Career comparison
Dermatologist vs. Registered Nurse
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. $97,550), while registered nurses usually get to work faster (2–4 years of training). Dermatologists diagnose and treat conditions of the skin, hair and nails. Registered nurses assess patients, give treatments, coordinate care and educate families.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Dermatologist | Registered Nurse | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $328,730 ($158.04/hr) | $97,550 ($46.90/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $102,810 – $578,560 | $68,940 – $137,470 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +6.8% (faster than average) | +5.6% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 400 | 180,800 |
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 12 years after high school | 2–4 years |
| Key credential | American Board of Dermatology certification | NCLEX-RN license |
| Work setting | Dermatologists work mostly in outpatient clinics and surgical suites.. | About half of RNs work in hospitals; others work in physician offices, home health, nursing homes, outpatient and ambulatory surgery centers, schools, government and the military. |
What each job does
Dermatologist
- Examine skin, hair and nails
- Screen for skin cancer
- Perform biopsies
- Treat acne, eczema and psoriasis
- Remove skin cancers
Registered Nurse
- Assess patients’ physical and emotional condition and record observations
- Administer medications, IV fluids and treatments as ordered
- Monitor patients, interpret vital signs and lab values and recognize deterioration
- Develop and update nursing care plans
- Coordinate care with physicians, therapists, case managers and families
How they’re similar
Both careers involve high-pay, helping others, hands-on work, and indoor work. Both are part of the healthcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose dermatologist if…
- I’m visual and detail-oriented
- I want regular hours
- I like quick procedures
Choose registered nurse if…
- I want a career where I make a real difference in people’s health
- I can stay calm and think clearly in emergencies
- I’m willing to complete two to four years of rigorous study
Still torn? Take the Dermatologist fit quiz and the Registered Nurse fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, dermatologist or registered nurse?
Dermatologists earn more at the median: $328,730 versus $97,550 for registered nurses, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Registered Nurses typically train faster (2–4 years) than dermatologists (12 years after high school).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects dermatologists to grow +6.8% from 2025–35, compared with +5.6% for registered nurses.