When choosing which nursing specialty you’d like to pursue, there are many factors to consider. What type of work are you interested in doing? Where would you like to work, and in what kind of facility? And, of course, how much money can you make?
If you’re considering working as a dermatology nurse, it’s essential to know your earning potential and what factors can impact it. In this post, we’ll go over average dermatology nurse salaries and share some tips to help you make more money in this role.
How Much Can Dermatology Nurses Make?
According to data compiled by Comparably, the average dermatology nurse salary in the United States is $91,153, and the median salary is $84,481.
Dermatology nurses in San Francisco make the most in the country, with an average salary of $137,673.
What Factors Impact Dermatology Nurse Salaries?
Several factors account for the wide range of dermatology nursing salaries, all of which should be accounted for when assessing your earning potential. Let’s look at each.
Your Location
The city and state where you choose to work will significantly impact your salary as a dermatology nurse.
According to Comparably, dermatology nurses in cities like San Francisco, Seattle, and New York often make more than the national average. On the other hand, those in cities like Austin, Phoenix, and Salt Lake City made less than the national average.
In general, larger cities are going to pay more than rural areas since they typically have better budgets and can offer more competitive salaries.
Cost of living is also a factor, as many cities and states with higher wages for dermatology nurses also have higher costs. If you’re open to moving to make more money, it’s always a good idea to compare salaries and the cost of living. These costs include rent, services, groceries, insurance, and gas.
Your Licensure
You can start working in dermatology as a licensed practical nurse (LPN). The median salary for LPNs was $48,070 in 2021, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The next step is to become a registered nurse (RN) since many employers often prefer to hire RNs. RNs made a median salary of $77,600 in 2021.
If you want to become a nurse practitioner (NP) in dermatology, you can go on to get your advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) license. Nurse practitioners made a median salary of $123,780 in 2021.
Your Experience
If you’re a seasoned nurse with fifteen years under your belt in the dermatology niche, you’ll be more likely to be offered a higher salary than someone fresh out of nursing school.
Relevant experience in dermatology, wound care, and plastic surgery could all contribute to valuable knowledge from an employer’s perspective.
Your Certifications
In addition to obtaining your licensure, which is required to work as a nurse, you can also get specialized certifications. You can, for example, receive a Dermatology Nurse Certified (DNC) certification from the Dermatology Nurse’s Association.
Some certifications require at least a year or two of working experience as a dermatology nurse, ensuring that you actually know the information and aren’t just regurgitating what was learned in a book.
Dermatology certifications prove to employers that you’re familiar with unique aspects of the specialty.
