Mostly Resilient
Last Update: 6/19/2026
AI Resilience Score for Dermatologists:
60.7%
Median Score
Meaningful human contribution
Measures the parts of the occupation that still require a human touch. This score averages data from up to four AI exposure datasets, focusing on the role’s resilience against automation.
Med
Long-term employer demand
Predicts the health of the job market for this role through 2034. Using Bureau of Labor Statistics data, it balances projected annual job openings (60%) with overall employment growth (40%).
Med
Sustained economic opportunity
Measures future earning potential and career flexibility. This score is a blend of total projected labor income (67%) and the role’s inherent ability to adapt to economic and technological shifts (33%).
High
This reflects the reliability of your score based on the number of data sources available for this career and how closely those sources agree on the outlook. A higher confidence means more consistent evidence from labor experts and AI models.
There are a reasonable number of sources for this result, but there is some disagreement between them.
Contributing sources
AI Resilience Report forDermatologists
>$239,200 median salary•400 annual openings•SOC Code: 29-1213.00
Dermatologists are somewhat more resilient to AI impacts than most occupations, according to our analysis of 6 sources.
Dermatology is labeled "Mostly Resilient" because AI is stepping in as a helper, not a replacement. Tools like AI image scanners and ambient scribes are taking over repetitive tasks like paperwork and initial image screening, but the hands-on skills that define the job (performing biopsies, building patient trust, and making nuanced clinical calls) remain firmly human.
Learn more about how you can thrive in this position
View analysis
Chat with Coach
Latest news
More career infoAnalysisChatNewsMoreLearn more about how you can thrive in this position
View analysisChat with CoachLatest newsMore career infoAnalysisChatNewsMoreThis role is mostly resilient
Dermatology is labeled "Mostly Resilient" because AI is stepping in as a helper, not a replacement. Tools like AI image scanners and ambient scribes are taking over repetitive tasks like paperwork and initial image screening, but the hands-on skills that define the job (performing biopsies, building patient trust, and making nuanced clinical calls) remain firmly human.
Read full analysisAnalysis of Current AI Resilience
Dermatologists
Updated Quarterly
How is AI changing Dermatologists jobs?
The good news for anyone considering dermatology: AI is mostly working alongside dermatologists, not replacing them. A recent review covered by Practical Dermatology found that deep-learning models can grade acne, vitiligo, pigmented lesions, and melasma with over 90% accuracy in controlled datasets [1], but the authors stressed that AI is "unlikely to supplant dermatologists, but rather supplement their work." On the diagnostic side, the FDA cleared DermaSensor in early 2024 as the first AI-powered handheld device for detecting all three common skin cancers in primary care settings [2], and a 2026 Swedish study covered by ScienceDaily showed that advanced AI models flagged melanoma risk with about 73% accuracy using routine registry data, beating age-and-sex baselines [3]. Newer tools target other core tasks too: a prospective study in the British Journal of Dermatology tested a smartphone AI app for skin-cancer triage [4], and SquareMind raised $18 million in April 2026 to scale its robotic Swan system for full-body skin imaging [5].
Ambient AI scribes are also chipping away at the most automatable task—recording patient histories.
Sources
How fast is AI adoption growing for Dermatologists?
Adoption is moving quickly for paperwork and image triage, but more cautiously for diagnosis. Dermatology Times notes that ethical questions around accountability, bias, and consent are slowing full integration [6], and a JMIR Dermatology review found patients are hesitant to accept AI diagnoses without a dermatologist involved, demanding oversight and transparency [7]. Push factors—long appointment waits, rising skin-cancer rates, and tools now reimbursable or FDA-cleared—are powerful, but biopsy skills, hands-on procedures, and patient trust remain firmly human.
For students, that means dermatology is being reshaped, not erased: the dermatologists who thrive will be the ones who learn to work with these tools.
Sources
Will AI replace Dermatologists?
No. We don't think AI will replace Dermatologists, though we do expect the job to change.
Dermatology earns a 60.7% AI Resilience Score from us, and the evidence backs that up. AI is already doing real work here: deep-learning models can grade skin conditions like acne and melanoma with high accuracy in controlled settings [1], and the FDA cleared an AI-powered handheld device for skin cancer detection in primary care in early 2024 [2]. Ambient scribes are handling note-taking, and full-body imaging robots are attracting serious investment [5]. These tools are genuinely useful, and they are changing how the job works day to day.
But replacing a dermatologist is a different thing entirely. Biopsies, procedures, and the hands-on physical exam still need a human. So does patient trust: research shows patients are reluctant to accept AI diagnoses without a dermatologist involved and actively want oversight [7]. Ethical and accountability questions are also slowing how fast clinics can fully integrate these tools [6].
The economic picture for dermatologists stays strong, which tells us demand for human expertise is not going away. The dermatologists who do best will be the ones who treat AI as a capable assistant, not a competitor.
Sources
Help us improve this report.
Tell us if this analysis feels accurate or we missed something.
Share your feedback
Latest AI news for Dermatologists
These articles highlight the evolving role of AI in dermatology, emphasizing both the potential and challenges for future dermatologists. For instance, while AI shows promise in detecting melanoma, studies indicate that experienced dermatologists still outperform AI in real-world scenarios, underscoring the importance of clinical experience. Moreover, issues of dataset transparency raise critical questions about AI reliability, urging students to prioritize ethical practices. Embracing AI can enhance diagnostic capabilities, but developing strong foundational skills will ensure resilience and adaptability in this changing field.
Experienced dermatologists outperform AI in real-world skin cancer diagnosis
www.managedhealthcareexecutive.com • 6/13/2026
Artificial intelligence models matched mid-career dermatologists but trailed seasoned experts in diagnosing skin lesions across real-world...
AI Holds Promise in Dermatology, Issues Remain to be Addressed
www.medscape.com • 4/21/2026
The potential benefits and pitfalls of this rapidly evolving technology for dermatologists are debated at AAD 2026.
Melanoma: AI shows promise, but real-world use raises questions
www.medicalnewstoday.com • 4/9/2026
A new study suggests that AI performs on par with dermatologists in melanoma detection. However, dermatologists assisted by AI performed...
Improving dataset transparency in dermatologic Artificial Intelligence using a dataset nutrition label
www.nature.com • 11/5/2025
Biased and poorly documented dermatology datasets pose risks to the development of safe and generalizable artificial intelligence (AI) tools...
Navigating the AI tide: challenges, opportunities, and future directions for early-career dermatologists
www.frontiersin.org • 9/19/2025
Artificial intelligence (AI) has demonstrated diagnostic accuracy comparable to dermatologists in specific tasks (e.g., 92.5% vs.
More Career Info
Career: Dermatologists
They help people with skin issues by examining their skin, diagnosing problems like acne or rashes, and providing treatments to improve skin health.
Parent Careers
Similar Careers
Employment & Wage Data
Median Wage
>=$239,200
Jobs (2024)
10,900
Growth (2024-34)
+6.4%
Annual Openings
400
Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Experience
None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2024-2034
Task-Level AI Resilience Scores
AI-generated estimates of task resilience over the next 3 years
1
Instruct interns or residents in diagnosis and treatment of dermatological diseases.
2
Perform incisional biopsies to diagnose melanoma.
3
Provide liposuction treatment to patients.
4
Prescribe hormonal agents or topical treatments such as contraceptives, spironolactone, antiandrogens, oral corticosteroids, retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, and antibiotics.
5
Provide dermatologic consultation to other health professionals.
6
Conduct clinical or basic research.
7
Evaluate patients to determine eligibility for cosmetic procedures such as liposuction, laser resurfacing, and microdermabrasion.
Tasks are ranked by their AI resilience, with the most resilient tasks shown first. Core tasks are essential functions of this occupation, while supplemental tasks provide additional context.
