← 2026 Salary Report / Dermatology
High lifestyle satisfaction with strong income. Mohs surgery and cosmetics drive the largest premiums.
Training: 4 years post-medical school | 5-Year Change: +12% | Range (25th-75th): $350,000-$600,000
Early career dermatologists earn $320,000-$400,000. Mohs surgeons start 30-50% higher. Peak earnings are reached quickly (years 3-5) since dermatology is volume-based and patient acquisition is faster than surgical specialties. Cosmetic-focused practices can see uncapped income from cash-pay services.
States with high sun exposure (Florida, Arizona, Texas) have higher dermatology demand per capita. However, these markets are also saturated in metro areas. Midwestern and Southern states with fewer dermatologists per capita often pay 15-25% premiums for full-scope medical dermatology.
Employed dermatologists earn $380,000-$480,000. Private practice dermatologists who own their practice and incorporate cosmetic services earn $500,000-$800,000+. Mohs surgeons in private practice routinely earn $600,000-$1M. The key variable is procedure mix: medical-only vs. cosmetic/Mohs.
Three highest-leverage actions: (1) Mohs fellowship adds $100,000-$200,000 to lifetime annual earnings. (2) Build a cosmetic revenue stream (Botox, fillers, lasers) - cash-pay services have no payor hassle and higher margins. (3) Negotiate productivity bonuses tied to wRVU or revenue targets. Use the PhysicianWealth Salary Benchmark for a personalized comparison.
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© 2026 PhysicianWealth | Full 2026 Salary Report (10,000+ words)