Will AI replace dermatologists?
Unlikely. Most of the work is hard for today's AI to speed up. Dermatologists score 38 out of 100 (moderate exposure), #437 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 14 of the job's 18 tasks, 0 of them on its own, while 4 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.
Which dermatologists tasks can AI do?
The most exposed tasks include "Conduct complete skin examinations"; "Diagnose and treat pigmented lesions such as common acquired nevi, congenital nevi, dysplastic nevi, Spitz nevi, blue nevi, or melanoma"; "Counsel patients on topics such as the need for annual dermatologic screenings, sun protection, skin cancer awareness, or skin and lymph node self-examinations".
Which dermatologists tasks are hardest for AI?
Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Perform incisional biopsies to diagnose melanoma"; "Perform skin surgery to improve appearance, make early diagnoses, or control diseases such as skin cancer"; "Provide therapies such as intralesional steroids, chemical peels, or comodo removal to treat age spots, sun damage, rough skin, discolored skin, or oily skin".
Are people already using AI for this work?
Yes. In April–May 2026, 2 of the 18 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.
How many people work as dermatologists, and what do they earn?
About 11,370 people in the US, with median pay of $328,730 a year (BLS, May 2025).