Salary data, job market conditions, part-time feasibility, active listings, and a practical game plan.
| Scenario | Est. Annual Earnings | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (12 months), Phoenix | $158K – $178K | Base salary, standard private practice |
| Full-time, Scottsdale/Paradise Valley | $170K – $195K | Premium market, cosmetic-heavy practices |
| Part-time (3–4 days/week) | $100K – $140K | Pro-rated; some practices offer 3-day positions |
| 8–9 months (your scenario) | $100K – $145K | Depends on structure (see schedule section) |
| Locum Tenens (per diem) | $900 – $1,400/day | Flexible but inconsistent; no benefits |
| Top earners (production-based) | $200K – $340K+ | High-volume RVU with bonus structure |
Even at part-time hours (your likely scenario), Anne would be earning $100K–$145K in Phoenix — comparable to or better than what a full-time general PA earns in many markets. Dermatology is one of the highest-paying PA specialties, and Phoenix's affluent, sun-heavy patient population means strong practice economics. If she works full-time Nov–May (roughly 6.5 months) at a daily locum rate of $1,100, that's ~$130K for the season with full schedule control.
Skin cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in the US, and Phoenix/Scottsdale have among the highest UV exposure in the country. The metro also has a large affluent population (many of whom are snowbirds themselves) driving cosmetic derm demand year-round. Both medical and cosmetic dermatology are growing rapidly.
LinkedIn shows 58 active derm PA listings in Phoenix right now, with 5+ new postings added weekly. Major groups like Platinum Dermatology Partners (104+ open roles nationally), U.S. Dermatology Partners, and Affiliated Dermatology are in active expansion mode.
ZipRecruiter characterizes the Phoenix derm PA market as "not very active as few companies are currently hiring" — but this language likely reflects fewer new postings vs. demand, not a weak market. The more likely reality: practices prefer established local providers and relationship-based hires over cold applications.
The actual constraint isn't jobs, it's experienced derm PAs willing to work non-standard schedules. Anne's experience puts her in a strong negotiating position for flexible arrangements.
Yes — but the path matters. A permanent salaried position with guaranteed summers off is unlikely at a single practice. However, the same outcome is very achievable through locum tenens contracts, a flexible part-time arrangement with a large group, or building a relationship over 1–2 seasons that earns schedule trust. This is more of a negotiation challenge than a market access challenge.
Best for: Maximum schedule control, year one in Phoenix
Locum tenens agencies (CompHealth, Weatherby, LocumTenens.com) place derm PAs on 4–26 week temporary contracts. A November start through May aligns perfectly with a 26-week assignment. Pay is typically $900–$1,400/day with travel and malpractice covered. No benefits, but the flexibility is total.
This is the cleanest path for year one — Anne can try different practices, build Phoenix relationships, and figure out where she wants to settle before committing to a permanent role.
Best for: Benefits, stability, building a practice relationship
Several practices actively post 3–4 day/week positions. From there, negotiating an unpaid summer leave (May–September) is a realistic ask at a multi-provider group where coverage can rotate. This is especially true if Anne brings existing derm experience and is willing to commit to the practice long-term.
The ask is easier at a large group (5+ providers) than a small 1–2 physician practice where her absence creates real coverage problems.
This is less common but increasingly real. A number of derm practices in high-snowbird markets like Scottsdale and Paradise Valley have structured "seasonal provider" arrangements specifically because their patient volume spikes November–April and drops in summer. Anne could position herself explicitly as a seasonal derm PA — and there are practices that actually want exactly that.
The pitch: "I'm a derm PA with X years of experience. I want to work November through May, full-time. I'm not looking for summer coverage or benefits — just a consistent seasonal home." That's a genuinely attractive proposition for a practice that sees 20–30% more patient volume in the winter months.
| Model | How It Works | Best For Anne? |
|---|---|---|
| Base Salary (flat) | Guaranteed annual salary, no production component. Simple, predictable. | Yes — especially for part-time/seasonal, avoids RVU tracking complexity |
| Base + RVU Bonus | Base salary guaranteed, then bonus for productivity above a threshold. $35–60/wRVU over benchmark. | Good if staying full-time. Less useful for part-time where hitting threshold is harder. |
| Pure Production | % of collections or RVU-only pay. High ceiling, no floor. | Avoid for part-time — income volatility doesn't match your lifestyle goal |
| Per Diem / Daily Rate | Fixed daily rate (locum or PRN). $900–$1,400/day. No benefits. | Best for locum path — clean, predictable, maximum flexibility |
| Partnership / Shareholder Track | Equity stake in practice after 2–3 years. Long-term upside. (Platinum Derm offers this.) | Possible long-term, but less relevant for a seasonal/part-time arrangement |
These listings were active at time of research. Individual postings turn over quickly — use the search board links below for the most current inventory.
Starting as a locum in Phoenix gives Anne full schedule control from day one, lets her try multiple practices before committing, and typically pays $900–$1,400/day with malpractice and sometimes housing covered. The tradeoff is no employer-sponsored benefits — but given your financial picture, self-funding health insurance during a season is very manageable.
One of the largest locum tenens agencies nationally. Places advanced practitioners including derm PAs. Phoenix-specific contacts, thriving private physician-owned practice placements.
Browse PA OpeningsStrong derm PA placement nationally. Benefits: pre-paid travel and housing, paid malpractice insurance. Good for first locum assignment — handles credentialing logistics.
Weatherby HealthcareHandles credentialing, AZ licensing, travel, and malpractice for temporary placements. Dermatology-specific section. Good national inventory with Arizona representation.
Browse AP Locum JobsBoutique agencies with Arizona-specific derm placements. Worth registering with multiple agencies — they often have different practice relationships in the same market.
Barton Associates — PA| Scenario | Days Worked | Daily Rate | Gross Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 days/week, Nov–May (26 weeks) | ~104 days | $1,000/day | ~$104,000 |
| 4 days/week, Nov–May (26 weeks) | ~104 days | $1,200/day | ~$125,000 |
| 3 days/week, Nov–May (26 weeks) | ~78 days | $1,100/day | ~$86,000 |
Note: Locum earnings are typically 1099/independent contractor — self-employment tax applies (~15.3%), but also opens additional deduction options. Worth running by your CPA alongside the AZ domicile discussion.
Highest concentration of derm practices in the metro. Pay premium of 8%+ above AZ average. Heavy cosmetic + medical derm mix. Affluent snowbird patient population = year-round cosmetic demand even when Bryant and Anne are in Wisconsin. Major employers: Platinum Dermatology, U.S. Dermatology Partners, Clear Dermatology, Center for Derm & Plastic Surgery.
This is Anne's best geographic target regardless of which neighborhood you ultimately choose to live in — most areas are within a 20–30 min commute of the Scottsdale corridor.
Secondary cluster, growing quickly. Less dense than Scottsdale but solid options and slightly more accessible from neighborhoods like Ahwatukee via the I-10/Loop 202. Affiliated Dermatology, U.S. Dermatology Partners, and Saguaro Dermatology all have North Phoenix presence.
| If You Live In... | Drive to Scottsdale Derm Corridor | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Old Town Scottsdale | 0–5 min | Best possible commute — walkable to some practices |
| Arcadia | 10–15 min | Excellent commute access |
| North Scottsdale | 10–20 min | Strong access to both Scottsdale and North Phoenix clusters |
| Ahwatukee Foothills | 25–30 min | Manageable; also close to South Mountain Hospital area |
| Chandler | 25–35 min | Reasonable; also has local Chandler-area derm practices |
| Gilbert | 30–40 min | Longer but acceptable; Gilbert has its own growing derm scene |
| Fountain Hills | 35–40 min | Furthest from Scottsdale corridor — more limiting |
| Cave Creek / Carefree | 25–35 min to N. Scottsdale | Reasonable access to North Phoenix/Scottsdale clusters |
Use the April trip to walk into 2–3 derm practices in Scottsdale/Paradise Valley and have informal conversations. You're not job-hunting yet — you're exploring. Ask about their PA staffing structure, whether they've ever had seasonal providers, and what the patient volume seasonality looks like. This plants seeds and gives you intel that no job board can.
Contact CompHealth and Weatherby Healthcare to get a sense of what derm PA locum placements look like in Phoenix — pay rates, practice types, typical contract lengths. You're not committing; you're gathering market data. They'll also flag you for future opportunities.
If Anne prefers the stability of a permanent role, focus applications on Platinum Dermatology Partners, U.S. Dermatology Partners, and Affiliated Dermatology — they have the staffing depth to absorb a May–September leave without it being a crisis. Frame the ask upfront rather than after you're hired.
Apply 2–3 months before your intended start date. Don't wait until you have a job offer — the license is the prerequisite, not the result.
Scottsdale cosmetic derm practices see dramatically higher volume November–April when snowbirds are in town. Pitching yourself as a seasonally-aligned PA — "I'm here when your volume peaks, gone when it slows" — is genuinely valuable to the right practice. This is worth exploring with 2–3 cosmetic-heavy practices specifically.