Looking for freelance or contract work as a dermatologist in Illinois? Whether you want to supplement your income or transition to independent practice, Illinois offers several high-paying options. Here's how the top opportunities compare.
Dermatologists serve as expert witnesses by reviewing cases, providing testimony on skin-related medical standards, and consulting on malpractice suits or legal matters involving dermatology. Work includes preparing reports and depositions based on case files. Assignments are project-based, often remote.
Malpractice Insurance: No
Illinois notes: Chicago large legal market; Cook County med-mal cases significant volume; Trial testimony $500-700/hr; Deposition $425-575/hr; File review $375-475/hr
Typical start timeline: 4-8 weeks
Involves advising pharmaceutical companies, device manufacturers, or healthcare organizations on dermatology trends, product development, or treatment guidelines. Dermatologists participate in meetings, review data, and provide strategic input. Often short-term engagements or ongoing boards.
Malpractice Insurance: No
Illinois notes: Chicago pharma/biotech hub (AbbVie HQ North Chicago, Takeda); Academic KOLs from Northwestern/U Chicago; Pharma advisory boards $375-550/hr; Expert networks $275-450/hr; AbbVie/Takeda/Baxter nearby drive demand
Typical start timeline: 4-12 weeks
Healthcare AI companies hire dermatologist professionals to review, annotate, and validate training data for medical AI systems. Work involves dermatology image classification and lesion annotation — tasks like skin lesion classification, dermoscopy annotation, melanoma detection.
Malpractice Insurance: No
Illinois notes: Fully remote — available regardless of state. Pay based on specialty expertise, not location.
Typical start timeline: 1-2 weeks
Getting started: Join the expert community and make a free profile on Folio to browse current dermatologist AI training projects.
Locum tenens or per diem work for dermatologists involves providing temporary coverage at clinics or hospitals in Illinois, performing general dermatology exams, medical dermatology, and some non-Mohs surgery. Assignments are short-term, often filling staffing gaps with flexible scheduling and no administrative duties. Dermatologists choose locations and dates while earning competitive hourly rates.
Malpractice Insurance: Typically provided by employer
Illinois notes: Chicago metro at baseline; Downstate/rural IL +20-30%; Suburban Chicago slightly below metro; Mohs Surgery $275-420/hr; General Derm $180-255/hr; Cosmetic Derm $225-320/hr
Typical start timeline: 2-6 weeks
Dermatologists review patient charts, insurance claims, and treatment plans to assess medical necessity, compliance, and quality of care for payers or insurers. Work focuses on analyzing documentation remotely without patient interaction. Assignments are volume-based with deadlines.
Malpractice Insurance: No
Illinois notes: Remote work; no geographic variation; Major insurance presence in IL; Prior auth/UM reviews $100-175/hr; Complex surgical case review $175-275/hr; Insurance peer review $125-225/hr
Typical start timeline: 2-6 weeks
Telemedicine for dermatologists entails conducting virtual consultations for skin conditions, prescribing treatments, and following up with patients remotely via video or app platforms. It focuses on general medical dermatology without invasive procedures. This allows serving Illinois patients from anywhere with internet access.
Malpractice Insurance: Yes ($2,000-$5,000/year)
Illinois notes: Chicago competitive; Downstate IL significant underserved areas drive demand; Asynchronous store-forward $75-115/encounter; Live video consults $140-210/hr; After-hours +25-35%
Typical start timeline: 1-4 weeks
Q: What are the highest-paying freelance options for dermatologists in Illinois?
A: Based on current market data, the top 3 are: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal Consulting ($375-$700/hr), Healthcare Consulting / Advisory Boards ($275-$550/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($150-$375/hr).
Q: Which freelance options for dermatologists don't require malpractice insurance?
A: 4 options don't require malpractice insurance: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal Consulting ($375-$700/hr), Healthcare Consulting / Advisory Boards ($275-$550/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($150-$375/hr), Chart Review / Utilization Review ($100-$275/hr). This can save $15-$40K annually compared to options requiring coverage.
Q: Can dermatologists work remotely in Illinois?
A: Yes, 5 options are fully or partially remote: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal Consulting ($375-$700/hr), Healthcare Consulting / Advisory Boards ($275-$550/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($150-$375/hr), Chart Review / Utilization Review ($100-$275/hr), Telemedicine / Telehealth ($115-$210/hr).
Q: What Illinois license do dermatologists need for freelance work?
A: An active Illinois license from Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional Regulation is required for most clinical freelance options.
Q: How quickly can dermatologists start freelance work?
A: Timeline varies by option: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal Consulting typically takes 4-8 weeks, while Healthcare Consulting / Advisory Boards typically takes 4-12 weeks, while AI Training & Annotation typically takes 1-2 weeks.
Q: What's the pay range for dermatologists doing AI training work?
A: AI training pays $150-$375/hour for dermatologists, varying by experience level and project complexity. No malpractice insurance required.
Folio connects Illinois dermatologists with frontier research labs and healthcare AI companies looking for clinical expertise. The platform vets AI companies for project quality, handles contracting and payment, and matches projects to your area of expertise.
Typical timeline:
- Application: 3 minutes
- Credential review: 2-3 business days
- Platform orientation: 1 hour
- First project: 3-7 days from application
Current project focus (February 2026): Skin lesion classification, dermoscopy annotation, melanoma detection
Most dermatologists start with 5-10 hours weekly, then scale based on preference. No minimum commitment.
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Questions? Email experts@folioworks.com
