Dermatologists: Job Description
Diagnose and treat diseases relating to the skin, hair, and nails. May perform both medical and dermatological surgery functions.
Featured schools near , edit
What Tasks Do Dermatologists Perform?
Typical responsibilities of dermatologists cover:
- Conduct complete skin examinations.
- 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.
- Perform skin surgery to improve appearance, make early diagnoses, or control diseases such as skin cancer.
- Counsel patients on topics such as the need for annual dermatologic screenings, sun protection, skin cancer awareness, or skin and lymph node self-examinations.
- Diagnose and treat skin conditions such as acne, dandruff, athlete's foot, moles, psoriasis, or skin cancer.
- Record patients' health histories.
- Recommend diagnostic tests based on patients' histories and physical examination findings.
Key Skills and Knowledge
Effective dermatologists rely on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Key Skills
The competencies most central to this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Core Knowledge
Types of Dermatologists Jobs
Common job titles for this role include:
- Board Certified Dermatologist
- Clinical Dermatologist
- DO Physician (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Physician)
- Dermatological Surgeon
- Dermatologist
- Dermatologist MD (Dermatologist Medical Doctor)
- Dermatologist Physician
- Dermatology Physician
How Many Dermatologists Are There?
There are about 246,475 dermatologists working in the United States today. Employment is projected to decline by -0.9% over the projection horizon.
Salary for Dermatologists
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $66,262 |
| Hourly median | $31.86 |
| 10th percentile | $38,289 |
| 25th percentile | $52,275 |
| 75th percentile | $80,248 |
| 90th percentile | $94,235 |
Wages vary widely based on experience, location, and industry.
Dermatologists Salary by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| West Virginia | $215,740 |
| Virginia | $187,150 |
| Texas | $172,510 |
Top-Paying U.S. Regions
Compensation for dermatologists differ across the country. Top regions by median wage:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest | $172,510 | 16.6% | 0.82 |
| Southeast | $35,956 | 8.1% | 0.84 |
Which Industries Hire Dermatologists
The largest employers of dermatologists are concentrated in the following sectors:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 9,700 | n/a |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | 110 | $155,080 |
| Educational Services | 70 | $74,020 |
Dermatologists work in the following industries:
Tech Stack
- Video conferencing software: Cisco Webex (hot technology)
- Medical software: eClinicalWorks EHR software (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Video conferencing software: Zoom (hot technology)
The Day-to-Day Environment
The work environment for dermatologists is shaped by the following characteristics:
- Freedom to Make Decisions
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Contact With Others
- Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
How to Become Dermatologists
This occupation sits in Extensive Preparation Needed (Job Zone 5), reflecting the level of preparation typically expected.
Similar Occupations
Similar Occupations
- Chiropractors (Supplemental)
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (Primary-Long)
- Optometrists (Supplemental)
- Physician Assistants (Supplemental)
- Podiatrists (Supplemental)
- Nurse Practitioners (Supplemental)
- Anesthesiologists (Supplemental)
- Cardiologists (Primary-Short)
Where to Study
Future dermatologists commonly pursue programs in:
5 programs across 2 majors
Health Professions and Related Programs
2 programs across 1 majors
References
Statistics shown above are sourced from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 29-1213.00 (Dermatologists).
GradDegree.com provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© GradDegree.com – All Rights Reserved.