Dermatologists are physicians who diagnose and treat patients with skin, mouth, hair, and nail disorders. After finishing medical school, they need to complete a year of clinical training, plus three to four years of residency in dermatology. Dermatologists who decide to practice a sub-specialty are required to go through an additional year of training.

According to the Medscape Dermatologist Compensation Report 2024, dermatologists are among the top earners of all physician specialties, with an average annual compensation of $479,000. This total compensation includes salary, bonus, and profit-sharing contributions.

Factors That Impact A Dermatologist’s Annual Salary & Compensation

Years In Practice

During the initial year of practice, a dermatologist’s salary is not as lucrative. Residents do not earn doctor-like salaries. According to ZipRecruiter, the median salary during the first year of practice is $376,749. A seasoned dermatologist can make well over $400,000.

Skills

Single-specialty group practices, multi-specialty group practices, and hospital employment are viable alternatives that dermatologists can opt for as a career path. The average salary for a dermatologist in outpatient care centers is $460,470 compared to an annual income of $302,940 when employed in a hospital.

Location

Salaries may vary for some reasons. Some major metropolitan areas have unusually high living costs and must offer substantial salaries or benefits to compensate. Many prairie states pay higher salaries to offset the disadvantage of their relatively harsh climate. Dermatologists from the Northwest have an average annual compensation range of $402,260 – $581,560 compared to those in other regions of the U.S.

Professional Reputation

Staffing firm Jackson & Coker reported an average salary of $327,260 for dermatologists, but an average of $65,452 in benefits raised total compensation to $392,712. Merritt Hawkins’ 2012 compensation survey found that 54% of bonuses were based on patient volumes, with 35% based on quality.

Dermatologist Salary, Compensation, And Medical Specialties

Here’s a more in-depth look at a few types of dermatologists:

Pediatric Dermatologists

Pediatric dermatologists are dermatologists who specialize in the treatment of skin diseases in children: conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, warts, dermatitis, or birthmarks. Many practicing pediatric dermatologists receive annual bonuses ranging from as low as $10,000 to as much as $150,000. Those who are working in the academic field get an average salary of $176,661 for assistant professors and $232,375 for full-time professors. A practicing pediatric dermatologist earns an average salary of $396,021 and reported a range salary from $340,894 to $462,260.

Cosmetic Dermatologist

The average salary for a cosmetic dermatologist in the U.S. is $376,749. However, the total compensation of a cosmetic dermatologist is very dependent on the quality of care.

Veterinary Dermatologist

A veterinary dermatologist is a veterinarian with advanced training in the treatment of a wide variety of animal skin diseases and disorders. Compensation may vary widely based on the level of experience in the field.

It is expected that experienced and more established dermatologists have the tendency to earn larger salaries. Indeed, the salary and compensation of a dermatologist is lucrative. This is the reason why a great number of young Americans envision a career as a dermatologist, in addition to wanting to help treat and cure individuals of skin, mouth, hair, and nail disorders.

However, it is also important to know that before you can earn hundreds of thousands a year, it is vital to go through several years of education, intense training, and additional learning to be a qualified and efficient dermatologist.

Overall, if you’re looking for a great, fulfilling career in the medical field, then dermatology could be the one.

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