How much does a dermatologist make?

The median pay is $158.04 per hour — roughly $328,500 a year, with the real range running from about $49.43/hr (10th percentile) to $278.15/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do you need a degree to be a dermatologist?

The typical entry-level education is: Doctoral degree. Overall preparation level: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).

What does a dermatologist actually do all day?

Conduct complete skin examinations. Diagnose and treat pigmented lesions such as common acquired nevi, congenital nevi, dysplastic nevi, Spitz nevi, blue nevi, or melanoma. Perform incisional biopsies to diagnose melanoma.

Health Care

Dermatologists

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

What it pays
Dermatologists earn a median of $158.04/hr — about $328,500 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $49.43/hr; the top 10% earn $278.15/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)

What you'd actually do

Conduct complete skin examinations.
Diagnose and treat pigmented lesions such as common acquired nevi, congenital nevi, dysplastic nevi, Spitz nevi, blue nevi, or melanoma.
Perform incisional biopsies to diagnose melanoma.
Perform skin surgery to improve appearance, make early diagnoses, or control diseases such as skin cancer.
Counsel patients on topics such as the need for annual dermatologic screenings, sun protection, skin cancer awareness, or skin and lymph node self-examinations.
Diagnose and treat skin conditions such as acne, dandruff, athlete's foot, moles, psoriasis, or skin cancer.

How you get there

Typical entry-level education: Doctoral degree. Overall preparation: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).

The feel of the work

The work is mostly indoors; you're around people constantly; it rewards working independently; precision matters — small details carry weight. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)

Working for yourself

About 4.8% of dermatologists are self-employed.

Who it tends to fit

This work tends to fit people who are analytical, hands-on and people-focused.

Work a simulated shift in this job — freeMake the real decisions this job involves, then see what your choices say about you.

Related careers

Quick questions

How much does a dermatologist make?: The median pay is $158.04 per hour — roughly $328,500 a year, with the real range running from about $49.43/hr (10th percentile) to $278.15/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Do you need a degree to be a dermatologist?: The typical entry-level education is: Doctoral degree. Overall preparation level: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).
What does a dermatologist actually do all day?: Conduct complete skin examinations. Diagnose and treat pigmented lesions such as common acquired nevi, congenital nevi, dysplastic nevi, Spitz nevi, blue nevi, or melanoma. Perform incisional biopsies to diagnose melanoma.

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS. Tasks & interests: O*NET. Career pathways shown in the app are draft archetypes — verify before relying on them. Trailhead is a free career guide for students — honest numbers, no hype.

Trailhead is operated by FLEXVermont LLC. It is intended for high-school students age 13 and older, and the educators and families who support them, and is not directed to children under 13. Trailhead is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer professional, financial, or career advice, and its wage figures and pathways are estimates that may not fit your situation — they should not be relied on as the sole basis for any decision.