Dermatologists
Diagnose and treat diseases relating to the skin, hair, and nails. May perform both medical and dermatological surgery functions.
Also called: Board Certified Dermatologist, Clinical Dermatologist, Dermatological Surgeon, Dermatologist, Dermatologist MD (Dermatologist Medical Doctor), Dermatologist Physician
Median pay
$328,730
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$102,810 – $578,560
People employed
11,370
Holland code
IRS
Investigative · Realistic · Social
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 2.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
- 3.Do you want the same hours every week?
- 4.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
- 5.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
- 6.Do you prefer working indoors?
- 7.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
The hard parts
- Exposure to disease or infection
- Mistakes can have serious consequences
- Long hours on your feet
Dermatologists pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (26 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What dermatologists do
- 01Conduct complete skin examinations.
- 02Diagnose and treat pigmented lesions such as common acquired nevi, congenital nevi, dysplastic nevi, Spitz nevi, blue nevi, or melanoma.
- 03Perform incisional biopsies to diagnose melanoma.
- 04Perform skin surgery to improve appearance, make early diagnoses, or control diseases such as skin cancer.
- 05Counsel patients on topics such as the need for annual dermatologic screenings, sun protection, skin cancer awareness, or skin and lymph node self-examinations.
- 06Diagnose and treat skin conditions such as acne, dandruff, athlete's foot, moles, psoriasis, or skin cancer.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Science
Knowledge
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Education and Training
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Intellectual Curiosity
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a graduate degree (O*NET Job Zone 5).
- Related work experience: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
- A professional certification is often expected.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from dermatologists
- Athletic Trainers53% · −81%
- Midwives53% · group pay
- Genetic Counselors51% · −70%
- Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary51% · −76%
- Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary51% · −67%
Majors that lead here
- Medicine
- Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy
- Internal Medicine/Dermatology Combined Specialty Program
- Dermatology Residency Program
- Dermatopathology Fellowship Program
- Pediatric Dermatology Fellowship Program
- Dermatology Residency/Fellowship Programs, Other
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.