Salary & Demand Report
Market Snapshot
The dermatology job market is one of the most active in physician recruiting, with 348 dermatology physician job listings currently posted across more than 40 states — 117 of those listings include disclosed salary data, making this one of the most transparent specialty markets in the country.
National compensation runs from $225,000 to $800,000 annually, with most full-time positions clustering between $400,000 and $550,000. Dermatology consistently ranks among the highest-compensating specialties in medicine — and the data backs that up. For context on how dermatology compares to other specialties, see the PhysEmp Physician Salary Report.
Notably, many listings explicitly welcome 2026 dermatology residents, signaling strong demand for new graduates entering the workforce.
Where Pay Is Highest
Nevada and Idaho tie for the top of the compensation chart, both averaging $400,000–$700,000 — the highest ceilings in the national dataset. Missouri and Colorado follow closely at $400,000–$650,000. California, which also leads the country in listing volume, posts an average of $480,000–$613,125 — a rare combination of high pay and high availability. Illinois comes in at $487,500–$593,750, and Minnesota rounds out the upper tier at $462,500–$570,000.
Where Pay Is Lowest
West Virginia posts the lowest average in the country at $270,000–$280,000 — well below the national floor and significantly out of step with the rest of the specialty. New Jersey ($350,000–$525,000) and Delaware ($350,000–$417,000) also sit below the national average on their low ends, as do Arizona ($367,000 floor) and Florida ($385,000 floor), both of which are active markets that simply don’t lead on base pay.
The Benchmark States
Several states cluster near the national average and serve as reliable reference points for what a market-rate dermatology offer looks like:
- Georgia — $400,000–$487,500
- Maryland — $414,286–$476,429
- North Carolina — $400,000–$445,833
- Massachusetts — $400,000–$437,500
- Pennsylvania — $400,000 flat
These are stable, predictable compensation environments that often appeal to physicians weighing geography and lifestyle alongside pay.
Where the Jobs Are
California leads the nation with 42 listings, followed by Florida (24), Illinois (23), New York (22), Massachusetts (19), North Carolina (17), and Pennsylvania (16). The volume-pay relationship is mixed: Florida ranks second in volume but delivers below-average base compensation, while Illinois and California are the standouts — high listing counts and above-average salaries. For physicians who want both options and pay, those two states are the obvious starting point.
Listings Worth Noting
The top of the salary range nationally: positions in Reno, Nevada and Arroyo Grande, California both listing at $400,000–$700,000. On the lower end, a Houston, Texas listing comes in at $350,000–$450,000, and listings in Branford, Connecticut and Fort Lauderdale, Florida report $350,000–$550,000. Even within high-volume states, the range between individual postings can span $200,000 or more — evaluating specific listings carefully matters as much as knowing the state average.
The Bottom Line
For physicians prioritizing maximum earning potential, Nevada, Idaho, Missouri, and Colorado offer the highest salary ceilings. For the best balance of pay and opportunity, California and Illinois are the clear front-runners — both deliver above-average compensation alongside the deepest inventory of open roles. Recruiters sourcing in high-volume markets like Florida and New York should lead with clarity on compensation, as both states underperform their listing volumes on disclosed salary.
