Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Doctoral or professional degree
None
Internship/residency
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Dermatologists are specialized medical doctors focused on conditions related to skin and related areas. This role combines scientific knowledge with strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills. National employment is 11,000, indicating a relatively focused profession within healthcare. Projected employment growth of 6.4% suggests that opportunities are expected to expand over time. Career success in dermatology draws on being detail oriented, using science skills, and applying critical and analytical thinking to make sound decisions. The work also relies on interpersonal strengths, customer service, and clear writing and reading skills to communicate effectively. Leadership, adaptability, and comfort with computers and information technology round out the skill set. With a typical education requirement of a doctoral or professional degree, this path is aimed at individuals ready for extensive professional training and a high level of responsibility in patient care and clinical decision making.
Earning potential for dermatologists is strong in several states and metro areas. Among the top states by opportunity score, median salaries range from $218,670 in Texas to $526,170 in Washington. Maryland and New York also show high median salaries of $442,210 and $374,010, respectively, while Colorado reports $398,810. In the top metro areas, dermatologists in the New York-Newark-Jersey City region have a median salary of $374,000. Other notable metros include Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia at $276,170, Cincinnati at $266,290, Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington at $232,910, and Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands at $207,000. These figures indicate that compensation for dermatologists can vary significantly by location, with some states and metro areas offering notably higher median pay than others within this field.
Dermatology shows a projected employment growth rate of 6.4%, indicating that overall demand for these specialists is expected to increase. National employment stands at 11,000, reflecting a relatively concentrated profession within healthcare. The combination of a defined employment base and positive projected growth suggests that new positions may continue to emerge over time. Annual openings are listed as 0, which highlights that this role may have limited turnover or closely managed entry opportunities in the data provided. For individuals willing to meet the educational and skill requirements, the growth projection points to a profession with expanding employment potential, even though the recorded annual openings figure remains at zero. Prospective dermatologists can consider both the current employment scale and the growth percentage when evaluating the long-term stability and expansion of this career path.
Location can make a substantial difference for dermatologists in terms of salary levels, employment counts, and overall opportunity scores. Among states, Washington reports the highest median salary at $526,170, followed by Maryland at $442,210, Colorado at $398,810, and New York at $374,010. Texas shows a lower median salary of $218,670 but has a relatively higher employment level of 780. New York leads in state employment with 2,070 dermatologists and also holds the highest state opportunity score of 65.78. At the metro level, New York-Newark-Jersey City stands out with an opportunity score of 77.27, median salary of $374,000, and employment of 2,040. Other strong metros include Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, and Cincinnati, each combining specific mixes of salary, employment, and opportunity scores that may appeal to different career priorities.
The typical education requirement for dermatologists is a doctoral or professional degree, reflecting the advanced level of medical expertise needed in this field. This extensive education supports the scientific foundation of the role, aligning with key skills such as science, critical and analytical thinking, and problem solving and decision making. Being detail oriented is essential for applying this knowledge accurately. Interpersonal skills and customer service are also important, since dermatologists work directly with patients and other healthcare professionals. Leadership and adaptability help dermatologists function effectively in clinical environments and evolving healthcare settings. Competence with computers and information technology supports modern medical practice, while strong writing and reading skills aid in documentation and communication. Together, the doctoral or professional degree and this blend of technical, analytical, and people-focused skills define the professional preparation needed for a career in dermatology.
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