A dermatologist diagnoses and treats diseases, disorders, and injuries of the skin, hair, and nails. You'll need a medical degree and specialized training. It's a respected medical specialty that requires years of education but offers deep expertise in skin health.
Pathly builds you a free, personalized roadmap and helps your counselor champion you along the way.
Dermatologists examine patients, diagnose skin conditions, and develop treatment plans. You'll perform procedures, prescribe medications, and document patient information carefully. The work involves staying current with medical knowledge, making clinical decisions based on evidence, and communicating clearly with patients about their conditions and options. You'll also consult with other healthcare providers and may supervise staff. The role requires strong critical thinking and the ability to listen actively to understand each patient's concerns and medical history.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Dermatologists earn a median of $328,730 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is strong. Employment is projected to grow 6 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than average for all occupations, with about 400 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
You'll need a doctoral degree in medicine, followed by specialized residency training in dermatology. This path typically takes many years of study and hands-on clinical work. During medical school, you'll build knowledge in medicine, biology, and patient care. After earning your medical degree, you'll complete a residency program focused specifically on dermatology, where you'll develop the specialized skills and expertise this field requires. Throughout this preparation, you'll engage in extensive learning and supervised practice.
The path to becoming a dermatologist is long and structured, moving from medical school through residency training. If you're exploring whether this specialty fits your timeline and goals, Pathly can map the dermatologist path that fits you and work through it with your counselor to understand each step ahead.
You do not need a license to work as a dermatologist, but professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
You're drawn to investigative work, enjoy solving complex problems, and want to help others through careful diagnosis and treatment. You think critically, listen well, and communicate clearly with patients and colleagues.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
Start with a quick quiz and assessments that surface your personality, your EQ, and what really motivates you, so your next steps are built around who you actually are.
Your free AI guide weighs this career against your strengths and goals, and surfaces the colleges, trades, and scholarships that match, so you know if it truly fits before you commit.
Get a personalized, step-by-step plan to reach this career, with the training, coursework, and credentials tracked in one place. Link your school or IEC and your counselor in the loop.
Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).