Prevailing Wage for Dermatologists
Prevailing wage for Dermatologists is set by DOL under SOC 29-1213 and applies to every sponsored position, whether the employer is filing for a Board Certified Dermatologist, a Dermatologist MD, or a Dermatologist Physician. DOL publishes four experience levels, and the wage floor shifts significantly by metro, reflecting regional labor market surveys.
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Level 1 applies to entry-level dermatologists new to independent practice, typically completing their first sponsored role after residency or fellowship. DOL expects limited independent judgment, close supervision, and a narrow scope confined to routine dermatological cases.
Level 2 is the most common filing level for dermatologists. It covers qualified practitioners who handle a full range of standard cases with moderate autonomy. Employers sponsoring a board-certified dermatologist in a standard clinical position typically file here.
Level 3 covers experienced dermatologists who manage complex cases, supervise residents or mid-level providers, or carry subspecialty responsibilities such as dermatopathology. DOL expects demonstrated independent judgment and a meaningful breadth of clinical experience.
Level 4 applies to fully competent senior dermatologists in lead clinical, academic, or administrative roles. These practitioners set departmental standards, direct programs, or carry institutional leadership responsibilities well beyond routine patient care.
Prevailing Wage for Dermatologists by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Dermatologists and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
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Verify your subspecialty does not trigger a different SOC
Dermatopathologists are sometimes filed under pathology SOC codes rather than 29-1213, which changes the prevailing wage floor entirely. Confirm your offer letter and LCA both reference SOC 29-1213 before signing.
Exclude productivity bonuses when assessing the floor
Dermatology compensation often includes wRVU-based production bonuses. DOL prevailing wage compliance depends on the guaranteed base salary alone. Production bonuses, signing bonuses, and malpractice allowances do not count toward the floor.
Weigh the wide metro spread before choosing a worksite
Top-paying markets for this occupation significantly outpace lower-paying metros. Because the LCA must list your actual worksite, accepting a lower-paying market to join a desirable practice can leave your salary well below what you would clear elsewhere.
Use Migrate Mate to find employers with dermatology sponsorship history
Private dermatology groups and hospital systems vary sharply in sponsorship willingness. Migrate Mate shows which employers have actually sponsored dermatologist roles before, so you can focus outreach on practices already familiar with the LCA and H-1B process.
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Find Jobs for DermatologistsPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 29-1213.00 alongside Dermatologists, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Board Certified Dermatologist Prevailing Wage
Board Certified Dermatologist Prevailing Wage
Board Certified Dermatologist positions fall under SOC 29-1213.00 (Dermatologists). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Dermatologist MD (Dermatologist Medical Doctor) Prevailing Wage
Dermatologist MD (Dermatologist Medical Doctor) Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Dermatologist MD (Dermatologist Medical Doctor) for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 29-1213.00 (Dermatologists). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Dermatologist Physician Prevailing Wage
Dermatologist Physician Prevailing Wage
Dermatologist Physician is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 29-1213.00 (Dermatologists). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Dermatopathologist Prevailing Wage
Dermatopathologist Prevailing Wage
Dermatopathologist positions fall under SOC 29-1213.00 (Dermatologists). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Doctor Prevailing Wage
Doctor Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Doctor for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 29-1213.00 (Dermatologists). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
MD (Medical Doctor) Prevailing Wage
MD (Medical Doctor) Prevailing Wage
MD (Medical Doctor) is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 29-1213.00 (Dermatologists). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Mohs Micrographic Surgeon Prevailing Wage
Mohs Micrographic Surgeon Prevailing Wage
Mohs Micrographic Surgeon positions fall under SOC 29-1213.00 (Dermatologists). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Mohs Surgeon Prevailing Wage
Mohs Surgeon Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Mohs Surgeon for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 29-1213.00 (Dermatologists). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Pediatric Dermatologist Prevailing Wage
Pediatric Dermatologist Prevailing Wage
Pediatric Dermatologist is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 29-1213.00 (Dermatologists). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Practicing Dermatologist Prevailing Wage
Practicing Dermatologist Prevailing Wage
Practicing Dermatologist positions fall under SOC 29-1213.00 (Dermatologists). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for dermatologists?
DOL uses Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics across hundreds of metro areas. For each area, DOL calculates four wage levels based on the distribution of reported wages for SOC 29-1213. The Office of Foreign Labor Certification then publishes those figures in the OFLC Wage Search database, which employers must use when filing a Labor Condition Application.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to my offer?
DOL assigns levels based on experience, supervision, and job complexity. Level 1 is for entry-level practitioners under close supervision. Level 2 covers qualified independent practitioners and is the most common filing level for this occupation. Level 3 reflects experienced clinicians with subspecialty or supervisory duties. Level 4 is reserved for senior or program-leadership roles. Your employer selects the level when filing the LCA, and it must match your actual job duties.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same dermatologist role vary so much by city?
DOL derives wages from regional OES surveys, so each metro's floor reflects local labor market conditions. Dense employer markets with high costs of living set higher floors than smaller or lower-cost metros. Critically, the LCA must list the specific worksite address, so the wage floor is tied to where you physically work, not where your employer is headquartered. Moving between worksites mid-visa can require a new LCA at the new location's prevailing wage.
What happens if my offer is below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
An employer cannot file a compliant LCA unless the offered wage meets or exceeds the applicable prevailing wage for the worksite. If the offer falls short, USCIS will not approve the H-1B or PERM petition. Employers who certify an incorrect wage can face OFLC audits, back-wage liability, and debarment from future sponsorship. For the candidate, an underpaid offer is a direct barrier to visa approval, not just a negotiation issue.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for a dermatologist role at a specific U.S. location?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool and select SOC code 29-1213 along with the relevant metro area. The result shows all four wage levels for that location. Cross-check the wage level your employer selected on the LCA against your actual job duties. You can also review the O*NET profile for SOC 29-1213 to confirm the occupation description matches your role. Migrate Mate surfaces employers with documented sponsorship history for dermatologist positions, helping you identify which practices have navigated this process before.
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