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Skin therapist vs dermatologist

The differences between skin therapists and dermatologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a dermatologist has an average salary of $407,715, which is higher than the $29,682 average annual salary of a skin therapist.

The top three skills for a skin therapist include booking, product knowledge and skin care products. The most important skills for a dermatologist are patients, mohs, and patient care.

Skin therapist vs dermatologist overview

Skin TherapistDermatologist
Yearly salary$29,682$407,715
Hourly rate$14.27$196.02
Growth rate17%7%
Number of jobs17,6831,834
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 32%Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Average age3548
Years of experience-4

What does a skin therapist do?

A skin therapist is a licensed professional who specializes in recommending and implementing treatments to improve skin health. Their responsibilities revolve around meeting with clients to identify their needs and skin conditions, conduct assessments and evaluations, suggest skincare products, and perform treatments such as hair removal, facial cleansing, and other techniques, ensuring client satisfaction. There are also instances where they may refer clients to dermatologists and other specialists. Moreover, a skin therapist must establish rapport with clients to have a strong customer base.

What does a dermatologist do?

A dermatologist is a physician with expertise in diagnosing and treating skin, nail, and hair problems such as rashes and acne. Their responsibilities include conducting initial assessments and examinations, offering consultations and advice, studying a patient's medical histories, and performing non-invasive procedures as needed. They may also prescribe medication and various services, referring patients to other specialists as necessary. Furthermore, as a dermatologist, it is essential to discuss skin conditions and the extent of treatments to patients, helping them learn different care procedures.

Skin therapist vs dermatologist salary

Skin therapists and dermatologists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Skin TherapistDermatologist
Average salary$29,682$407,715
Salary rangeBetween $20,000 And $42,000Between $202,000 And $820,000
Highest paying City-Grand Forks, ND
Highest paying state-North Dakota
Best paying company-Allina Health
Best paying industry-Pharmaceutical

Differences between skin therapist and dermatologist education

There are a few differences between a skin therapist and a dermatologist in terms of educational background:

Skin TherapistDermatologist
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 32%Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Most common majorCosmetologyBusiness
Most common college-University of Virginia

Skin therapist vs dermatologist demographics

Here are the differences between skin therapists' and dermatologists' demographics:

Skin TherapistDermatologist
Average age3548
Gender ratioMale, 7.4% Female, 92.6%Male, 14.5% Female, 85.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.1% Unknown, 6.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 8.7% White, 63.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 5.3% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 10.0% Asian, 18.4% White, 61.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage9%13%

Differences between skin therapist and dermatologist duties and responsibilities

Skin therapist example responsibilities.

  • Provide direct assistance to patients in residential and intensive outpatient eating disorder programs.
  • Evaluate skin condition, budget, nutrition, possible allergies, and concerns to craft ideal plan for each customer.
  • Complete client record forms for each client including information such as treatments, procedures used, particular problems and or allergies.
  • Promote for companies that include Chanel, Donna Karan, Vera Wang, and Calvin Klein.

Dermatologist example responsibilities.

  • Manage all incoming medical records requests (ensuring office is within HIPPA guidelines).
  • Enter patient information into EMR.
  • Maintain OSHA logs on all equipment.
  • suture removal, assist in MOHS surgery.
  • Scrub multiple hospital procedures (facelifts, liposuction, augmentations, facial reconstructive surgery, breast reconstructive surgery . )
  • Keep medical histories and interview patients to procure or verify information.
  • Show more

Skin therapist vs dermatologist skills

Common skin therapist skills
  • Booking, 38%
  • Product Knowledge, 29%
  • Skin Care Products, 6%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Facial Treatments, 6%
  • Hair Removal, 2%
Common dermatologist skills
  • Patients, 34%
  • Mohs, 26%
  • Patient Care, 13%
  • EMR, 9%
  • Private Practice, 2%
  • Medical Assistants, 2%

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