If you aspire to be a dermatologist, you will have the opportunity to be a part of a rewarding career. The aim of this article is to explain the salary range, educational qualifications, and the job description of such professionals in detail.
The job of dermatologists involves careful observation of the skin, nails, and hair and detection of various problems in them. Based on the diagnosis, they decide the suitable type of treatment, which can bring the condition of the skin back to normal. They have expertise in treating complex skin diseases and disorders such as skin cancer, itching, development of rashes on the skin, acne, eczema, and also certain types of skin allergies.
They are well aware of the procedures, including dermabrasion for the proper treatment of scars, and the use of laser treatment and botox injections to deal with aging and development of wrinkles on the skin. Radiotherapy and surgery can also be used to treat some of the skin-related issues.
How to Become a Dermatologist?
- To become a professional, you need to complete a Bachelor’s degree in Medicine.
- Internship is very essential for the students to get practical knowledge.
- After the internship is successfully completed, the students have to complete the residency program.
- In the residency program, the students study important subjects such as general surgery, pediatrics, gynecology, and obstetrics.
- Training in family practice is also imparted in the residency program.
- Once the residency program is over, the final certificate can be obtained, only after clearing the exam, which is controlled by the American Board of Dermatology.
Salary Details
Their pay scale depends on various factors such as the location of service or individual practice, years of experience, skills, ability to learn new techniques, and on how dedicated and focused their efforts are. The average salary of a dermatologist has been found to be around USD 140,000 per year. The salary figures have always been impressive for the talented and deserving candidates. Even the ones who have an experience of less than three years can make up to USD 120,000 per annum. As the experience and skill set increase, the salary has the potential to rise at a great pace. With around 10 – 13 years of experience, it is not too difficult to earn around USD 190,000 per year.
Dermatologists, with their own private practice are known to earn more than the salaried or employed professionals. However, setting up a well-running practice requires time, patience, and heavy investment, and hence, in the initial stages, till the practice gets fully established, the salaried professionals may earn more than the self-employed ones. There are many such self-employed individuals, earning in excess of USD 250,000 per year. In some exceptional cases, this figure may even rise to USD 400,000 per year mark. The median salary of dermatologists has been found to be around USD 230,000 per year.
Thus, it won’t be wrong to conclude that this is a very prestigious and highly rewarding field. People who have genuine interest in this field should give it a sincere try.