Career comparison
Dermatologist vs. Esthetician
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Dermatologists earn more at the median ($328,730 vs. $45,330), while estheticians usually get to work faster (4–9 months of training). Dermatologists diagnose and treat conditions of the skin, hair and nails. Estheticians care for clients’ skin with facials, treatments and expert advice.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Dermatologist | Esthetician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $328,730 ($158.04/hr) | $45,330 ($21.79/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $102,810 – $578,560 | $29,580 – $82,050 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +6.8% (faster than average) | +8.8% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 400 | 14,200 |
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Training time | 12 years after high school | 4–9 months |
| Key credential | American Board of Dermatology certification | State esthetician license |
| Work setting | Dermatologists work mostly in outpatient clinics and surgical suites.. | Estheticians work in spas, salons, medical spas and dermatology offices, in calm treatment rooms.. |
What each job does
Dermatologist
- Examine skin, hair and nails
- Screen for skin cancer
- Perform biopsies
- Treat acne, eczema and psoriasis
- Remove skin cancers
Esthetician
- Analyze clients’ skin
- Perform facials and treatments
- Exfoliate and apply masks
- Remove hair by waxing
- Recommend products and routines
How they’re similar
Both careers involve helping others, hands-on work, indoor work, and in-demand. They sit in different fields, healthcare and beauty, fitness & personal care, but share transferable skills such as attention to detail and gentleness.
Which should you choose?
Choose dermatologist if…
- I’m visual and detail-oriented
- I want regular hours
- I like quick procedures
Choose esthetician if…
- I love skincare
- I’m gentle and detail-oriented
- I enjoy one-on-one client work
Still torn? Take the Dermatologist fit quiz and the Esthetician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, dermatologist or esthetician?
Dermatologists earn more at the median: $328,730 versus $45,330 for estheticians, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Estheticians typically train faster (4–9 months) than dermatologists (12 years after high school).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects estheticians to grow +8.8% from 2025–35, compared with +6.8% for dermatologists.