SOC 29-1213.00Bright outlook

    Dermatologists

    Diagnose and treat diseases relating to the skin, hair, and nails.

    Median pay
    $328,730
    Growth
    +6.8%
    Faster than average
    Openings a year
    400
    Typical education
    Doctoral or professional degree

    Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition

    Source: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

    See the pathway

    Annual pay range

    Lowest 10% earn less than
    $102,810
    Median
    $328,730
    Highest 10% earn more than
    $578,560
    National wages for all workers in this occupation. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

    11,370 people work in this occupation.

    In short

    Dermatologists diagnose and treat medical conditions of the skin, hair, and nails, sometimes performing specialized surgeries. This high-paying medical career offers a median annual salary of $328,730.

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What dermatologists do

    Job Zone 5: Extensive preparation

    Diagnose and treat diseases relating to the skin, hair, and nails. May perform both medical and dermatological surgery functions.

    Most need a graduate degree, such as a master's, PhD, MD or JD.

    What the work is like

    Dermatologists spend their days examining patients to identify and treat various diseases affecting the skin, hair, and nails. They perform medical procedures and dermatological surgeries to address these issues. This role requires strong investigative interests, as doctors must gather information, identify symptoms, and solve complex medical problems.

    To succeed, these practitioners rely on critical thinking, active listening, and science skills. They must apply deep knowledge of medicine, biology, and customer service while documenting patient records and communicating clearly with colleagues. Important work styles for this profession include attention to detail, dependability, cautiousness, and empathy when caring for patients.

    How to get there

    Entering this profession requires extensive preparation, typically culminating in a doctoral or professional degree. Students usually major in medicine to build the necessary foundation. Most individuals in this field need a graduate degree, such as an MD or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree.

    After completing medical school and residency training, practitioners can pursue specific credentials. Available certifications include Board Certification in Dermatology from the American Board of Physician Specialties, as well as Primary Certification in Dermatology and Subspecialty Certification in Mohs Micrographic Surgery from the American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology. Additionally, some states list a license for this work.

    Pay and outlook explained

    In 2025, the median annual pay for dermatologists was $328,730. Earnings can vary significantly based on experience and location, with the lowest 10% earning less than $102,810 and the highest 10% earning more than $578,560.

    There are 11,370 people employed in this field. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to grow by 6.8%, which is faster than average. This growth is expected to result in about 400 job openings each year.

    Interest profile

    Realistic (R)
    63 / 100
    Investigative (I) · strongest
    91 / 100
    Artistic (A)
    15 / 100
    Social (S)
    61 / 100
    Enterprising (E)
    13 / 100
    Conventional (C)
    47 / 100
    How strongly each interest area describes the work, from O*NET (scores rescaled to 0–100). The interest code lists the strongest areas in order.

    Interest code IRS. Compare it with yours

    What you'd do

    Assisting and Caring for Others
    94
    Documenting/Recording Information
    91
    Getting Information
    91
    Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    83
    Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    82
    Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
    82
    Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
    79
    Working with Computers
    78
    Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
    76
    Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
    71
    Work activities rated by importance for this occupation, O*NET (0–100).

    Skills and strengths

    Skills

    • Critical Thinking
    • Active Listening
    • Service Orientation
    • Reading Comprehension
    • Social Perceptiveness
    • Speaking
    • Active Learning
    • Judgment and Decision Making
    • Science
    • Complex Problem Solving

    Knowledge

    • Medicine and Dentistry
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • English Language
    • Administration and Management
    • Education and Training
    • Biology
    • Personnel and Human Resources
    • Psychology
    • Computers and Electronics
    • Therapy and Counseling

    Abilities

    • Oral Expression
    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Deductive Reasoning
    • Inductive Reasoning
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Near Vision
    • Written Comprehension
    • Written Expression
    • Information Ordering
    • Speech Clarity

    Work styles

    • Attention to Detail
    • Dependability
    • Cautiousness
    • Intellectual Curiosity
    • Integrity
    • Achievement Orientation
    • Self-Control
    • Cooperation
    • Empathy
    • Perseverance

    Also called

    Board Certified Dermatologist · Clinical Dermatologist · Dermatological Surgeon · Dermatologist · Dermatologist MD (Dermatologist Medical Doctor) · Dermatologist Physician · Dermatology Physician · Dermatopathologist · DO Physician (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Physician) · Doctor

    Career pathway

    From your interests to dermatologists

    Interests that fit the work, the career, majors that lead there and colleges whose graduates in those majors earn the most. Hover or focus a step to follow one path.

    1. Interests

    2. This career

      • Dermatologists$328,730 median pay

    3. Majors

    NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk

    Majors that lead here

    Related programs by four-digit CIP code. They are common routes in, not the only ones.

    CareerOneStop

    Certifications, licenses and pay by state

    What dermatologists may need beyond a degree, where a license is required, and what the work pays in each state.

    Certifications

    Core certifications employers recognise for this work.

    Search all certifications on CareerOneStop

    Training

    Programs of study that prepare people for this work.

    • Dermatology Residency Program
    • Dermatology Residency/Fellowship Programs, Other
    • Dermatopathology Fellowship Program
    • Internal Medicine/Dermatology Combined Specialty Program
    • Medicine
    • Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy
    • Pediatric Dermatology Fellowship Program

    Find training near you on CareerOneStop

    Licenses by state

    53 states list a license for this work. Open your state for the license and the agency that issues it.

    Federal

    Check license requirements on CareerOneStop

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.

    Your plan

    Build my pathway plan

    Courses, majors, colleges, scholarships and a timeline for this career, built from your profile.

    Related careers

    Careers with similar work, interests or skills.

    All careers

    Questions about dermatologists

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What are some alternative job titles for dermatologists?

    People in this profession are also called Board Certified Dermatologists, Clinical Dermatologists, Dermatological Surgeons, and Dermatologist Physicians. Others may go by Dermatopathologist, DO Physician, or simply Doctor.

    What college major is recommended for this career?

    Students aiming to become dermatologists should major in medicine. This academic path provides the essential scientific and clinical training required for doctoral-level medical degrees.

    What are some related careers in the medical field?

    Related professions that require similar medical training include Pediatric Surgeons, Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric, and Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric. Other similar roles are Cardiologists, Urologists, and General Internal Medicine Physicians.

    Sources and attribution

    Every figure on this page comes from these public datasets. Missing values are shown as not reported, never estimated.

    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. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.

    Page data updated November 5, 2026.