Compare high-paying freelance options for Ohio dermatologists: locums, telemedicine, AI training, consulting. Real pay ranges, requirements, and how to start.

TL;DR

Looking for freelance or contract work as a dermatologist in Ohio? Whether you want to supplement your income or transition to independent practice, Ohio offers several high-paying options. Here's how the top opportunities compare.

1.

Expert Witness / Medical-Legal Consulting

$350-$600/hr

What You'll Do

Dermatologists serve as expert witnesses by reviewing cases, providing testimony, and offering opinions on dermatology-related medical malpractice or injury claims. Work includes preparing reports, depositions, and court appearances based on expertise in skin conditions and procedures. Assignments are project-based, often involving legal firms nationwide.

Requirements

  • Active Ohio medical license
  • Board certification
  • 5+ years clinical experience
  • Prior expert witness experience preferred

Malpractice Insurance: No

Where to Find Work

  • SEAK 2024 Fee Study, Expert Institute, PhysicianSideGigs

Ohio notes: Moderate legal market volume; Columbus/Cleveland/Cincinnati main markets; Trial testimony $475-600/hr; Deposition $400-525/hr; File review $350-425/hr
Typical start timeline: 1-4 weeks

2.

Healthcare Consulting / Advisory Boards

$250-$500/hr

What You'll Do

Dermatologists participate in advisory boards or consulting for pharmaceutical companies, reviewing products, guidelines, or strategies for skin care treatments. Activities include meetings, feedback sessions, and strategic input on clinical trials or market needs. Roles leverage expertise to influence healthcare policies or product development.

Requirements

  • Board certification in Dermatology
  • 5+ years experience
  • Industry knowledge
  • Active Ohio license optional

Malpractice Insurance: No

Where to Find Work

  • PhysicianSideGigs

Ohio notes: Moderate pharma presence; Cleveland Clinic/OSU faculty as KOLs; Some regional biotech; Pharma advisory boards $350-500/hr; Expert networks $250-400/hr
Typical start timeline: 4-8 weeks

3.

AI Training & Annotation

$150-$375/hr

What You'll Do

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.

Requirements

  • Active clinical background in dermatologist
  • No malpractice insurance needed
  • Computer with reliable internet

Malpractice Insurance: No

Where to Find Work

  • Folio (folioworks.com)
  • Centaur Labs
  • Appen
  • Labelbox

Ohio 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.

4.

Clinical Research (PI/Sub-I)

$175-$325/hr

What You'll Do

As Principal Investigator (PI) or Sub-Investigator (Sub-I), dermatologists oversee clinical trials for new dermatology drugs, devices, or treatments at research sites. Responsibilities include patient recruitment, protocol adherence, data collection, and safety monitoring. Opportunities often occur in Ohio clinics or hospitals partnering with sponsors.

Requirements

  • Active Ohio medical license
  • Board certification
  • GCP training
  • Research experience preferred

Malpractice Insurance: Typically provided by employer

Where to Find Work

  • CCRPS PI Compensation Report, LinkedIn PI listings, ClinicalTrials.gov OH sites

Ohio notes: Cleveland Clinic and OSU strong research infrastructure; Private sites in Columbus/Cincinnati; Biologic/immunotherapy trials $1,200-1,800/pt; Device trials $200-325/hr effective
Typical start timeline: 8-12 weeks

5.

Locum Tenens / Per Diem

$175-$310/hr

What You'll Do

Locum tenens or per diem work for dermatologists involves providing temporary coverage at clinics or hospitals, performing general dermatology exams, biopsies, excisions, and bread-and-butter cases. Assignments typically last from days to months, filling staffing gaps in Ohio facilities like hospitals or physician groups. Dermatologists handle onsite shifts with schedules like Monday-Friday day shifts.

Requirements

  • Active Ohio medical license
  • Board certification in Dermatology
  • Experience in general dermatology procedures

Malpractice Insurance: Typically provided by employer

Where to Find Work

  • Barton Associates

Ohio notes: Cleveland/Columbus metro at baseline; Rural Appalachian OH +25-35%; Cincinnati slightly above avg; Mohs Surgery $270-410/hr; General Derm $175-250/hr; Cosmetic Derm $220-310/hr
Typical start timeline: 4-8 weeks

6.

Telemedicine / Telehealth

$110-$200/hr

What You'll Do

Telemedicine opportunities allow dermatologists to conduct virtual consultations for skin conditions, hormone replacement therapy, erectile dysfunction, and general dermatology via video platforms. Work is performed from home, offering flexibility in patient evaluations without physical exams. Dermatologists set their own schedules and manage patient follow-ups remotely.

Requirements

  • Active Ohio medical license
  • Board certification preferred
  • Telehealth platform experience
  • Reliable internet and technology setup

Malpractice Insurance: Yes ($2,000-$5,000/year)

Where to Find Work

  • Indeed OH telemedicine listings, ZipRecruiter, Cleveland Clinic teledermatology program

Ohio notes: Rural Appalachian OH strong teledermatology demand; Cleveland Clinic teledermatology network; Asynchronous store-forward $70-110/encounter; Live video consults $130-200/hr; After-hours +25-30%
Typical start timeline: 2-4 weeks

Common Questions People Ask

Q: What are the highest-paying freelance options for dermatologists in Ohio?

A: Based on current market data, the top 3 are: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal Consulting ($350-$600/hr), Healthcare Consulting / Advisory Boards ($250-$500/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($150-$375/hr).

Q: Which freelance options for dermatologists don't require malpractice insurance?

A: 3 options don't require malpractice insurance: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal Consulting ($350-$600/hr), Healthcare Consulting / Advisory Boards ($250-$500/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($150-$375/hr).

Q: Can dermatologists work remotely in Ohio?

A: Yes, 5 options are fully or partially remote: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal Consulting ($350-$600/hr), Healthcare Consulting / Advisory Boards ($250-$500/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($150-$375/hr), Clinical Research (PI/Sub-I) ($175-$325/hr), Telemedicine / Telehealth ($110-$200/hr).

Q: What Ohio license do dermatologists need for freelance work?

A: An active Ohio license from State Medical Board of Ohio 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 1-4 weeks, while Healthcare Consulting / Advisory Boards typically takes 4-8 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.

Getting Started with AI Training

Folio connects Ohio 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.

Explore AI Training Opportunities

Questions? Email experts@folioworks.com

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Frequently asked questions

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How do I get started with freelance dermatologist work in Ohio?