Career-PathGPS
← All education and training
Career

Dermatologists

Typical education: Doctoral or professional degreeHigh pressure Bright Outlook

What they do

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

Kinds of work

  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.
  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Social: Helping, teaching, caring for and supporting other people.

High pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $328,730 Median per year · $158.04/hr Most earn $102,810–$578,560

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Recommend diagnostic tests based on patients' histories and physical examination findings.
  • Read current literature, talk with colleagues, and participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in dermatology.
  • Evaluate patients to determine eligibility for cosmetic procedures such as liposuction, laser resurfacing, or microdermabrasion.
  • 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.
  • Instruct interns or residents in diagnosis and treatment of dermatological diseases.

Job outlook

Bright Outlook Rapid Growth

United States
7% more jobs by 2035, faster than average · about 400 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Offices of physicians85.6%
  • General medical and surgical hospitals5.0%
  • Self-employed (their own business)4.0%
  • Colleges, universities, and professional schools2.4%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 2 to 4 years

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Doctoral or professional degreeExperience before this job: 2 to 4 years

Dermatology is not an entry-level job. Most dermatologists first earn a bachelor's degree, then a medical degree, then several years of residency training, so the full path usually takes about 11 to 15 years after high school. If you're curious, it's a long road, but each step builds useful skills and you can test your interest along the way.

  1. Bachelor's degree in a science such as biology or chemistry

    4 years

    Take strong science courses and maintain good grades, since medical schools look closely at your science coursework and GPA. You'll also need to prepare for the medical school entrance exam (the MCAT).

  2. Medical school (MD or DO)

    4 years

    You learn how the body works, how diseases are diagnosed, and how to care for patients, with clinical rotations in hospitals and clinics. Medical school is what qualifies you for residency training.

  3. Dermatology Resident Physician

    3-4 years

    You train under experienced dermatologists, seeing patients and learning to diagnose and treat skin, hair, and nail conditions, plus minor and surgical procedures. This hands-on training is the main work experience employers look for before you practice on your own.

  4. Dermatologist

    Ongoing

    After completing residency and passing board certification, you diagnose and treat skin, hair, and nail diseases and may perform medical and surgical procedures.

Where it can lead

  1. Mohs Surgeon

    1-2 years of dermatology practice, then a fellowship of experience first

    After residency, you can complete a fellowship focused on Mohs micrographic surgery, a precise method for removing skin cancer layer by layer, which adds specialized surgical skill.

  2. Medical Director of Dermatology

    10 or more years in practice of experience first

    You take on leadership of a clinic or department, overseeing staff, quality of care, and planning, while often still seeing patients. This usually builds on years of experience and strong leadership skills.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take biology, chemistry, and advanced mathThese classes build the foundation you'll need for a science-heavy college major and for medical school later.
  • Volunteer at a hospital, clinic, or nursing homeHands-on time in a healthcare setting shows you what patient care is like and gives you experience to mention on college applications.
  • Join a science or health clubClubs like science olympiad, HOSA (Future Health Professionals), or a biology club let you learn, compete, and meet people who share your interests.
  • Get a starter job that involves peopleA job like a retail or food service position helps you practice communication, teamwork, and responsibility, which all matter in medicine.
  • Enter science fairs or research projectsA science project, especially one involving biology or health, shows curiosity and gives you practice in careful, organized thinking.

In college

  • Major in biology, chemistry, or a related scienceThese majors cover the core courses medical schools require and prepare you for the MCAT.
  • Get clinical or patient-care experienceWorking as a medical scribe, certified nursing assistant, or emergency department volunteer shows you how medical teams work and strengthens your medical school application.
  • Join a pre-health or pre-medical student organizationMany campuses have these groups, which offer advising, guest speakers, and workshops on the path to medical school.
  • Do undergraduate research with a science professorResearch experience builds lab and critical-thinking skills and is valued by medical schools.
  • Take a course in communication or psychologyLearning how to talk with patients and understand their concerns will help you build trust in future patient care.

Tips for getting started

  • Ask a doctor, nurse, or dermatology office if you can shadow them for a day or two. Seeing the daily work firsthand helps you decide if this path fits you.
  • Build strong grades in science and math early, since medical school admissions depend heavily on them.
  • Practice explaining medical ideas simply and kindly. Dermatologists talk with many patients about sensitive concerns like skin appearance and cancer, so communication matters as much as knowledge. Pay info is on each career's page, so check there for pay near you.

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

  • Medicine Professional degree: typical pay 1 year after finishing $65,192 a year · typical debt $207,472

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

Related careers