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 approved physician salary reports to help you make an informed decision.
See how Dermatologist salaries, lifestyle metrics, and training requirements compare to Plastic Surgeon data from approved salary reports 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Median total pay | $620,000 → | $740,000 → |
| Middle 50% of pay | $498,415 – $700,000 | $710,000 – $780,000 |
| Approved reports | 88 | 74 |
| Training Length | 4-year residency (1yr internship + 3yr derm) | 6-year integrated or 3yr after general surgery |
| Practitioner Title | Dermatologist | Plastic Surgeon |
| Lifestyle Rating | See details below | See details below |
Salary figures on each specialty page are recomputed from approved physician salary reports as new reports are approved.
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.
- Average work week: 40 hours
- Take call: 32% of physicians
- Average PTO: 49 days/year
Plastic Surgery
Good lifestyle if cosmetic-focused. Reconstructive and trauma call can be demanding.
- Average work week: 53 hours
- Take call: 80% of physicians
- Average PTO: 44 days/year
Satisfaction & Lifestyle by the Numbers
Based on 162 approved physician salary reports across both specialties.
| Metric | Dermatology | Plastic Surgery |
|---|---|---|
| Career Satisfaction | 4.5/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Would Choose Again | 94% | 90% |
| Avg Hours/Week | 40 | 53 |
| Takes Call | 32% | 80% |
| Avg Call Days/Month | — | — |
| Avg PTO Days/Year | 49 | 44 |
| Physician Submissions | 88 submissions | 74 submissions |
Practice Setting Distribution
Where Dermatology and Plastic Surgery physicians work, based on approved salary reports. Practice setting significantly impacts both compensation and day-to-day lifestyle.
Dermatology
Based on 88 approved reports
Plastic Surgery
Based on 74 approved reports
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.
Explore Deeper Data
Benchmark Reports
Lifestyle & Satisfaction
Is It Worth It?
Training & Residency
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