8% of workers leave the labor force each year and 0.4% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  33. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 11,370 people were employed as Dermatologists in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  34. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.