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Salary comparison

Dermatologists vs. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses: Who Earns More?

Dermatologists out-earn Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses by $264K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Dermatologists land at $328,730 and Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses at $64,400. The education gap is real: dermatologist programs typically require doctoral or professional degree, while licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse programs require postsecondary nondegree award. Top-paying state for Dermatologists is Minnesota ($625,790); for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses it's Washington ($83,150).

Dermatologists
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Median salary
$328,730
$64,400
Hourly rate
$158.04/hr
$30.96/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$102,810
$49,740
Senior level (90th %)
$578,560
$83,440
Education required
Doctoral or professional degree
Postsecondary nondegree award
U.S. employment
11,370
648,410
Job growth (10-year)
6.4%
2.6%
Category
Healthcare
Healthcare
Top-paying state
Minnesota
Washington

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Dermatologists median pay.

State
Dermatologists
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Washington
$526,170
$83,150
New Hampshire
$516,230
$77,110
Maryland
$442,210
$74,660
Delaware
$442,120
$68,710
Wisconsin
$440,710
$63,760
Illinois
$435,750
$75,000
Nevada
$419,410
$76,160
Michigan
$414,910
$65,460
Colorado
$398,810
$73,880
New York
$374,010
$67,180
Idaho
$281,920
$63,800
Virginia
$280,060
$64,920
Arizona
$233,270
$77,070
Indiana
$225,200
$65,720
Connecticut
$165,040
$73,690

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Dermatologists or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?

Dermatologists earn more nationally. The median is $328,730 for Dermatologists versus $64,400 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, a difference of $264K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Dermatologists or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?

Dermatologists has the better 10-year outlook at 6.4% projected growth, compared to 2.6% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Dermatologists or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?

Dermatologists typically requires doctoral or professional degree. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses requires postsecondary nondegree award. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Dermatologists get paid the most?

Minnesota is the top-paying state for Dermatologists at $625,790/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Dermatologists vs. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Dermatologists earn $526,170 vs. $83,150 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Dermatologists salary breakdownView →Full Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary breakdownView →Best cities for Dermatologists by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses by take-home payExplore →How to become a dermatologistsGuide →How to become a licensed practical and licensed vocational nursesGuide →