Explore dermatologist salary ranges, hourly rates, and how ownership, procedure mix, and locum work shape earning potential.
Dermatologists earn between $349,000 and $650,000 annually across major benchmarks. The wide range reflects how ownership and procedural income reshape compensation at the top of the market.
| Source | What it Measures | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Bureau of Labor Statistics, OES May 2024 (SOC 29-1213) | Mean annual wage | $349,026 |
| Medscape Physician Compensation Report (2025) | Average total compensation | $454,000 |
| Merritt Hawkins (2024) | Average starting salary | $475,000 |
| Doximity Physician Compensation Report (2025) | Median total compensation | $508,401 |
| SalaryDr (April 2026, 84 physician submissions) | Median verified compensation | $650,000 |
The spread between BLS and physician-reported benchmarks reflects how ownership and procedural income reshape dermatology compensation at the top of the market.
| Compensation Type | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| W-2 employed (BLS mean) | ~$168 /hr |
| Locum tenens — lower band | $225 /hr |
| Locum tenens — upper band | $290 /hr |
Sources: BLS OES May 2024, SOC 29-1213; Barton Associates market data 2025–2026.
Dermatology pay follows access gaps more than prestige geography. Rural and underserved markets consistently pay premiums to secure stable coverage.
The dermatology market is not defined by a national shortage. It is defined by uneven access, and those local gaps create long-term compensation leverage for locum dermatologists.
The AAD reports that 3,600 counties — more than 1 in 10 — have no practicing dermatologist. These access gaps are the structural driver of locum demand.
A standard full-time dermatologist sees 30 to 50 patients per day in a general dermatology practice, with Mohs surgeons performing 4 to 8 cases per day. Cosmetic and procedural volume is the primary driver of income above the benchmark median.
Locum rates range from $225 to $290 per hour. The four scenarios below use representative rates from within that band.
To exceed $650,000: combine employed income with regular locum days, focus on Mohs surgery coverage, and target rural and underserved markets at the top of the rate band.
Dermatology locum income scales with access gaps and procedure mix. The practitioners targeting underserved markets consistently earn at the top of the band.
A $265/hr locum rate versus a $168/hr W-2 equivalent is a meaningful structural advantage. 1099 dermatologists unlock business deductions across licensing, CME, travel, and equipment; higher retirement contributions through a SEP-IRA or Solo 401(k); the Qualified Business Income deduction of up to 20%; and S-corp structuring at higher income levels. Barton partners with Earned to help locum physicians navigate these decisions.
Barton coordinates your job search from start to finish!
We’ll schedule a phone consultation to discuss your interests, goals, and work history to find the right opportunities.
Your Barton rep will submit your information to the facility you want to take an assignment at and work on next steps.
Barton handles licensing, credentialing, and travel arrangements before you arrive so you’re ready on day one.
Most earn between $349,026 (BLS mean) and $650,000 (SalaryDr median). Physician-reported benchmarks from Doximity ($508,401) and Medscape ($454,000) reflect total compensation including procedural and cosmetic income.
W-2 employed dermatologists average approximately $168 per hour based on BLS data. Locum tenens rates range from $225 to $290 per hour, with the top of the band reserved for Mohs surgery and rural coverage.
Yes. Hybrid models combining employed income with regular locum days can push total compensation above $610,000. Full-time locum at $285/hr working 14 days per month yields approximately $384,720 annually.
The AAD reports that 3,600 counties have no practicing dermatologist. Rural and underserved markets pay the highest locum premiums because they have the fewest alternatives.
Tell us a bit about yourself to get started — we’ll match you with the right opportunities.
