# Dermatologists

US SOC code 29-1213. Markdown version of https://futurehistory.earth/timeline/29-1213

Also called: Skin doctor, Skin specialist, Dermatology physician, Dermatology doctor, Board-certified dermatologist.

## In brief

In May 2025, [BLS](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip) counted **11,370** US dermatologists, with median pay of **$328,730** a year. Of the BLS counts since 2021, the highest was **12,040**, in May 2023. The earliest figure here is [an estimate](https://www.mdedge.com/dermatology/article/217367/business-medicine/50-years-growth-more-dermatologists-more-demand) of **4,004** from 1970, not measured the same way as today's count. The last full technology era for dermatologists: Teledermatology, whole-slide digital pathology, and EHR integration, 2010 to 2020.

## What the sources say

### Official outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 6.8% from 2025 to 2035. Source: [BLS Employment Projections 2025-35](https://data.bls.gov/projections/nationalMatrix?queryParams=29-1213&ioType=o).

### AI exposure studies

- **32.4%** of this job's tasks are exposed to large language models. Not a forecast of job losses. [Eloundou and others, 2023](https://github.com/openai/GPTs-are-GPTs/blob/main/data/occ_level.csv)

Data as of BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025-35. BLS publishes these counts as yearly survey snapshots and cautions against reading them as a precise trend.

## Dermatologists employment and pay by year

- On record since: 1836
- Latest US employment: 11,370 (May 2025). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 [3]
- Latest US median pay: $328,730 (May 2025). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 [5]
- Outlook: +6.8% by 2035. Source: BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 [19]

### All 11 years of cited US data

| Year | US employment | Annual pay (median unless marked) | Source |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1970 | 4,004 (estimate) | n/a | Est., MDedge Dermatology [1] |
| 1971 | n/a | $45,000 (estimate) | Est., MDedge Dermatology [4] |
| 1980 | 4,372 (estimate) | n/a | Est., PMC 5470415 [2] |
| 1992 | 5,996 (estimate) | n/a | Est., PMC 5470415 [2] |
| 2016 | 10,845 (estimate) | n/a | Est., PMC 5470415 [2] |
| 2019 | n/a | $420,000 (estimate) | Est., MDedge Dermatology [4] |
| 2021 | 9,230 | n/a | BLS OEWS May 2021 [3] |
| 2022 | 11,640 | n/a | BLS OEWS May 2022 [3] |
| 2023 | 12,040 | n/a | BLS OEWS May 2023 [3] |
| 2024 | 10,080 | n/a | BLS OEWS May 2024 [3] |
| 2025 | 11,370 | $328,730 | BLS OEWS May 2025 [3] |

## Sources (52)

### Employment series

1. [MDedge Dermatology -- "50 years of growth: More dermatologists, more demand" (AMA masterfile 1970 count: 4,004; 7% women; 1.7 per 100k)](https://www.mdedge.com/dermatology/article/217367/business-medicine/50-years-growth-more-dermatologists-more-demand), MDedge / AAD workforce data
2. [PMC 5470415 -- "Analysis of Trends in Geographic Distribution of US Dermatology Workforce Density" (AMA-sourced count: 4,372 dermatologists in 1980)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5470415/), JAMA Dermatology / PMC
3. BLS OEWS, national cross-industry estimates (flat file), Bureau of Labor Statistics. Editions: [2021](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm21nat.zip), [2022](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm22nat.zip), [2023](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm23nat.zip), [2024](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm24nat.zip), [2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip)

### Wage series

4. [MDedge Dermatology -- "50 years of growth: More dermatologists, more demand" (1971 starting salary recommendations $12k-$24k; senior specialty income estimate)](https://www.mdedge.com/dermatology/article/217367/business-medicine/50-years-growth-more-dermatologists-more-demand), MDedge / AAD workforce data
5. [BLS OEWS May 2025, national cross-industry estimates (flat file)](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip), Bureau of Labor Statistics

### Tool eras

6. [PMC 8178570 -- "History of dermatology: the study of skin diseases over the centuries" (Willan 1808 morphological classification; Broome Street Infirmary 1836)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8178570/), Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia / PMC
7. [MDedge -- "The rise of US dermatology: A brief history from the 1800s to 1970" (Bulkley 1836; ADA 1876; Duhring first professor 1875)](https://www.mdedge.com/dermatology/article/215855/mixed-topics/rise-us-dermatology-brief-history-1800s-1970), MDedge / American Dermatological Association
8. [PMC 8208256 -- "Dermoscopy Saga: A Tale of 5 Centuries" (Unna 1893 diaskopie technique; immersion oil and glass lens)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8208256/), Indian Journal of Dermatology / PMC
9. [American College of Mohs Surgery -- "History of Mohs Surgery" (Mohs first patient June 30, 1936; zinc chloride paste technique; fresh tissue transition 1953+)](https://www.mohscollege.org/about-acms/history-of-mohs-surgery), American College of Mohs Surgery
10. [American Board of Dermatology -- "History" (incorporated 1932; first exams 1933; three-year residency required 1938; name shortened 1955)](https://www.abderm.org/diplomates/about-the-american-board-of-dermatology/history), American Board of Dermatology
11. [HCPLive -- "TNF Inhibitors in the Management of Plaque Psoriasis" (etanercept 2002/2004; adalimumab 2005/2008; biologic era timeline)](https://www.hcplive.com/view/tnf-inhibitors-in-the-management-of-plaque-psoriasis), HCPLive
12. [MDedge Dermatology -- "50 years of growth: More dermatologists, more demand" (2019 starting salary $420k; sixth-highest in medicine)](https://www.mdedge.com/dermatology/article/217367/business-medicine/50-years-growth-more-dermatologists-more-demand), MDedge / AAD workforce data
13. [Digital Pathology Association -- "A Brief History of the DPA" (2007 inflection point; virtual slide technology development 1985-2007)](https://digitalpathologyassociation.org/blog/a-brief-history-of-the-dpa), Digital Pathology Association
14. [Managed Healthcare Executive 2025 -- Teledermatology expanded in 2025: store-and-forward cut in-person visits 27%; wait times from 30+ days to 24-48 hrs in implemented programs](https://www.managedhealthcareexecutive.com/view/teledermatology-expanded-in-2025-making-care-faster-more-accessible-and-supported-by-ai), Managed Healthcare Executive
15. [PMC 10988030 -- AI digital scribes in dermatology pilot: daily EHR time 90.1 to 70.3 min (22%); per-encounter doc time 6.5 to 5.1 min; 83.3% very satisfied](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10988030/), PMC / JMIR AI
16. [DermaSensor -- FDA clearance January 17, 2024: first AI-powered device for all three common skin cancers; 96.5% sensitivity; TIME Best Inventions 2024](https://www.dermasensor.com/resource/fda-clearance-granted-for-first-ai-powered-medical-device-to-detect-all-three-common-skin-cancers-melanoma-basal-cell-carcinoma-and-squamous-cell-carcinoma/), DermaSensor / FDA
17. [International Journal of Dermatology -- Nahm 2025: 15 regulatory-approved AI devices in dermatology globally; 3 FDA-approved in US; AI enhances screening, diagnostics, administrative automation](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ijd.17847), Wiley / International Journal of Dermatology
18. [NICE Early Value Assessment May 2025 -- Skin Analytics DERM recommended for NHS use; can halve referrals on urgent skin cancer pathway while maintaining patient safety](https://skin-analytics.com/news/regulatory-certification/nice-recommends-derm-nhs/), NICE / Skin Analytics

### Forecasts and exposure studies

19. [BLS Employment Projections 2025-35, National Employment Matrix: 29-1213 Dermatologists (2025: 12.2 thousand; 2035: 13.0 thousand; +6.8%)](https://data.bls.gov/projections/nationalMatrix?queryParams=29-1213&ioType=o), Bureau of Labor Statistics
20. [Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin & Rock (2023), "GPTs are GPTs", occupation-level exposure data occ\_level.csv (O\*NET-SOC 29-1213.00, human-rated β 0.324)](https://github.com/openai/GPTs-are-GPTs/blob/main/data/occ_level.csv), OpenAI

### Historical notes

21. [MDedge -- "The rise of US dermatology: A brief history from the 1800s to 1970" (ADA 1876; New York Dermatological Society 1869; first national society)](https://www.mdedge.com/dermatology/article/215855/mixed-topics/rise-us-dermatology-brief-history-1800s-1970), MDedge
22. [American Board of Dermatology -- "History" (incorporated 1932; first exams 1933; residency requirement 1938; one of four ABMS founding boards)](https://www.abderm.org/diplomates/about-the-american-board-of-dermatology/history), American Board of Dermatology
23. [History of Dermatology Society -- "The Founding of the Academy" (January 14-15, 1938; Statler Hotel Detroit; Howard Fox first president; 300+ founders)](https://historyofdermatology.org/founding-aad/), History of Dermatology Society
24. [MDedge Dermatology -- "50 years of growth: More dermatologists, more demand" (1970: 7% women; 2019: 37% women AMA; 2020: 47% AAD membership)](https://www.mdedge.com/dermatology/article/217367/business-medicine/50-years-growth-more-dermatologists-more-demand), MDedge / AAD workforce data
25. [PMC 8178570 -- "History of dermatology: the study of skin diseases over the centuries" (botulinum toxin cosmetic FDA approval 2002; hyaluronic acid fillers FDA 2003)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8178570/), Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia / PMC
26. [Practical Dermatology Jan-Feb 2025 -- State of AI in Dermatology: 51.7% of dermatologists use AI chatbots daily or weekly; 97% manually edit AI output; 92% cite privacy/accuracy concerns; AAD "augmented intelligence" position statement](https://practicaldermatology.com/issues/january-february-2025/the-state-of-ai-in-dermatology/32927/), Practical Dermatology

### Predecessors & successors

27. [MDedge -- "The rise of US dermatology: A brief history from the 1800s to 1970" (dermatology formed from GP practitioners who chose to specialize in skin disease dispensaries)](https://www.mdedge.com/dermatology/article/215855/mixed-topics/rise-us-dermatology-brief-history-1800s-1970), MDedge
28. [American Board of Dermatology -- History (incorporated 1932 as the Board of Dermatology AND Syphilology; syphilology separated out only in 1955)](https://www.abderm.org/diplomates/about-the-american-board-of-dermatology/history), American Board of Dermatology
29. [HealthSystem CIO Jul 2025 -- 83% of physician informatics leaders expanded responsibilities; 77% cite AI as top priority; dermatologist-to-CMIO career path validated (Tampa General Hospital)](https://healthsystemcio.com/2025/07/21/ai-tops-list-as-physician-informatics-leaders-take-on-broader-roles-face-rising-expectations/), HealthSystem CIO
30. [International Journal of Dermatology -- Nahm 2025: 15 approved AI dermatology devices globally creating demand for physician-scientists; AI device validation and FDA advisory panel roles emerging](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ijd.17847), Wiley / International Journal of Dermatology

### Present-day analysis

- [O\*NET 30.3 — Dermatologists (29-1213.00): tasks, work activities, technology skills, employment data; 10,900 employed; 5-6% growth 2024-2034](https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-1213.00), accessed 2026-05-24
- [BLS OES May 2024 — Dermatologists: median wage $239,200+; median total compensation $347,810 (SalaryDr 2026)](https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes291213.htm), accessed 2026-05-24
- [DermaSensor FDA Clearance — January 17, 2024: first AI-powered medical device for all three common skin cancers; ESS-based; 96.5% sensitivity; TIME Best Inventions 2024; 117% avg quarterly growth since mid-2024 launch](https://www.dermasensor.com/resource/fda-clearance-granted-for-first-ai-powered-medical-device-to-detect-all-three-common-skin-cancers-melanoma-basal-cell-carcinoma-and-squamous-cell-carcinoma/), accessed 2026-05-24
- [STAT News Jan 2024 — FDA clears DermaSensor AI skin cancer detection device; intended for primary care; uses light spectroscopy to analyze suspicious lesions at cellular level](https://www.statnews.com/2024/01/17/fda-ai-skin-cancer-medical-device-dermasensor/), accessed 2026-05-24
- [Practical Dermatology Jan-Feb 2025 — State of AI in Dermatology: 51.7% of dermatologists use AI chatbots daily or weekly; 97% manually edit AI output; 92% cite privacy and accuracy limitations; DermaSensor 96.5% sensitivity but 20.7% specificity for BCC](https://practicaldermatology.com/issues/january-february-2025/the-state-of-ai-in-dermatology/32927/), accessed 2026-05-24
- [PMC 10988030 — AI digital scribes in dermatology pilot (10 dermatologists, 2 PAs): EHR time reduced 90.1→70.3 min/day (22%); per-encounter doc time 6.5→5.1 min; 83.3% would be "very disappointed" without DAX](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10988030/), accessed 2026-05-24
- [NICE Early Value Assessment May 2025 — Skin Analytics DERM: AI skin lesion analysis recommended for NHS use; can halve referrals to dermatologists on urgent skin cancer pathway while maintaining patient safety](https://skin-analytics.com/news/regulatory-certification/nice-recommends-derm-nhs/), accessed 2026-05-24
- [Proscia — DermAI and Concentriq for Dermatopathology: deep-learning biopsy classification validated on 20,000+ slides; Oct 2025 biomarker detection expansion (Cleo Skin); deployed at Unilabs](https://proscia.com/press-releases/proscia-to-broaden-pathology-ai-capabilities-with-biomarker-detection-for-skin-tissue/), accessed 2026-05-24
- [Adonis.io 2025 — Prior Authorization in Dermatology: 80%+ of derm medications require PA; PA volume at academic derm clinics rose 73.8% in 2 years; dermatologists spend 16.2 hrs/week on PA and claim denials](https://adonis.io/resources/the-growing-burden-of-prior-authorizations-in-dermatology), accessed 2026-05-24
- [Managed Healthcare Executive 2025 — Teledermatology expanded in 2025: AI-assisted triage reduced wait times from 30+ days to 24-48 hrs; dermatology waitlists grew 82% since 2021; urgent referrals rose 170% in 10 years](https://www.managedhealthcareexecutive.com/view/teledermatology-expanded-in-2025-making-care-faster-more-accessible-and-supported-by-ai), accessed 2026-05-24
- [Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2025 (Haykal; Gold) — AI + laser treatment planning: AI dynamically maps skin, predicts Fitzpatrick type, pigmentation, redness, and wrinkle severity from photographs; adapts laser parameters in real time (PMC 11845933; PMC 11909625)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11909625/), accessed 2026-05-24
- [AAD Augmented Intelligence position statement — AI as "augmented intelligence" designed to enhance physician-patient relationship, not replace it; AAD 2025 Annual Meeting featured AI as pivotal innovation (MDedge; AJMC)](https://www.mdedge.com/dermatology/article/201835/business-medicine/aads-augmented-intelligence-position-statement-provides), accessed 2026-05-24
- [International Journal of Dermatology — Nahm 2025: 15 regulatory-approved AI devices in dermatology globally; 3 FDA-approved in U.S.; AI enhances screening, diagnostics, administrative automation, and practice optimization](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ijd.17847), accessed 2026-05-24
- [Eloundou et al. 2024 — GPTs are GPTs (Science): occupational LLM exposure framework](https://arxiv.org/abs/2303.10130), accessed 2026-05-24
- [HealthSystem CIO Jul 2025 — 83% of physician informatics leaders expanded responsibilities over 2 years; 77% cite AI as top priority; CMIOs increasingly responsible for AI governance (dermatologist-to-CMIO pivot validated)](https://healthsystemcio.com/2025/07/21/ai-tops-list-as-physician-informatics-leaders-take-on-broader-roles-face-rising-expectations/), accessed 2026-05-24
- [PhysiciansTrust AI 2025 — AI fixing prior authorization in dermatology: LLMs analyze clinical notes and images to strengthen authorization requests; predictive analytics identify payer approval patterns](https://physicianstrust.ai/blog/broken-by-design-how-ai-is-fixing-the-prior-authorization-nightmare-in-dermatology), accessed 2026-05-24
- [AAD Meeting News 2025 — Burdened by Prior Authorizations: AAD session on administrative burden and emerging AI solutions in dermatology practice](https://www.aadmeetingnews.org/2025-aad-annual-meeting/article/22935684/burdened-by-prior-authorizations), accessed 2026-05-24
- [DermEngine / MetaOptima — AI-powered dermoscopy platform: total-body photography, serial lesion tracking, AI change detection, EMR integration via TELUS Health; used in clinical and teledermatology settings](https://www.dermengine.com/), accessed 2026-05-24

How to read these figures: https://futurehistory.earth/methodology. Every figure links to its own source; gaps stay gaps.