If you are considering a career in dermatology, you may be asking, “How much do Mohs surgeons make?” Mohs surgeons are among the higher-paid physicians in the United States, but their income can vary substantially depending on experience, location, practice setting, patient volume, compensation structure, and whether the surgeon owns or partners in a practice.
Current 2026 salary estimates show why it is difficult to give one exact number. Salary.com reports an average U.S. Mohs surgeon salary of about $508,958 per year as of September 2026, with a reported middle range of approximately $334,133 to $643,223. Another 2026 physician compensation source, Marit, reports total compensation of about $665,226, including base pay, bonuses, and other income.
These numbers should be treated as estimates rather than guaranteed earnings. Mohs surgeons can have very different compensation packages. A physician working for an academic medical center may earn considerably less in direct compensation than a busy private-practice surgeon, while an experienced practice owner may have income that is not comparable to a simple employee salary.
This guide explains how much Mohs surgeons make in the United States, what affects their income, how their compensation compares with dermatologists, what training is required, and what future physicians should consider before choosing this specialty.
What Is a Mohs Surgeon?
A Mohs surgeon is a physician who specializes in Mohs micrographic surgery, a highly specialized technique used primarily to treat certain skin cancers.
Mohs surgery removes cancerous tissue in stages. After each layer is removed, the tissue is examined under a microscope so the surgeon can determine whether cancer cells remain. Additional tissue is removed only from areas where cancer is still present.
This approach helps the surgeon remove the cancer while preserving as much healthy surrounding tissue as possible. The American College of Mohs Surgery describes Mohs surgery as a specialized combination of skin cancer surgery, microscopic margin examination, and reconstruction.
Mohs surgeons are usually dermatologists who complete additional fellowship training after dermatology residency. U.S. Mohs fellowship programs accredited through the appropriate systems provide specialized training in micrographic surgery, dermatologic oncology, pathology, and reconstruction.
Because Mohs surgery combines procedural work with pathology and reconstruction, the specialty requires a specific set of technical and clinical skills.
How Much Do Mohs Surgeons Make in the United States?
So, how much do Mohs surgeons make in the U.S.?
There is no single official government salary figure specifically for Mohs surgeons. Federal wage data generally classify them within broader physician or dermatologist categories. However, private compensation databases provide more specific estimates.
As of September 2026, Salary.com estimates the average Mohs surgeon salary at approximately $508,958 per year. It reports a 25th-to-75th percentile range of about $334,133 to $643,223, with the 90th percentile reaching approximately $765,464.
Marit’s August 2026 data gives a higher estimate for total compensation, reporting approximately $665,226 for Mohs surgeons across employer types. Its reported average base compensation is about $552,490, with bonuses and other income contributing to total compensation.
These different numbers do not necessarily mean one source is wrong. They measure compensation differently.
For example:
- Salary may refer only to guaranteed base pay.
- Total compensation can include bonuses.
- Production-based compensation may depend on collections or work relative value units.
- Practice owners may receive income from the business in addition to physician compensation.
- Academic physicians may receive lower clinical compensation but have teaching or research responsibilities.
- Geographic markets can create large differences in compensation.
Therefore, a reasonable 2026 takeaway is that many full-time Mohs surgeons earn several hundred thousand dollars annually, while highly productive physicians in favorable practice settings can earn substantially more.
Also Read:How Much Does an Appointment With a Dermatologist Cost? A Complete U.S. Guide
What Is the Average Mohs Surgeon Salary in 2026?
Current compensation sources give different averages, so it is useful to look at several figures rather than rely on one number.
Salary.com lists approximately $508,958 as its 2026 average Mohs surgeon salary. Its reported 25th percentile is about $334,133 and its 75th percentile is about $643,223.
Marit reports approximately $665,226 in total compensation for 2026, with an estimated base of $552,490. It also reports average bonuses of about $92,873 among the physicians included in its dataset, although not every physician receives a bonus.
Another smaller physician salary dataset, SalaryDr, reports a 2026 median of approximately $680,000 and an average of about $659,533 for Mohs surgery dermatologists. However, it is based on a relatively small number of physician submissions, so it should not be treated as a national definitive salary figure.
For context, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a median annual wage of $275,930 for physicians and surgeons overall in May 2025. Within its physician and surgeon categories, dermatologists had a mean annual wage of $328,730. These broader government figures are not Mohs-specific and therefore should not be confused with Mohs surgeon compensation estimates.
The difference between general dermatologist compensation and Mohs-specific compensation illustrates an important point: procedure mix and practice structure can have a major effect on physician earnings.
Mohs Surgeon Salary Range: From Entry Level to Experienced
Mohs surgeons do not all start at the same compensation level.
A newly trained Mohs surgeon may receive a guaranteed salary while building a referral network and developing an efficient clinical workflow. An experienced surgeon with a strong patient base may have a larger production-based component.
Salary.com estimates that its Mohs surgeon compensation rises from roughly $468,821 for entry-level physicians to about $524,395 for professionals with more than eight years of experience.
These figures demonstrate a useful distinction: years of experience can matter, but experience alone does not determine income.
An experienced surgeon working in a low-volume market may earn less than a newer surgeon who joins a high-volume practice with strong referrals.
Other factors can include:
- Number of surgical cases
- Complexity of cases
- Geographic demand
- Referral relationships
- Practice ownership
- Employee versus partner status
- Compensation formula
- Payer mix
- Operating expenses
- Ancillary services
- Hours worked
- Ability to perform repairs and reconstruction
- Administrative responsibilities
For this reason, physicians comparing job offers should evaluate the entire compensation model rather than focusing only on the advertised salary.
How Much Do Mohs Surgeons Make by State?
Location is one of the most important factors affecting physician compensation.
Salary.com’s September 2026 estimates show substantial differences among states. For example, its estimated annual compensation for Mohs surgeons is approximately $561,381 in California, $553,899 in Massachusetts, $551,863 in Washington, and $541,073 in New York. Texas is estimated at approximately $496,438, while Florida is estimated at approximately $481,576.
These numbers do not mean that a physician will automatically earn more simply by moving to a particular state.
Cost of living also matters.
A $500,000 income in one metropolitan area may have a very different purchasing power from the same income in another area. Housing costs, taxes, insurance, staffing expenses, office rent, and local competition can all affect the practical value of compensation.
Geographic demand is also important. Areas with older populations, high rates of sun exposure, strong dermatology referral networks, or limited access to specialized skin cancer care may create different opportunities for Mohs surgeons.
A physician should therefore compare both gross compensation and the financial conditions of the local market.
What Factors Affect Mohs Surgeon Income?
The answer to “how much do Mohs surgeons make” becomes clearer when the main income drivers are understood.
1. Patient and Procedure Volume
Production is often a major factor.
A surgeon who performs a large number of appropriate Mohs procedures may generate more professional revenue than a physician with a smaller surgical schedule.
However, more cases also require more staff, laboratory support, scheduling capacity, pathology processing, and administrative resources.
2. Compensation Model
Physicians can be paid through different arrangements.
Common structures include:
- Guaranteed base salary
- Base salary plus production bonus
- Percentage of collections
- Work RVU-based compensation
- Partnership compensation
- Practice ownership income
Each model has different financial risks and benefits.
A high production-based offer may provide excellent earning potential but less income stability. A larger guaranteed salary may provide greater predictability but a lower upside.
3. Practice Ownership
Practice ownership can significantly change the financial picture.
An employed surgeon generally receives physician compensation according to an employment contract. An owner or partner may receive physician compensation plus distributions or profits from the practice.
However, ownership also brings expenses and risks.
The owner may be responsible for:
- Employee salaries
- Equipment
- Laboratory operations
- Office rent
- Insurance
- Compliance
- Billing
- Information technology
- Marketing
- Administrative staff
- Business taxes
- Regulatory requirements
Therefore, higher gross practice revenue does not automatically equal higher personal income.
4. Geographic Market
Some markets have more competition among dermatologists and Mohs surgeons, while others have greater unmet demand.
A physician entering an underserved market may have strong opportunities to build a referral base.
On the other hand, a highly saturated market may make it harder for a new surgeon to achieve a large surgical volume.
5. Experience and Reputation
Experience can improve efficiency and clinical confidence.
Over time, a surgeon may also develop relationships with referring dermatologists, primary care physicians, oncologists, and other healthcare professionals.
However, reputation should never be reduced to marketing. In medicine, long-term professional reputation depends on appropriate patient selection, quality care, communication, outcomes, and professional conduct.
How Does Mohs Surgeon Pay Compare With Dermatologist Salary?
Mohs surgeons are dermatologists with additional specialized training, so comparing the two careers can be useful.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a mean annual wage of $328,730 for dermatologists in May 2025. This figure represents dermatologists broadly and does not isolate Mohs surgeons.
Mohs-specific private compensation datasets generally report substantially higher figures than the broad government dermatologist category.
The difference may be related to several factors, including procedural volume, compensation methodology, and the types of work included in the data.
A general dermatologist may spend more time on:
- Medical dermatology
- Acne
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Skin infections
- Skin examinations
- Biopsies
- Cosmetic procedures
- Minor surgeries
A Mohs surgeon may spend a greater share of the workday on skin cancer surgery, microscopic margin examination, and reconstruction.
This does not mean Mohs surgery is automatically the financially superior career for every dermatologist. Some physicians value broader clinical practice, academic work, lifestyle, or other professional goals more than maximizing procedural income.
What Training Is Required to Become a Mohs Surgeon?
Becoming a Mohs surgeon requires a long medical education pathway.
A typical U.S. pathway includes:
- Undergraduate education
- Medical school
- Dermatology residency
- Mohs or Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology fellowship
- Independent practice
The American College of Mohs Surgery states that physicians apply for Mohs fellowship after completing dermatology residency. Qualified applicants undergo a highly competitive selection process for fellowship positions, generally lasting one to two years.
ACMS also reports that its fellowship training includes extensive supervised surgical experience. Its current membership requirements describe a minimum of 650 Mohs surgery cases during approved fellowship training, including specified requirements for complex cases and repairs.
This additional training is important because Mohs surgery is more than simply removing visible skin cancer.
The surgeon must understand tumor behavior, microscopic margin assessment, surgical anatomy, wound repair, complications, and long-term patient care.
How Competitive Is Mohs Fellowship Training?
Mohs fellowship training is highly competitive.
Also Read: What Do They Do at a Dermatology Appointment? A Complete Guide
After dermatology residency, physicians who want to specialize in Mohs surgery must compete for a limited number of fellowship positions.
The American College of Mohs Surgery describes the selection process as extremely competitive. Its fellowship system uses a structured application and match process for participating programs.
This competitiveness is one reason future physicians should not choose the specialty based only on salary.
Applicants should consider whether they genuinely enjoy:
- Skin cancer care
- Surgery
- Pathology
- Microscopic examination
- Reconstruction
- Detailed anatomy
- Repetitive procedural work
- Long-term patient relationships
- Managing surgical complications
Strong financial compensation can be attractive, but the training pathway is demanding and highly selective.
Do Mohs Surgeons Work Long Hours?
Mohs surgery can offer an attractive lifestyle compared with some hospital-based surgical specialties because much of the work is outpatient.
Mohs procedures are generally performed under local anesthesia, and patients typically remain awake during treatment.
However, working conditions vary considerably.
A busy Mohs surgeon may have a demanding schedule involving multiple procedures, microscopic slide review, consultations, wound repairs, follow-up visits, and administrative work.
Marit’s 2026 data estimates an average workload of approximately 40.7 hours per week among the physicians represented in its dataset, although individual schedules can be substantially different.
Some surgeons may work fewer hours but have lower production. Others may work longer days to increase surgical volume.
Lifestyle therefore depends heavily on practice design.
Is Becoming a Mohs Surgeon Worth It Financially?
From a purely compensation perspective, Mohs surgery can be an attractive medical specialty.
Current compensation estimates place many Mohs surgeons in the several-hundred-thousand-dollar income range, with some experienced physicians earning considerably more.
But “worth it” depends on more than income.
A future physician should consider:
- Length of training
- Competition for fellowship
- Educational debt
- Opportunity cost
- Lifestyle
- Clinical interests
- Geographic flexibility
- Practice ownership goals
- Professional satisfaction
- Stress level
- Surgical workload
The additional fellowship also delays full attending-level earnings compared with entering practice immediately after residency.
For someone who genuinely enjoys skin cancer surgery and pathology, that extra training may be highly worthwhile.
For someone interested primarily in income, however, choosing a specialty solely because compensation appears high can be a poor long-term strategy.
What Should You Look for in a Mohs Surgeon Job Offer?
A physician comparing Mohs jobs should look beyond the headline salary.
Important questions include:
Is the salary guaranteed?
Find out how long the guaranteed salary lasts and what happens afterward.
How is the bonus calculated?
Ask whether the bonus is based on collections, work RVUs, net revenue, gross revenue, or another measure.
Is there a productivity threshold?
Some contracts require physicians to reach a specific production level before receiving additional compensation.
Who pays for malpractice insurance?
This can make a significant difference in the value of the employment package.
What are the expected surgical volumes?
A high compensation offer is less useful if the practice cannot provide enough appropriate cases to support the compensation formula.
Is partnership available?
Partnership may create long-term financial opportunities but can also involve significant responsibilities and financial commitments.
What are the call requirements?
Although Mohs is largely outpatient, job responsibilities can differ by practice.
What administrative duties are included?
Some surgeons have extensive leadership or administrative responsibilities that affect their effective hourly compensation.
Reading the full contract and obtaining qualified legal and financial advice can help physicians understand these details before signing.
What Are the Biggest Misconceptions About Mohs Surgeon Salary?
Several misconceptions appear frequently online.
“Every Mohs surgeon makes $1 million.”
Not true.
Current salary estimates show a wide range, and many physicians earn substantially less than $1 million.
“The salary is the same everywhere.”
Not true.
Compensation varies by state, city, practice type, demand, production, and contract structure.
“More procedures always mean more personal income.”
Not necessarily.
Higher volume can increase revenue but also requires additional staffing, laboratory resources, equipment, and administrative support.
“Mohs surgeons only perform simple skin procedures.”
This is an oversimplification.
Mohs surgery requires specialized training in surgical oncology, microscopic margin evaluation, and reconstruction.
“The highest salary is always the best job.”
Not necessarily.
A lower-paying position may offer better hours, stronger benefits, less administrative responsibility, or a better long-term partnership opportunity.
How Reliable Are Online Mohs Surgeon Salary Estimates?
Online salary information should be used carefully.
There is no single federal database that provides a precise national salary for Mohs surgeons as a separate occupation. The Bureau of Labor Statistics places dermatologists within broader physician categories.
Private databases may use:
- Job postings
- Physician surveys
- Compensation submissions
- Employer information
- Statistical modeling
- Self-reported data
These methods can produce different results.
For example, Salary.com estimates an average of about $508,958, while Marit reports total compensation around $665,226. SalaryDr reports a median around $680,000 but uses a much smaller sample.
The best approach is to view multiple sources and focus on ranges rather than one headline number.
For an actual job decision, a physician should also ask the employer for transparent compensation details and compare the offer with reliable physician compensation benchmarks.
How to Think About Mohs Surgeon Earnings as a Career Choice
If you are a medical student or resident researching Mohs surgery, salary should be only one part of the decision.
A better framework is to evaluate the specialty from four angles.
Also Read: What Is Dermatopathologist? Guide to Skin Cancer & Biopsy Diagnosis
Clinical Fit
Do you enjoy dermatology, skin cancer, surgery, pathology, and reconstruction?
Lifestyle Fit
Does outpatient surgical work match the lifestyle you want?
Financial Fit
Are the expected earnings reasonable compared with your educational debt and financial goals?
Career Fit
Do you want private practice, academics, employment, or eventual ownership?
This approach provides a more realistic picture than simply searching for the highest Mohs surgeon salary.
The specialty can provide excellent financial opportunities, but those opportunities come after years of education, dermatology residency, highly competitive fellowship training, and the development of a successful practice.
FAQs
1. Do Mohs surgeons get paid differently for complex cases?
Compensation can vary based on the procedures performed, coding, productivity system, and employment contract. More complex clinical work may generate different reimbursement or production measures, but the exact financial effect depends on the practice and payer environment.
2. Can a Mohs surgeon earn money from owning a dermatology practice?
Yes, a physician who owns or partners in a practice may receive business income in addition to physician compensation. However, ownership also involves operating costs, financial risk, staffing responsibilities, compliance requirements, and other business obligations.
3. Does fellowship training increase a Mohs surgeon’s earning potential?
Specialized fellowship training qualifies physicians for advanced Mohs practice and provides extensive experience in surgery, pathology, and reconstruction. It can support access to Mohs-focused positions, but fellowship completion does not guarantee a particular salary.
4. Are Mohs surgeons paid during fellowship?
Mohs fellowship is postgraduate medical training, and compensation depends on the specific fellowship and employment structure. Applicants should review the individual program’s terms rather than assume that every fellowship provides the same salary or benefits.
5. Can Mohs surgeons work part time?
Yes, some Mohs surgeons work part time or use schedules that combine Mohs surgery with other dermatology responsibilities. Income will generally depend on clinical volume, compensation structure, hours, and the specific employment arrangement.
Conclusion
So, how much do Mohs surgeons make? In the U.S., 2026 estimates generally place Mohs surgeon compensation in the several-hundred-thousand-dollar range, with sources reporting averages or total compensation of about $500,000 to $665,000 per year.
Actual income depends on experience, location, patient volume, practice type, and compensation structure. While Mohs surgery offers strong earning potential, it also requires extensive training and specialized fellowship education.
Ultimately, physicians should consider salary alongside career interests, lifestyle, professional goals, and long-term financial plans.
