Salary Levels by Experience
| Experience Level | Salary Range | Est. Annual Net |
|---|---|---|
| Resident (PGY) | $57,000–$78,000 | ~$53,273 |
| Junior Attending | $278,000–$365,000 | ~$201,835 |
| Senior Attending | $361,000–$452,000 | ~$246,556 |
| Partner / Academic Chief | $444,000–$609,000 | ~$308,227 |
Tax Breakdown at $344,000 (Bi-Weekly)
| Component | Per Paycheck | Annual | % of Gross |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Pay | $13,230.77 | $344,000 | 100% |
| Federal Income Tax | −$3,257.58 | −$84,697 | 24.6% |
| CA State Income Tax | −$1,087.04 | −$28,263 | 8.2% |
| FICA (SS + Medicare) | −$661.62 | −$17,202 | 5.0% |
| Net Take-Home | $8,225 | ~$213,837 | 62.2% |
What Drives Dermatologist Pay in San Diego
Dermatologists in New York City are among the most in-demand and well-compensated physicians in the region, serving a culturally fashion-conscious population with both medical and cosmetic skin care needs. Manhattan in particular supports a thriving cosmetic dermatology market that allows savvy practitioners to generate income well above typical medical dermatology benchmarks.
Cosmetic procedures — including Botox, filler, laser treatments, and body contouring — are entirely cash-pay and can dramatically increase a dermatologist's revenue beyond what insurance-based medical dermatology alone provides. Mohs surgeons earn a premium over general dermatologists due to the technical complexity and high volume of skin cancer excisions in NYC's aging population. Academic dermatology at NYU or Columbia offers research prestige but typically pays 20–30% below private practice.
- Cosmetic procedure volume and cash-pay services
- Mohs surgery certification and surgical volume
- Academic vs. private practice setting
- Practice location (Manhattan premium vs. outer boroughs)
Top San Diego Employers
Major employers hiring dermatologists in San Diego include: UC San Diego Health, Sharp HealthCare, Scripps Health, Rady Children's.
Tax note: A dermatologist earning $395,000 in NYC faces a top combined marginal rate exceeding 50%, making tax planning strategies — including practice entity structuring, solo 401(k) contributions, and deferred compensation — essential components of financial management.
Frequently Asked Questions
A dermatologist earning $344,000 in San Diego takes home approximately $213,837 per year, or $8,225 per bi-weekly paycheck, after all taxes. The effective tax rate is 37.8%.
San Diego dermatologist salaries range from $57,000–$78,000 at entry level to $444,000–$609,000 for senior professionals. The median mid-career salary is approximately $344,000.
Dermatology is consistently among the most competitive specialties in the NRMP match — San Diego programs at NYU, Columbia, and Weill Cornell receive hundreds of applications for 3–6 spots annually, and most successful applicants have near-perfect board scores, research publications, and strong connections to the field.
Calculate Your San Diego Take-Home
Enter your exact salary to see your precise after-tax paycheck.
Open San Diego Calculator →