How much does a skin doctor make?
Answer: A typical skin doctor in the United States makes $328,730 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 11,000 people work in this job. Well above the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Skin doctor pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $102,810 | $328,730 | $578,560 | about 11,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $374,010 | about 2,000 |
| North Carolina | $367,350 | about 800 |
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, pay can vary with experience, licenses or board credentials, the employer, and location. Some dermatologists’ bonuses depend on how many patients they see or procedures they do; hours worked can also affect total pay.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a skin doctor do?
Diagnose and treat diseases relating to the skin, hair, and nails. May perform both medical and dermatological surgery functions.
What's a typical day like?
A dermatologist examines a patient's skin, hair, or nails and diagnoses problems such as acne, moles, or skin cancer. They may take a small skin sample, remove a growth, and explain treatment or sun protection.
How to get this job
In the U.S., earn a bachelor’s degree, finish four years of medical school, then complete a one-year internship and three-year dermatology residency; pass licensing and board exams. This roughly 12-year path often means starting near age 30.
Graduate degree or long training (preparation level 5 of 5)
Good for people who like figuring things out and building and doing.
Did you know?
Dermatologists can diagnose and treat more than 3,000 conditions affecting skin, hair, and nails—not just acne or rashes.
Similar jobs
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Healthcare Practitioners and Technical jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physicians-and-surgeons.htm
- www.abderm.org/residents-and-fellows/residency-training/dermatology-training-pat
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/29-1213.00
- www.aad.org/news/national-healthy-skin-dermatologists-provide-tips-on-skin-hair-
- www.medscape.com/viewarticle/medscape-dermatologist-compensation-report-2026-eva
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY