Dermatologists vs Physicians, Pathologists: $329K vs $312K Median Pay

Dermatologists vs Physicians, Pathologists: what changes?

Consider Dermatologists if you want to diagnose and treat diseases relating to the skin, hair, and nails. Consider Physicians, Pathologists if you would rather diagnose diseases and conduct lab tests using organs, body tissues, and fluids. Both list doctoral or professional degree; compare training and prior experience separately.

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Dermatologists and Physicians, Pathologists. List the duties, credentials, prior experience, and paid training each employer actually asks for. Try a supervised class or sample project from each field before choosing a program.

BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections. National medians are not starting offers. Occupation size is not a count of vacancies. View the BLS data.

Compare the practical differences

Dermatologists

National median pay (2025): $328,730
Route into the job: Doctoral or professional degree; Internship or residency follows qualifying education. Check its duration, pay, and licensing requirements
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: Internship or residency follows qualifying education. Check its duration, pay, and licensing requirements.
Work to investigate: Conduct complete skin examinations.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 400

Know before you choose

Training continues through internship/residency after the degree path.

See the full Dermatologists brief

Physicians, Pathologists

National median pay (2025): $312,400
Route into the job: Doctoral or professional degree; Internship or residency follows qualifying education. Check its duration, pay, and licensing requirements
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: Internship or residency follows qualifying education. Check its duration, pay, and licensing requirements.
Work to investigate: Examine microscopic samples to identify diseases or other abnormalities.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 300

Know before you choose

Training continues through internship/residency after the degree path.

See the full Physicians, Pathologists brief

How the national numbers differ

Dermatologists has the edge on projected growth

Dermatologists is at 6.8% projected growth, compared with 4.8% projected growth for Physicians, Pathologists.

Dermatologists has the edge on annual openings

Dermatologists is at 400 annual openings, compared with 300 annual openings for Physicians, Pathologists.

Dermatologists has the edge on median pay

Dermatologists is at $328,730, compared with $312,400 for Physicians, Pathologists.

54/ 100

Dermatologists

49.7/ 100

Physicians, Pathologists

Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.

Detailed evidence