Dermatologists
Dermatologists (SOC 29-1213) earn a median $328,730 a year ($158.04 an hour) in the United States, with 11,370 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is Minnesota.
What dermatologists do
Dermatologists diagnose and treat diseases of the skin, hair and nails, and the SOC notes that they may perform both medical and dermatological surgery. They conduct complete skin examinations, record patients' health histories and recommend diagnostic tests based on the history and physical findings. They diagnose and treat conditions such as acne, dandruff, athlete's foot, moles, psoriasis and skin cancer, including pigmented lesions such as nevi and melanoma. Incisional biopsies are performed to diagnose melanoma, and skin surgery is done to improve appearance, make early diagnoses or control diseases such as skin cancer. Dermatologists also counsel patients on annual screenings, sun protection, skin cancer awareness, and skin and lymph node self-examination. More than half of respondents report a doctoral degree and nearly a third report post-doctoral training. Variants like clinical dermatologist, dermatological surgeon and dermatopathologist show that the field has surgical and laboratory-oriented subspecialties.
Typical entry: O*NET respondents most often report a doctoral degree as the typical level of education for this occupation (56 percent).
Also called: Board Certified Dermatologist, Clinical Dermatologist, Dermatological Surgeon, Dermatologist, Dermatologist MD (Dermatologist Medical Doctor).
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $49.43 | $67.30 | $158.04 | $217.52 | $278.15 | $155.55 | 11,370 |
| Annual | $102,810 | $139,990 | $328,730 | $452,450 | $578,560 | $323,530 | ||
Employment per 1,000 jobs and the location quotient are area measures; they appear in the state and metro tables below. To see what a wage in this range leaves after tax, use FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Where dermatologists earn and work most
Five highest-paying states
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Minnesota | Hourly | $38.20 | $179.55 | $300.86 | $350.09 | $350.10 | $245.32 | 260 | 0.09 | 1.22 |
| Annual | $79,450 | $373,470 | $625,790 | $728,190 | $728,210 | $510,270 | ||||
| Washington | Hourly | $47.43 | $63.47 | $252.97 | $263.49 | $323.48 | $198.25 | 170 | 0.05 | 0.64 |
| Annual | $98,650 | $132,020 | $526,170 | $548,050 | $672,840 | $412,360 | ||||
| New Hampshire | Hourly | $36.76 | $83.65 | $248.19 | $331.07 | $331.07 | $210.61 | 50 | 0.07 | 0.92 |
| Annual | $76,450 | $173,990 | $516,230 | $688,630 | $688,630 | $438,070 | ||||
| Maryland | Hourly | $77.66 | $138.07 | $212.60 | $212.62 | $225.31 | $185.09 | 120 | 0.04 | 0.60 |
| Annual | $161,540 | $287,180 | $442,210 | $442,240 | $468,650 | $384,980 | ||||
| Delaware | Hourly | $99.74 | $165.62 | $212.56 | $214.33 | $214.33 | $177.97 | 40 | 0.09 | 1.20 |
| Annual | $207,450 | $344,480 | $442,120 | $445,800 | $445,800 | $370,170 | ||||
Five states with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| New York | Hourly | $51.11 | $89.57 | $179.81 | $217.93 | $234.94 | $160.69 | 2,070 | 0.21 | 2.92 |
| Annual | $106,320 | $186,300 | $374,010 | $453,290 | $488,680 | $334,230 | ||||
| North Carolina | Hourly | $89.76 | $163.61 | $176.61 | $187.50 | $228.83 | $173.52 | 800 | 0.16 | 2.21 |
| Annual | $186,700 | $340,320 | $367,350 | $389,990 | $475,970 | $360,910 | ||||
| Texas | Hourly | $47.36 | $99.52 | $105.13 | $168.27 | $256.75 | $140.21 | 780 | 0.06 | 0.76 |
| Annual | $98,500 | $207,000 | $218,670 | $349,990 | $534,030 | $291,630 | ||||
| California | Hourly | * | * | * | * | * | * | 740 | 0.04 | 0.55 |
| Annual | * | * | * | * | * | * | ||||
| New Jersey | Hourly | * | * | * | * | * | * | 350 | 0.08 | 1.13 |
| Annual | * | * | * | * | * | * | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | Hourly | $40.19 | $129.60 | $308.27 | $323.48 | $370.26 | $231.00 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $83,590 | $269,560 | $641,210 | $672,840 | $770,140 | $480,490 | ||||
| Toledo, OH | Hourly | $96.97 | $175.60 | $221.19 | $221.19 | $348.55 | $204.37 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $201,690 | $365,250 | $460,070 | $460,070 | $724,990 | $425,080 | ||||
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | Hourly | $104.72 | $157.99 | $220.08 | $229.47 | $276.32 | $200.09 | 80 | 0.21 | 2.85 |
| Annual | $217,820 | $328,610 | $457,770 | $477,310 | $574,740 | $416,190 | ||||
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | Hourly | $71.42 | $209.49 | $209.49 | $209.50 | $258.74 | $193.63 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $148,550 | $435,740 | $435,750 | $435,750 | $538,180 | $402,740 | ||||
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | Hourly | $55.74 | $129.27 | $201.64 | $221.69 | $221.69 | $165.54 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $115,940 | $268,890 | $419,410 | $461,120 | $461,120 | $344,310 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Hourly | $48.07 | $72.11 | $179.81 | $217.93 | $235.03 | $155.64 | 2,040 | 0.22 | 2.94 |
| Annual | $99,990 | $149,990 | $374,000 | $453,290 | $488,860 | $323,720 | ||||
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | Hourly | $36.95 | $99.52 | $99.52 | $168.26 | $174.55 | $123.60 | 370 | 0.11 | 1.53 |
| Annual | $76,860 | $207,000 | $207,000 | $349,990 | $363,070 | $257,080 | ||||
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | Hourly | $89.76 | $89.76 | $132.78 | $175.09 | $175.09 | $131.51 | 180 | 0.14 | 1.85 |
| Annual | $186,700 | $186,700 | $276,170 | $364,180 | $364,180 | $273,540 | ||||
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | Hourly | * | * | * | * | * | * | 160 | 0.08 | 1.09 |
| Annual | * | * | * | * | * | * | ||||
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | Hourly | $31.01 | $81.94 | $128.02 | $181.69 | $181.69 | $127.49 | 130 | 0.12 | 1.62 |
| Annual | $64,490 | $170,440 | $266,290 | $377,910 | $377,910 | $265,180 | ||||
Top industries employing dermatologists
Offices of Physicians employ 89.4% of dermatologists nationally (10,170 jobs) at a median $331,380 a year ($159.32 an hour), followed by General Medical and Surgical Hospitals (5.7%) and Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (2.0%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Offices of Physicians NAICS 621100 | 10,170 | 89.4% | $331,380 | $159.32 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals NAICS 622100 | 650 | 5.7% | $123,900 | $59.57 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools NAICS 611300 | 230 | 2.0% | $102,810 | $49.43 |
| Outpatient Care Centers NAICS 621400 | 170 | 1.5% | # | # |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (11,370). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Every state, by median wage
34 states and DC publish a row for this occupation. A linked state has its own page with the within-state metro table and comparison; the others appear here only.
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota profile | $300.86 | $625,790 | $79,450 | $728,210 | 260 | 0.09 | 1.22 |
| 2 | Washington profile | $252.97 | $526,170 | $98,650 | $672,840 | 170 | 0.05 | 0.64 |
| 3 | New Hampshire profile | $248.19 | $516,230 | $76,450 | $688,630 | 50 | 0.07 | 0.92 |
| 4 | Maryland profile | $212.60 | $442,210 | $161,540 | $468,650 | 120 | 0.04 | 0.60 |
| 5 | Delaware profile | $212.56 | $442,120 | $207,450 | $445,800 | 40 | 0.09 | 1.20 |
| 6 | Wisconsin profile | $211.88 | $440,710 | $77,440 | $757,250 | 160 | 0.05 | 0.75 |
| 7 | Illinois profile | $209.49 | $435,750 | $148,550 | $538,170 | ** | ** | ** |
| 8 | Tennessee profile | $208.48 | $433,630 | $70,330 | $623,290 | 100 | 0.03 | 0.41 |
| 9 | Iowa profile | $204.31 | $424,970 | $233,890 | $468,740 | ** | ** | ** |
| 10 | Arkansas profile | $202.91 | $422,060 | $139,260 | $545,080 | 40 | 0.03 | 0.45 |
| 11 | Nevada profile | $201.64 | $419,410 | $115,940 | $461,120 | ** | ** | ** |
| 12 | Michigan profile | $199.48 | $414,910 | $103,490 | $519,590 | ** | ** | ** |
| 13 | Colorado profile | $191.74 | $398,810 | $153,340 | $501,410 | 260 | 0.09 | 1.22 |
| 14 | Alabama profile | $189.69 | $394,550 | $110,530 | $705,310 | ** | ** | ** |
| 15 | New York profile | $179.81 | $374,010 | $106,320 | $488,680 | 2,070 | 0.21 | 2.92 |
| 16 | Ohio profile | $179.64 | $373,640 | $67,020 | $426,530 | ** | ** | ** |
| 17 | North Carolina profile | $176.61 | $367,350 | $186,700 | $475,970 | 800 | 0.16 | 2.21 |
| 18 | Nebraska profile | $172.88 | $359,580 | $103,620 | $588,160 | ** | ** | ** |
| 19 | Idaho profile | $135.54 | $281,920 | $124,890 | $612,100 | 60 | 0.07 | 0.89 |
| 20 | Virginia profile | $134.65 | $280,060 | $107,590 | $583,390 | ** | ** | ** |
| 21 | South Carolina profile | $124.99 | $259,990 | $165,600 | $437,060 | 180 | 0.08 | 1.09 |
| 22 | Arizona profile | $112.15 | $233,270 | $103,990 | $656,230 | ** | ** | ** |
| 23 | Indiana profile | $108.27 | $225,200 | $104,670 | $578,040 | 110 | 0.03 | 0.46 |
| 24 | Texas profile | $105.13 | $218,670 | $98,500 | $534,030 | 780 | 0.06 | 0.76 |
| 25 | Kentucky profile | $94.15 | $195,830 | $124,570 | $472,580 | ** | ** | ** |
| 26 | Connecticut profile | $79.34 | $165,040 | $74,480 | $439,400 | ** | ** | ** |
| – | California profile | * | * | * | * | 740 | 0.04 | 0.55 |
| – | Hawaii profile | * | * | * | * | 80 | 0.13 | 1.75 |
| – | Maine profile | # | # | # | # | ** | ** | ** |
| – | Mississippi profile | # | # | # | # | 70 | 0.06 | 0.82 |
| – | New Jersey profile | * | * | * | * | 350 | 0.08 | 1.13 |
| – | Oregon profile | # | # | # | # | 160 | 0.08 | 1.11 |
| – | Pennsylvania profile | # | # | # | # | ** | ** | ** |
| – | Utah profile | # | # | # | # | 50 | 0.03 | 0.39 |
Related occupations
Occupations in the same SOC broad group (29-1210), with their national median annual wage.
Part of Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations. Compare any area in the wage explorer.
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS 29-1213 Dermatologists.
#- Equal to or greater than the top code (BLS publishes no wage above it).
*- Wage estimate not available.
**- Employment estimate not available.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.
- Top industries: nat4d_M2025_dl.xlsx in oesm25in4.zip (BLS OEWS May 2025, national, 4-digit NAICS, cross-ownership). Employment is the industry's rounded total for this occupation; industries whose employment BLS withheld (**) are not ranked. A withheld or top-coded median in that table shows the marker explained above.
Sources
- BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018, definition of 29-1213, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 29-1213.00, National Center for O*NET Development, USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0).
- OEWS May 2025 national industry-specific estimates, 4-digit NAICS (oesm25in4.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
Includes information from O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Description written 2026-10-17 in our own words from the sources above.