12 Jobs in Dermatology With Descriptions

Updated February 16, 2023

The dermatology field has multiple career paths and positions for individuals with different levels of education, experience and certifications. The field is steadily growing for several specialties relating to treating skin conditions. These dermatology positions range from upper-level surgical and physician positions to supportive nursing roles. In this article, we discuss several specialties in the dermatology field with job descriptions, average salaries and education requirements.

What types of jobs are in dermatology?

Dermatology is a branch of medicine that focuses on the skin and various skin conditions. There are several subspecialties in the dermatology field that require different levels of experience and education. Here is a detailed list of different specialties in the dermatology field:

General dermatology physician

A general dermatologist helps treat a multitude of skin conditions ranging from acne to skin cancer. Some common duties they perform include conducting patient consultations, conducting skin cancer screening testing and performing non-invasive surgical procedures. Dermatologists can also prescribe medication and initiate referrals to other specialists.

Dermatologists make a national average salary of $272,467 per year, but their salary may change depending on their subspecialty. Most dermatologists earn a bachelor's degree, four-year medical degree, medical licensure and dermatology certification before practicing.

Dermatology nurse

Dermatology nurses are registered nurses that help with the treatment and care of patients with a variety of skin conditions, usually at the direction of a dermatologist or other licensed professional. Some common duties that dermatology nurses perform include documenting patient conditions, recording medical history, getting lab specimens and educating patients or caregivers on how to care for skin conditions.

According to Indeed salaries, registered nurses make an average of $76,565 per year. However, specialty nurses may earn more than those in general practice. Dermatology nurses typically earn their associate degree or bachelor's degree in nursing and a certification in dermatology.

Dermatology physician assistant

Dermatology physician assistants work alongside dermatologists to support a wide range of patient care functions. Some of their common duties include examining and diagnosing skin conditions, administering skin treatments, monitoring patient conditions and ordering lab tests.

Physician assistants make a national average salary of $107,314 per year. However, their salary may change between subspecialties and locations. The general education expectations for a physician assistant include a bachelor' degree in a science-related field followed by a master's degree from an accredited physician assistant program.

Pediatric dermatologist

Pediatric dermatologists analyze a wide range of skin conditions for children or adolescents. Common duties for pediatric dermatologists include analyzing and diagnosing skin conditions, creating treatment plans and administering medication or treatments. While an average salary is not available for pediatric dermatologists, the national average salary for dermatologists in general is $270,844 per year. Specialists are likely to earn more. The general education expectations for a pediatric dermatologist include a bachelor's degree, a medical degree and a pediatric dermatology certification.

Related: 8 Careers in Dermatology

Dermatopathologist

A dermatopathologist is a healthcare professional that focuses on the cause and effect of skin conditions. Some common duties they might perform include analyzing skin tissue samples, comparing tissue samples and providing a diagnosis for patient skin conditions. Dermatopathologists work closely with dermatologists to provide accurate diagnoses and create effective treatment plans.

Though the Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn't report a salary for every dermatology subspecialty, it reports a national average salary of $91,510 per year for medical scientists. Dermatopathologists must earn a bachelor's degree and medical degree, complete residencies in both dermatology and pathology and pass a board certification exam.

Cosmetic dermatologist

Cosmetic dermatologists help cure and restore the skin from external conditions related to aging and other issues. They perform skin condition consultations and administer skin treatments. They may also perform cosmetic procedures such as filler injections, laser hair removal, skin tightening, chemical peels and microdermabrasion. The typical education expectations for cosmetic dermatologists include a bachelor's degree, medical degree, residency and state licensure. They may also become certified in specific cosmetic procedures.

Related: Guide To Estheticians

Gynecology dermatologist

Gynecology dermatologists study and detect diseases that affect the skin in the genital region. Some common duties they perform include conducting patient consultations, taking specimen samples, providing skin condition diagnoses and administering treatment of genital skin conditions. While the national average salary for dermatologists is $270,844 per year, gynecology dermatologists may earn more as specialists. They must earn a bachelor's degree and medical degree and become licensed.

Teledermatologist

Teledermatologists are responsible for reviewing and sending digital images with medical information to assist with dermatology diagnoses. Some common duties these professionals perform include sending and receiving digital information as well as providing skin condition analysis and diagnoses for patients. The education expectations for teledermatologists include having a four-year medical degree, medical licensure and subspecialty certification.

Procedural dermatologist

Procedural dermatologists are in charge of more invasive skin processes. Some common responsibilities they perform include taking skin biopsies, conducting laser therapy and surgically removing certain skin conditions. The typical education requirements of procedural dermatologists include a four-year medical degree, medical licensure and certification.

Surgical dermatologist

Surgical dermatologists treat medically necessary procedures of skin, nail and hair conditions. Some common duties that surgical dermatologists perform include preparing operating areas for surgery, removing skin cancers or and removing benign growths. Although the Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn't report on every dermatology speciality, it reports a national average salary of $208,000 per year for physicians and surgeons. Surgical dermatologists must earn a bachelor's degree, medical degree and medical licensure. They may also obtain micrographic dermatologic surgery certification through the American Board of Dermatology.

Related: Learn About Being a Surgeon

Mohs surgeon

Mohs surgeons are responsible for removing skin cancers from patients. These surgeons specialize in removing mid-facial skin cancers that are unclear or recurring lesions. Some common duties for Mohs surgeons include analyzing patient scans, surgically removing skins cancers and monitoring patients after surgical procedures. Even though the Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn't report on every dermatology speciality, it reports a national average salary of $208,000 per year for physicians and surgeons. Mohs surgeons must earn their medical degree, complete a residency and undergo additional training in Mohs surgical techniques.

Dermatological oncologist

Dermatological oncologists combine knowledge of clinical and pathologic skin conditions to study skin cancers and their side effects. Some of their common duties include studying skin samples, comparing samples against known skin malignancies and implementing treatment plans for those diagnosed with skin cancers. The national average salary for oncologists is $268,096 per year in the U.S. The typical education requirements of a dermatological oncologist include obtaining a four-year medical degree, medical licensure, certification and additionally specialty coursework.