Dermatologist salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Dermatologists in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn a median of $233,370 a year ($112.20 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $63,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $558,920 for the top 10%. That is 29% lower than the national median of $328,730. The average (mean) salary is $302,150, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dermatologists in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,630 | $30.59 |
| 25th percentile | $93,140 | $44.78 |
| Median | $233,370 | $112.20 |
| 75th percentile | $558,920 | $268.71 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $558,920 | $268.71 |
| Average (mean) | $302,150 | $145.27 |
Half of dermatologists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $19,447.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $9,723.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $8,975.77 |
| Weekly | $4,487.88 |
| Hourly | $112.20 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $233,370 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Highest-paying states for dermatologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $625,790 |
| Washington | $526,170 |
| New Hampshire | $516,230 |
| Maryland | $442,210 |
| Delaware | $442,120 |
| Wisconsin | $440,710 |
| Illinois | $435,750 |
| Tennessee | $433,630 |
| Iowa | $424,970 |
| Arkansas | $422,060 |
Related jobs in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $139,520 | $67.08 |
| Physicians, All Other | $323,050 | $155.31 |
| Pharmacist | $165,130 | $79.39 |
| Physical Therapist | $113,850 | $54.74 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $163,860 | $78.78 |
| Dental Hygienist | $123,790 | $59.52 |
| Dentists, General | $158,160 | $76.04 |
| Occupational Therapist | $121,680 | $58.50 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $119,690 | $57.55 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $105,040 | $50.50 |
| Physician Assistant | $165,160 | $79.41 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $295,530 | $142.08 |
| Veterinarian | $159,750 | $76.80 |
| Chiropractor | $51,990 | $25.00 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1213. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dermatologist make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The median salary for dermatologists in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $233,370 a year, or $112.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $558,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dermatologists make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The top 10% of dermatologists in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn at least $558,920 a year. The top 25% earn $558,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for dermatologists in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,630 a year, and a quarter of dermatologists earn $93,140 or less.