Dermatology vs Plastic Surgery: Salary, Lifestyle & Training (2026)
Choosing between Dermatology and Plastic Surgery involves weighing compensation, training length, work-life balance, call responsibilities, and long-term career satisfaction. This comparison uses verified physician data to help you make an informed decision.
See how Dermatologist salaries, lifestyle metrics, and training requirements compare to Plastic Surgeon data from verified submissions on SalaryDr. Dermatology requires 4-year residency (1yr internship + 3yr derm), while Plastic Surgery requires 6-year integrated or 3yr after general surgery.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Dermatology | Plastic Surgery |
|---|---|---|
| Training Length | 4-year residency (1yr internship + 3yr derm) | 6-year integrated or 3yr after general surgery |
| Practitioner Title | Dermatologist | Plastic Surgeon |
| Live Salary Data | View Dermatology salary → | View Plastic Surgery salary → |
| Lifestyle Rating | See details below | See details below |
Salary figures are updated in real-time on each specialty page from verified physician submissions.
Training Pathway: Dermatology vs Plastic Surgery
Dermatology
4-year residency (1yr internship + 3yr derm)
Dermatology is one of the most competitive residencies, requiring a preliminary internship year followed by three years of dermatology training. The short training duration combined with excellent lifestyle and compensation makes it highly sought after.
Plastic Surgery
6-year integrated or 3yr after general surgery
Plastic Surgery can be reached through a six-year integrated residency or three years of fellowship after completing a general surgery residency. Both pathways offer extensive reconstructive and aesthetic training.
Lifestyle & Work-Life Balance
Work-life balance is one of the most important factors physicians weigh when choosing a specialty. Here is how Dermatology and Plastic Surgery compare on key lifestyle dimensions.
Dermatology
Outstanding lifestyle with predictable office hours, minimal call, and minimal emergencies.
Plastic Surgery
Good lifestyle if cosmetic-focused. Reconstructive and trauma call can be demanding.
Career Outlook & Job Market
Dermatology Outlook
Dermatology offers outstanding job prospects with consistent demand for both medical and cosmetic services. The limited number of training positions keeps supply constrained, supporting strong compensation.
Plastic Surgery Outlook
Plastic Surgery offers strong demand in both reconstructive and cosmetic tracks. Aesthetic practices provide significant revenue upside, while reconstructive surgeons benefit from hospital-based demand and trauma coverage needs.
Compensation Growth Trajectory
Physician salaries in both Dermatology and Plastic Surgery typically increase with experience, with the largest jumps in the first 5-10 years post-training. Partnership or ownership in private practice can meaningfully accelerate earnings. For detailed breakdowns, explore the Dermatology and Plastic Surgery salary-by-experience pages.
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Lifestyle & Satisfaction
Is It Worth It?
Training & Residency
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