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Physician & Surgical Specialties$380,000 - $540,000
Dermatologist
The diagnostic expert on skin, hair, and nails diagnosing melanoma, autoimmune dermatoses, and performing dermatologic surgery.
Min Degree
Doctorate
Years Post-HS
12 Years
Patient Contact
Continuous Bedside
Setting
Outpatient Dermatology Clinics, Mohs Micrographic Surgical Suites
The PrePro Hidden Gem Factor
Top-tier compensation ($440k+), intellectual pathology variety, and outstanding lifestyle (36-40 hours/week, zero overnight hospital call).
Clinical Role Overview
Dermatologists manage thousands of cutaneous disorders, from life-threatening malignant melanomas to severe psoriasis and autoimmune blistering diseases. They perform dermatoscopy, diagnostic punch biopsies, and complex procedural excisions.
A Day in the Life (Hospital Shift Chronology)
08:00 - Full-body skin cancer screening exams identifying a suspicious 5mm dysplastic lesion
09:30 - Performing punch and saucerization shave biopsies with local lidocaine anesthesia
11:00 - Evaluating an autoimmune bullous pemphigoid patient, ordering direct immunofluorescence testing
13:30 - Mohs micrographic surgery stage excisions and frozen section tissue reading under the microscope
15:30 - Prescribing advanced targeted biologic agents (IL-17, IL-23 inhibitors) for severe plaque psoriasis
Core Clinical Tools & Hardware
- Dermatoscope (Polarized Skin Light)
- Biopsy Punches & Derma-Blade Scalpels
- Liquid Nitrogen Cryotherapy Spray
- Mohs Micrographic Histology Cryostat
Educational Prerequisites
- 4-Year Pre-Med Bachelor's
- 4-Year Medical School (MD or DO)
- 1-Year Preliminary Internal Medicine / Transitional Intern Year
- 3-Year Dermatology Residency
- American Board of Dermatology Certification