Dermatology is one of the most preferred medical specialties in the USA because of its strong earning potential. As per the Association of American Medical Colleges, more than 130,000 dermatologists are practicing in the USA. A dermatologist salary in USA depends on various factors, including location, experience, subspeciality, etc. It is one of the highest paying specialties and the average salaries range from $280,000 to $450,000 per year. In this article, we will learn about Dermatologist salaries in the USA in detail.
Average salary of a Dermatologist in the USA
Depending on recent data, the average annual salary of a dermatologist in the USA is approximately $290,000 per year. The salary per hour for a dermatologist is about $192 in 2026. Dermatologists with experience are earning $407,715 per year. Typically, the average annual salary of dermatologists in USA ranges from per year.
Why do dermatologists’ salaries in the USA vary so much?
Many factors influence the dermatologist salary in USA, such as:
- Location
Location plays a vital role in deciding dermatologist salary in USA. The states with a higher cost of living offer higher salaries. Dermatologists practicing in rural areas earn lower pay scales.
Highest-Paying States for Dermatologists
The highest paying states for dermatologists in the USA are:
| Rank | State | Avg. Annual Salary (USD) |
| 1 | North Dakota | $217,680 |
| 2 | Wisconsin | $214,891 |
| 3 | Vermont | $213,866 |
| 4 | New Hampshire | $212,049 |
| 5 | Maine | $212,258 |
| 6 | Montana | $211,895 |
| 7 | Minnesota | $216,152 |
| 8 | Iowa | $211,920 |
| 9 | Illinois | $212,855 |
| 10 | Connecticut | $210,466 |
Lowest-Paying States for Dermatologists
The lowest paying states for dermatologist salary in USA:
| Rank | State | Avg. Annual Salary (USD) |
| 1 | Georgia | $129,760 |
| 2 | Ohio | $166,360 |
| 3 | Florida | $169,040 |
| 4 | Delaware | $185,610 |
| 5 | Colorado | $192,120 |
| 6 | California | $195,820 |
| 7 | Virginia | $199,140 |
| 8 | Oklahoma | $206,120 |
| 9 | South Dakota | $238,950 |
- Experience and Career Stage
The Dermatologist salary in USA depends on experience. The higher the experience, the higher the earning potential. The details are mentioned below:
| Experience Level | Years of Experience | Average Annual Salary (USD) |
| Entry-Level Dermatologist | 0 – 2 years | $180,000 – $250,000 |
| Early-Career Dermatologist | 3 – 5 years | $250,000 – $320,000 |
| Mid-Career Dermatologist | 6 – 10 years | $320,000 – $400,000 |
| Experienced Dermatologist | 11 – 15 years | $400,000 – $470,000 |
| Senior / Highly Experienced Dermatologist | 16 – 20 years | $470,000 – $550,000 |
| Top-Level / Private Practice Owner | 20+ years | $550,000 – $700,000+ |
- Practice Type
The type of practice is also one of the major factors deciding the earning potential of the dermatologist in the USA. The private practice owners earn the highest. The dermatologists working in hospital systems get standardized salaries and many other perks like health insurance, etc.
| Practice Type | Typical Annual Salary Range (USD) |
| Academic / University Dermatologist | $200,000 – $350,000 |
| Hospital-Employed Dermatologist | $250,000 – $400,000 |
| Private Practice Associate (Employed) | $300,000 – $450,000 |
| Private Practice Partner / Owner | $450,000 – $800,000+ |
| Cosmetic / Procedural-Focused Dermatologist | $500,000 – $1,000,000+ |
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Breakdown of Salary Components of Dermatologists in the USA
Along with a monthly or annual salary, dermatologists also get some additional benefits, as mentioned below:
- Benefits
The benefits provided to the dermatologists in the USA are health/dental/vision coverage, disability insurance, paid leaves, 401 (k) contribution, loan repayment, etc.
- Bonuses and Incentives
Some hospitals offer performance bonuses to the dermatologists based on patient volume or procedural revenue.
- Profit sharing
Many medical professionals, especially dermatologists, get profit-sharing from the organization they work for or in private settings.
Comparison with Other Medical Specialties
Dermatologists are one of the highest-paying professionals in the medical field in the USA, but not always at the very top. A historical physicians compensation survey has revealed that dermatologists earn around $381,000 per year, which is higher than many non-surgical medical professionals.
Other reports show the dermatologist mean salaries are above $500,000, particularly in cosmetic subspecialties.
Job Outlook and Employment Trends
The job prospects of dermatologist salary in USA are usually stable, but the growth is not the fastest. As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, physicians and surgeons show overall modest growth.
However, the demand for dermatologists is increasing rapidly among the aging population and cosmetic services. It will lead to strong hiring in urban areas and high demand across the USA.
Pros and Cons of a Dermatology Career
Every career has its own pros and cons. Similarly, there are some advantages and disadvantages of a Dermatology career in the USA.
Pros
The pros of a dermatologist career in the USA are:
- High earning potential
- Better work-life balance
- Variety of Practices
- High demand
- Promising career growth
Cons
The cons of a dermatologist career in the USA are:
- Competitive training
- Student Debt
- Variable income
Conclusion
If you are planning to pursue dermatology in the USA or just want to know how much a dermatologist earns, you must consider the factors that determine a dermatologist salary in USA. As not all dermatologists earn the same salary, their earning potential depends on location, experience, and many other factors. The average annual salary of the dermatologists ranges from $$280,000 to $450,000. However, it is one of the highest-paying jobs in the USA in the medical field.
FAQs
Q1)What is the average annual salary of a dermatologist in the USA?
The average salary for a dermatologist in the USA is approximately between $280,000 to $450,000. The variations in the salary depend on various factors such as location, experience, practice type, etc.
Q2)Why does the dermatologist salary in USA vary so much?
The dermatologist salary depends on geographical location, experience level, and practice type. The professionals practicing in urban locations get higher income than in rural areas. Also, the dermatologists with higher experience get higher salaries.
Q3)Which states offer the highest and the lowest salaries to dermatologists in the USA?
The highest salary-paying states to the dermatologist in the USA are North Dakota, Wisconsin, Vermont, New Hemisphere, Maine, Minnesota, etc., while Georgia, Ohio, Delaware, and Colorado offer the lowest salaries. The variation is because of the difference in the cost of living and demand.
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