What is a dermatologist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read

A dermatologist is a physician prepared to treat the skin's diseases and conditions on any part of the body. They can negotiate with anything from a fungus or bacterial infection of the skin to various cancer types. They evaluate patients, analyze their medical history, and refer them to other specialists as necessitated.

To become a dermatologist, you should possess either an M.D. or a D.O. degree (medical doctorate). However, some employers do accept someone with a bachelor's degree in the medical field and a certification.

The graduates who approach this field end up laying claim to annual earnings at $254,158. The current median pay for a dermatologist ranges from $211,301 to $262,768 in the U.S. However, this figure can vary significantly depending upon your experience, skills, or organization.

ScoreDermatologistUS Average
Salary
10.0

Avg. Salary $407,715

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
10.0

Growth Rate 7%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
1.7
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.16%

Asian 18.43%

Black or African American 5.26%

Hispanic or Latino 10.03%

Unknown 4.50%

White 61.62%

Gender

female 85.53%

male 14.47%

Age - 48
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 48
Stress Level
10.0

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
10.0

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
7.8

Work Life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Dermatologist career paths

Key steps to become a dermatologist

  1. Explore dermatologist education requirements

    Most common dermatologist degrees

    Bachelor's

    33.1 %

    Associate

    18.8 %

    Certificate

    14.6 %
  2. Start to develop specific dermatologist skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Patients34.19%
    Mohs26.04%
    Patient Care13.17%
    EMR9.42%
    Private Practice2.37%
  3. Research dermatologist duties and responsibilities

    • Manage all incoming medical records requests (ensuring office is within HIPPA guidelines).
    • Enter patient information into EMR.
    • Maintain OSHA logs on all equipment.
    • suture removal, assist in MOHS surgery.
  4. Prepare your dermatologist resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your dermatologist resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a dermatologist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Dermatologist Resume templates

    Build a professional Dermatologist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Dermatologist resume.
    Dermatologist Resume
    Dermatologist Resume
    Dermatologist Resume
    Dermatologist Resume
    Dermatologist Resume
    Dermatologist Resume
    Dermatologist Resume
    Dermatologist Resume
    Dermatologist Resume
  5. Apply for dermatologist jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a dermatologist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Dermatologist Job

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Average dermatologist salary

The average Dermatologist salary in the United States is $407,715 per year or $196 per hour. Dermatologist salaries range between $202,000 and $820,000 per year.

Average Dermatologist Salary
$407,715 Yearly
$196.02 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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