Are you in the process of hiring a dermatologist assistant? If so, you might be struggling to determine the right salary to pay your new employee. You've looked online and found various salaries for the current job market, which can be confusing. So how do you know what the average dermatologist assistant salary is?
On top of that, many factors affect the salary of a dermatologist assistant. The location, the type of practice, and the assistant's skill level are a few factors.
Below, we explore the average dermatologist assistant salary and talk about the factors that affect this range. By the end, you'll have a good understanding of how to set compensation for your new assistant.
What is the average dermatologist assistant salary?
The average salary of a dermatologist assistant in the US is $77 per hour. However, 52% of the professionals earn $9 to $26 per hour.
The difference in salaries dermatologist assistants earn is due to several factors. These include experience, education, and geographic location.
Those who have recently completed their training may start at the lower salary range. Meanwhile, those with experience may earn closer to the upper end of the spectrum.
Likewise, dermatologist assistants who have completed a postsecondary education program and have earned a certification may also make more than those who have not.
Geographic location is another factor affecting earnings. Assistants in metropolitan areas earn more than those in smaller towns or rural areas.
ZipRecruiter data shows that the highest salary for dermatologist assistants is in San Mateo, CA. The professionals in the state earn $194,113 per year on average. This translates to $93.32 per hour.
Other high-paying cities include Daly City, Berkeley, Green River, and Richmond.
To learn more about how Hello Rache can help your medical practice save time and money with qualified virtual assistants, book a call with our team.
How does a dermatologist assistant salary change with experience level?
Like any other career, experience affects the salary of a dermatologist assistant. The average salary for an entry-level dermatologist assistant is 8% lower than the national average.
Most entry-level dermatology assistants only provide primary patient care. They may help with administrative tasks, but their primary responsibility is caring for the patients at the facility.
When they reach their mid-career, dermatologist assistants earn 7% higher than the national average. By then, they have acquired skills, such as performing diagnostic tests and biopsies. They may also be responsible for managing the medical records of patients.
Experienced dermatologist assistants earn 12% higher than the national average. They can now take on more responsibilities, such as teaching and research. They can also command a higher salary due to their experience and expertise.
The most experienced dermatologist assistants — those with 20+ years of experience — can make up to $125,000 a year, which is 27% higher than the national average.
At this level, these professionals can be responsible for managing a team of staff and providing high-level patient care. They may also be involved in administrative tasks, such as developing policies and procedures.
Plus, these assistants can help train new employees. For example, they can mentor junior assistants to show them the ropes and help them develop their skills.
You can decide how experienced you want your assistant to be. Do you only want them to manage appointments? Or should they be able to help with patient care too?
Entry-level assistants do well in basic positions. But if you need someone with more experience, you may have to pay a little extra.
Most common employee benefits for dermatology assistants
Most dermatology assistants also get benefits other than salary. Examples include paid days off, health insurance, and retirement plans. The most common employee benefits are:
Paid time off
Employees who work in stressful environments need time to relax and rejuvenate. Therefore, most dermatology assistant positions come with paid vacation days, holidays, and sick days.
Health insurance
Health insurance is a standard benefit companies offer to keep employees healthy and productive. In this way, employees can get the care they need without worrying about the cost.
Dental insurance
Most employers also offer dental insurance to help employees cover the cost of dental care.
Tuition reimbursement
When an employer offers to reimburse an employee for taking courses related to their job, it is usually a sign that they are committed to the employee's development.
Education assistance
Education assistance involves paying for an employee's education, whether for a degree or professional certification.
Professional development
Professional development for a dermatologist assistant could include paid time to attend conferences, take classes, or get additional training.
Retirement plans
Many employers offer retirement plans to help employees save for the future. The retirement plans differ across organizations. Examples include a 401k or Roth IRA.
As a small dermatology practice, you might not be able to offer a handsome retirement plan. But if you have the finances for it, don’t miss out on this opportunity to retain employees.
Commuter assistance
Commuter assistance refers to the benefit some employers offer to help employees with the cost of transportation, such as public transit or parking.
When you hire a dermatology assistant, you can offer them a competitive salary and benefits package. It will help you meet their needs and retain the best employees.
If you run a small practice, you might not be able to offer extensive benefits. However, you can still show appreciation for your employees by providing a well-rounded package with some of the most popular benefits.
Which skills can dermatologist assistants hone to earn a higher salary?
When looking for a dermatologist assistant for your practice, you should remember that professionals with specific skills will command a higher salary since their additional skills are in demand.
Some of these skills include:
- Diagnosis and treatment planning: Dermatologist assistants who can diagnose skin conditions and create treatment plans are in high demand. This includes performing basic diagnostic tests, such as skin biopsies. They also know when to refer patients to a dermatologist for further evaluation.
- Prescription administration: A dermatology assistant may have to ensure patients receive their medications. This includes counting pills, labeling bottles, and scheduling deliveries. Assistants with this skill are valuable for a dermatology practice. They may earn more than general assistants.
- Medicine: If a dermatology assistant gets training in a particular type of medicine, they may be able to dispense it to patients. For example, they could give injections and other treatments.
- Surgery: In a dermatology practice, surgeries include biopsies, Mohs surgery, and other procedures. A dermatology assistant may prep the patient and the surgical area.
How to calculate a dermatologist assistant salary for your practice
By now, you know that different factors can affect the dermatologist assistant salary. When hiring a dermatology assistant, you must ensure you're offering them a competitive salary.
How do you calculate a competitive dermatologist assistant's salary? Consider your region's cost of living and the average wage for medical assistants.
You should also consider the experience of your dermatology assistant and whether they have any specialized training. The best method for calculating your employees' salary is the market benchmark method.
For instance, suppose your medical practice is in California. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that medical assistants earn an average of $44,780 in the state.
Now, you can adjust the salary based on the following factors:
- Size of your practice
- Average patient load
- Number of years of experience your dermatology assistant has.
For example, if you have a small practice with a low patient load, you may offer a salary of $30,000. But, if you have a large practice with a high patient load, you could increase the salary to $50,000.
Why might it be cheaper to hire a virtual dermatologist assistant?
Hiring a virtual assistant may be more cost-effective if you only require an assistant for administrative tasks. Examples of these tasks are scheduling appointments and managing your finances.
You will not need to provide this person with office space or other benefits, such as commuter assistance.
Plus, you can work with a virtual assistant from anywhere in the world, which gives you access to a larger pool of applicants.
Dermatologists who hire virtual assistants can free up more time to see patients. Thus, they can focus on other essential aspects of their practice.
You can also use a virtual assistant for other aspects of your practice. For example, you can get them to manage your social media accounts or blog. This can help you connect with new patients and market your practice.
Hire a virtual dermatology assistant from Hello Rache today
Do you need an extra hand with your office tasks, like medical billing? Or do you want to hire someone for healthcare marketing? A virtual assistant can do it all. Since there's no overhead cost associated with hiring a virtual assistant, it's a great way to save money.
Plus, you can save time and get more done regarding patient care. You will not have to spend time on administrative tasks.
Are you considering hiring a virtual dermatology assistant? Schedule a consultation with Hello Rache today to hire HIPAA-compliant and well-trained virtual assistants for your medical practice.
