Why young physicians are flocking to dermatology

Working four days/week, implementing cutting-edge tech, and collecting mid-six-figure salaries – tech industry perks are making their way to dermatology. And many young physicians are taking notice.

• Medical residency applications for dermatology slots are up 50% over the past five years, according to data from the Association of American Medical Colleges.
• This increase has largely been driven by women. 71% of applicants who selected dermatology as their first choice when applying for their residency match this year were women, up from 63% two years ago, according to the National Resident Matching Program.

Glamor + balance

While the work of early dermatologists was far from glamorous – they tended to treat venereal diseases, including syphilis, that manifested on the skin – the boom in skin care, and its popularity on social media, has added to the profession’s allure, the Wall Street Journal reports. Many dermatologists now perform both medical and cosmetic treatments, such as botox or lip filler.

Work-life balance is also important for young physicians, data indicates. Physicians work an average of 59 hours/week, and nearly half of doctors report feeling some burnout, according to the American Medical Association. Dermatology, with skincare emergencies few-and-far-between, is seen as less of a pressure cooker than, say, cardiac surgery.

💰 The pay is pretty good, too. Dermatologists earn a median $541,000/year, per a recent survey of 150,000+ US physicians conducted by Medical Group Management Association. Pediatricians, by contrast, earn a median $258,000/year.