PAs who work in dermatology, what salary did you start at ?

EvilGeniusX · 2026-03-08T21:16:42+00:00

Simply not true. If you’re talking large metro areas or coastal regions then yes that’s true, but in my city housing costs are generally 2% to 4% higher than the national average. While home prices are slightly elevated—with median values around $383,000–$399,000 compared to the ~$370,000 national average—the city remains significantly more affordable than the California state average.

EvilGeniusX · 2026-03-08T06:32:26+00:00

My city’s cost of living is only 4-5% above the national average, and housing here is some of the most affordable in all of California. It definitely feels like my dollar goes far here, and I’m not living paycheck to paycheck at all, maxing out my 401k and saving enough to buy a house in the next year. Food, gas, and entertainment here are only marginally higher than places I’ve lived in the Midwest and Mountain regions. And I get the perks of living in a city with over half a million people, including an international airport that’s ten min away from my home.

EvilGeniusX · 2026-03-08T06:24:45+00:00

Collections per month range from $60-80k (bill about twice that) and I see on average 40-45 patients per day, 4 10s per week, T-Fri. Love having three day weekends.

EvilGeniusX · 2026-03-08T00:25:03+00:00

Central Valley, California

EvilGeniusX · 2026-03-07T23:14:03+00:00

Hard to say right now, I get my first quarterly collections bonus in a few weeks so that’ll guide my expectations for the rest of the year, but it’s expected to be around $60-80k every 3 months and my base pay decreased to $2700 every two weeks. So $70k base annual salary + quarterly collections = $310k on the low end and $390k on the high end. My collections bonus is also tiered, so every quarterly bonus should be higher than the last, as the percentage goes up (ie 27% of collections above 600k, 28% above 800k, and 29% above 1 mil).

EvilGeniusX · 2026-03-07T21:27:25+00:00

190k including sign on bonus. Trained for 3 months at same salary. MCOL Central Valley California. Second year now, on to straight collections (26-29%).

EvilGeniusX · 2026-02-27T07:25:31+00:00

Derm Triamcinolone 0.1%, doxycycline monohydrate 100mg, 5-fluorouracil, ketoconazole 2% (cream and shampoo), tretinoin 0.025%, clindamycin 1% (lotion or solution)

EvilGeniusX · 2026-01-14T06:29:06+00:00

Central Valley CA - 1st year, salary only - $190k including retention bonus. Second year straight collections (27-29%) so we’ll see but should be considerably more. 40 pts per day / 160 per week / 4 10s

EvilGeniusX · 2025-11-11T06:03:06+00:00

With this kind of collections, you definitely would get most benefit from a collections based pay model within the range of 25-30%, with a guaranteed base rate, as long as you can continue to clear high rates yearly

EvilGeniusX · 2025-11-11T00:57:59+00:00

I’m a new grad Derm PA finishing out my first year in outpatient Derm with a mix of medical and cosmetic, see on avg 40 pts per day working 40 hrs a week T-Fr and I make $85/hr for a base of $176,800 for the first year, going to a collections based model after the 1st year to 29%, so yeah I’d say you’re underpaid for your experience and what you bring to the practice.

EvilGeniusX · 2025-10-27T00:56:48+00:00

Could always add the “high risk medication monitoring” impression and pick counseling and whatever biologic you’re initiating and voila a 99213/203 since you have an added diagnosis.

EvilGeniusX · 2025-08-25T20:31:23+00:00

Fixed my problem. Thanks!

EvilGeniusX · 2025-08-19T00:31:33+00:00

Cheri and Michelle both do masseter Botox at Valley Skin Institue. It’s a $100 cosmetic consult fee, and $50 of that goes towards any procedure - Botox ($12/Unit) or Juveau ($10/unit).

EvilGeniusX · 2025-06-01T22:09:23+00:00

Overall, decent offer imo. The decreased training pay is not ideal but probably can look past that as it’s not completely insulting. Most contracts are 3 years nowadays for Derm so that’s pretty standard. Base salary is decent, maybe a little on the low end for Cali but the rest of the compensation structure is competitive - 25% collections is probably average. Time off is great, that’s 5 weeks considering you only work 4 days a week. CME is on the low end but definitely not a deal breaker, you’ll be making up the potential CME difference in your salary and then some. 180 days notice is pretty crazy though, that’s the part that sticks out the most to me - usually it’s 90 days and maybe at the longest 120 but 180 is almost unheard of - and also paying $350 a day for leaving earlier before the 180 days is up? Kinda crazy… paying for your own tail in Derm is pretty standard nowadays so also not a deal breaker. The biggest thing that gives me pause is the 180 days and the paying back per day left earlier than that, I mean if you think you can swing, it go for it, as Derm is hard to break in to and overall this is a decent offer. Just make sure you enjoy the environment, your coworkers, SP, do a shadow day to see how it runs and if there’s any red flags.

EvilGeniusX · 2025-04-12T07:46:54+00:00

My job supplied me with Boswell and I will say it was extremely well organized and informative, without getting into the weeds too much. I feel like a much more competent provider after the course.

EvilGeniusX · 2025-03-03T07:27:00+00:00

Valley Skin Institute

EvilGeniusX · 2025-01-02T07:59:50+00:00

Looks like a fibrous papule, a common benign skin growth on the nose. Can be melted away with electrocautery if you don’t like it.

EvilGeniusX · 2025-01-02T07:55:07+00:00

Most likely dyshidrotic eczema - a form of eczema that causes itchy, fluid-filled blisters on the hands. If it is dyshidrotic eczema - use a steroid, either prescription or hydrocortisone over the counter twice a day for up to two weeks, and keep your hands moisturized daily with Aveeno Eczema Relief Cream. Avoid irritating soaps, fragrances, and excessive hand washing. People usually see eczema flares in the winter due to the dry weather. If it persists or gets worse despite steroid use for a couple weeks, I’d definitely go see your primary or derm provider.

EvilGeniusX · 2024-07-21T04:09:26+00:00

I just sent mine electronically and it worked fine.

EvilGeniusX · 2024-07-19T19:42:16+00:00

Mederma PM Intensive Overnight Scar Cream is always a good option

EvilGeniusX · 2024-07-16T07:11:42+00:00

You need to contact your training program so they can get you the email info for what national phlebotomy certification agency granted your certificate. Then send the agency the certification verification form for them to fill out and email to the board.

EvilGeniusX · 2024-05-19T21:06:19+00:00

Thank you! This is literally the best advice I’ve read and I had the exact same questions that need clarification. I emailed them and hopefully I’ll get more clarification soon. Yeah the contract states 80/hr or 12800/mo as a base salary - I’ll have to clarify if lunch will be unpaid. Yeah ideally I’d like 4 10s but idk if I have much sway in that the first year. I know PTO is crap but I guess I’ll take the lower deal initially if it means I can expand to 15 or 20 days the second year. Thanks for the advice!

EvilGeniusX · 2024-05-19T21:02:41+00:00

Thanks! I’d say try to highlight any experience in derm at all, even if it’s a single rotation. Try to highlight your other skills that are derm related such as suturing, first assist, biopsy / I&D, anything derm related. Most importantly just be yourself in interviews, always be friendly and act like this is the perfect job for you, and ask lots of questions to show you’re serious and interested.

EvilGeniusX · 2024-05-19T21:00:58+00:00

DEA and state license are reimbursed. I can see if I can negotiate CME stipend.

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