Career Overview
Diagnose and treat diseases relating to the skin, hair, and nails. May perform both medical and dermatological surgery functions.
Also Known As
- Board Certified Dermatologist
- Dermatologist Physician
- MD (Medical Doctor)
- Mohs Surgeon
Alternate Job Titles
- Board Certified Dermatologist
- Clinical Dermatologist
- Dermatological Surgeon
- Dermatologist
- Dermatologist MD (Dermatologist Medical Doctor)
- Dermatologist Physician
- Dermatology Physician
- Dermatopathologist
- DO Physician (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Physician)
- Doctor
- General Dermatologist
- MD (Medical Doctor)
- Medical Dermatologist
- Mohs Micrographic Surgeon
- Mohs Surgeon
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Conduct complete skin examinations.
- Diagnose and treat pigmented lesions such as common acquired nevi, congenital nevi, dysplastic nevi, Spitz nevi, blue nevi, or melanoma.
- Perform incisional biopsies to diagnose melanoma.
- Perform skin surgery to improve appearance, make early diagnoses, or control diseases such as skin cancer.
- Counsel patients on topics such as the need for annual dermatologic screenings, sun protection, skin cancer awareness, or skin and lymph node self-examinations.
- Diagnose and treat skin conditions such as acne, dandruff, athlete's foot, moles, psoriasis, or skin cancer.
- Record patients' health histories.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Education and Training
- Biology
- Personnel and Human Resources
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Service Orientation
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Active Learning
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Science
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Oral Comprehension
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
- Near Vision
- Written Comprehension
- Written Expression
- Information Ordering
- Speech Clarity
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Integrity
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Achievement
- Working Conditions
- Recognition
- Relationships
- Independence
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Doctoral Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month
Education Details: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience Required: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Cisco Webex
- eClinicalWorks EHR software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Word
- Zoom
Tools & Equipment
- Aspiration guns
- Automated external defibrillators AED
- Biopsy containers
- Biopsy punches
- Cauterizers
- Chalazion clamps
- Cilia forceps
- Cryo tweezers
- Cryoguns
- Cryosurgical units
- Dermal curettes
- Dermatological lasers
- Dermatoscopes
- Desktop computers
- Digital medical thermometers
Work Environment
- Freedom to Make Decisions
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Contact With Others
- Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $118,540 |
| Median | >$239,200 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | >$239,200 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 10,080
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Pediatric Surgeons
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: >$239,200
Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: >$239,200
Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric
Education: Post-Doctoral Training
Median Salary: >$239,200
Cardiologists
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: >$239,200
Urologists
Education: Post-Doctoral Training
Median Salary: >$239,200
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.