How Much Do Dermatology Nurses Make?
How much does a dermatology nurse make? On average, nearly $56,7800 per year, according to ZipRecruiter data from November 2025. In addition to solid wages, dermatology nursing offers other advantages. Many dermatology nurses work in private practice during regular business hours.
Unless they staff hospital burn units or plastic surgery departments, dermatology nursing rarely requires emergency response efforts. Dermatology nurses can positively affect people’s self-esteem by helping them feel better about their appearance.
This guide details what you need to know about dermatology nurse salaries.
Average Salary for Dermatology Nurses
With an average dermatology nurse salary of $56,800 and an hourly rate of $27.31, these professionals tend to earn more than many other registered nursing specialty areas. Earnings for this specialization fall in line with the mean annual wages of $93,600 earned by all registered nurses nationwide.
Comparatively, November 2025 Payscale data indicates that pediatric nurses make an average annual salary of $72,173, while surgical nurses earn an average of $77,993.
Factors that influence dermatology nurse salaries include geography, education level, and practice settings. For example, job listings for dermatology nurses in Berkeley in California offer salaries that exceed the national average by more than 20%. Registered nursing salary data indicates that hospitals pay more than ambulatory healthcare services.
$56,800
Average Annual Salary
Source: ZipRecruiter, November 2025
$27.31
Average Annual Salary
Source: ZipRecruiter, November 2025
The Highest-Paying States for Dermatology Nursing
ZipRecruiter data shows that the highest dermatology nurse salaries are in Washington, District of Columbia, New York, Massachusetts, and Alaska. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) numbers do not specify salaries for dermatology nurses but list registered nurses in California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, and Massachusettsas earning the highest average income. Salaries are affected by the regional cost of living, along with workforce supply and demand.
The BLS projects RN employment to grow by a rate of 5% from 2024-2034, slightly faster than the average growth rate for all occupations. Dermatology faces a physician shortfall, and nurses can help fill the gap — particularly dermatology nurse practitioners.
4 Ways to Increase Pay As a Dermatology Nurse
Dermatology nurses can increase their earnings by earning certifications, pursuing higher degrees, gaining administrative experience, and transitioning to higher-paying practice settings or locations.
- 1
Consider Pursuing Certifications
Certified dermatology nurse and dermatology certified nurse practitioner credentials signal that a professional has passed a Dermatology Nursing Certification Board examination and possesses specialized knowledge in dermatology. Certifications can lead to higher paychecks and more job opportunities — some employers may even require them.
- 2
Increase Education Level
A dermatology nurse who earns a bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing can pursue career advancement and higher salaries. Spending additional time in school to become a dermatology nurse practitioner can lead to positions with an average annual salary of $100,560, according to ZipRecruiter.
- 3
Gain Experience in Administrative Roles
Like other registered nurses, dermatology nurses can pursue higher-paying administrative positions. Healthcare organizations may offer nurse manager or leadership development programs, or nurses can pursue nurse leadership certification, graduate certificates or degrees, and continuing education opportunities. Nurse leaders, which the BLS includes among medical and health services managers, earn a median annual income of $101,340.
- 4
Switch Practice Setting
Higher-paying industries for registered nurses include government agencies and hospitals. Earning more money may entail transitioning to a Veterans Affairs Administration Hospital, for example, or a major medical center. Locales with higher pay include cities in California, including San Jose, San Francisco, and Oakland, along with non-urban areas in the state.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dermatology Nurse Salaries
Dermatology nurses are registered nurses. The quickest way to become an RN is to earn a nursing diploma or associate degree in nursing in as little as one year. A specialization like dermatology, however, may require a bachelor’s in nursing, which takes about four years.
