Dermatologists
Machines can already do 20% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 41%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Dermatologists in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 20% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2039, and 41% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 11,370 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $328,730 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 94% for contact with people.
- Also called: Board Certified Dermatologist, Dermatologist MD (Dermatologist Medical Doctor), Dermatologist Physician, Dermatopathologist.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diagnose and treat skin conditions such as acne, dandruff, athlete's foot, moles, psoriasis, or skin cancer | 16% | 3% to 25% | |
| Conduct complete skin examinations | 11% | 3% to 25% | |
| Perform skin surgery to improve appearance, make early diagnoses, or control diseases such as skin cancer | 11% | 3% to 25% | |
| Record patients' health histories | 10% | 64% to 81% | |
| Diagnose and treat pigmented lesions such as common acquired nevi, congenital nevi, dysplastic nevi, Spitz nevi, blue nevi, or melanoma | 8% | 3% to 25% | |
| Counsel patients on topics such as the need for annual dermatologic screenings, sun protection, skin cancer awareness, or skin and lymph node self-examinations | 7% | 32% to 50% | |
| Prescribe hormonal agents or topical treatments such as contraceptives, spironolactone, antiandrogens, oral corticosteroids, retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, or antibiotics | 6% | 45% to 72% | |
| Perform incisional biopsies to diagnose melanoma | 5% | 3% to 25% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills dermatologists use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric37% of tasks by 2035 · US median $300,080
- Veterinarians36% of tasks by 2035 · US median $130,100
- Podiatrists36% of tasks by 2035 · US median $160,300
- Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric38% of tasks by 2035 · US median $358,550
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Dermatologists?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2039. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of dermatologists?
Machines can do 20% of the tasks of dermatologists today and 41% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 29-1213.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Dermatologists: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/dermatologists/