Looking for freelance or contract work as a dermatologist in Pennsylvania? Whether you want to supplement your income or transition to independent practice, Pennsylvania offers several high-paying options. Here's how the top opportunities compare.
Dermatologists review medical records, provide expert opinions on standard of care in dermatology malpractice cases, and testify in depositions or trials. Work includes writing reports on skin cancer misdiagnoses or procedure errors. Assignments come from law firms handling personal injury or liability claims.
Malpractice Insurance: No
Pennsylvania notes: Philadelphia legal market among largest nationally; Pittsburgh moderate volume; Trial testimony $500-700/hr; Deposition $425-575/hr; File review $375-475/hr
Typical start timeline: 1-4 weeks
Involves advising pharmaceutical companies, device makers, or health systems on dermatology treatments, drug development, or practice management. Dermatologists participate in meetings, review data, and provide insights on market needs or guidelines. Often short-term projects or ongoing boards.
Malpractice Insurance: No
Pennsylvania notes: Philadelphia pharma corridor (GSK, Merck nearby in NJ); Academic KOLs from UPenn/Jefferson command premium; Pharma advisory boards $375-550/hr; Expert networks $275-450/hr; KOL calls premium for Penn/Jefferson faculty
Typical start timeline: 4-8 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
Pennsylvania 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.
As Principal Investigator (PI) or Sub-Investigator (Sub-I), dermatologists oversee clinical trials for new skin treatments, enrolling patients, monitoring safety, and collecting data on efficacy. Work occurs in research clinics alongside routine practice. Involves protocol adherence and regulatory compliance.
Malpractice Insurance: Yes ($10,000-$20,000/year)
Pennsylvania notes: Philadelphia has strong research infrastructure (UPenn, Jefferson); Pittsburgh (UPMC) moderate research market; Biologic/immunotherapy trials $1,200-1,900/pt; Device trials $200-350/hr effective; Academic overhead reduces direct PI comp 30-40%
Typical start timeline: 8-16 weeks
Locum tenens or per diem work involves temporary assignments filling staffing gaps at clinics or hospitals, performing general dermatology exams, biopsies, and bread-and-butter cases like rashes and acne. Dermatologists work short-term contracts, often one week per month or ongoing shifts, providing direct patient care in outpatient settings. Assignments can span days to months with travel sometimes covered.
Malpractice Insurance: Typically provided by employer
Pennsylvania notes: Philadelphia metro at baseline; Pittsburgh slightly below; Rural central PA +20-30%; Mohs Surgery $280-430/hr; General Derm $185-260/hr; Cosmetic Derm $230-330/hr
Typical start timeline: 4-12 weeks
Telemedicine involves remote consultations for skin conditions, rashes, acne, and follow-ups via video or phone, without physical exams requiring in-person biopsies. Dermatologists review images, prescribe treatments, and advise patients from home. This allows serving Pennsylvania patients across distances efficiently.
Malpractice Insurance: Yes ($5,000-$15,000/year)
Pennsylvania notes: Philadelphia competitive market; Rural PA high demand; PA telehealth laws supportive; Asynchronous store-forward $75-115/encounter; Live video consults $140-210/hr; After-hours +25-35%
Typical start timeline: 2-6 weeks
Q: What are the highest-paying freelance options for dermatologists in Pennsylvania?
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: 3 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). This can save $15-$45K annually compared to options requiring coverage.
Q: Can dermatologists work remotely in Pennsylvania?
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), Clinical Research (PI/Sub-I) ($175-$350/hr), Telemedicine / Telehealth ($115-$210/hr).
Q: What Pennsylvania license do dermatologists need for freelance work?
A: An active Pennsylvania license from Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine 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.
Folio connects Pennsylvania 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
