Background and purpose <p>The expression of the hTERT component of the human telomerase is elevated in different types of malignancies, including skin cancer. Early diagnosis of malignant melanoma is necessary to improve the prognosis of the disease. Although there are many diagnostic biomarkers for malignant melanoma, none is accurate, specific, and sensitive. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the expression rate and patterns of the hTERT component of human telomerase in melanoma and to compare this with squamous cell carcinoma as a common non melanoma skin cancer to investigate the potential of using telomerase as a molecular biomarker for the early diagnosis of this tumor. Additionally, the study compared the telomerase expression in these two tumor types with varying clinicopathological parameters.</p> Methods <p>In this retrospective observational study, a total of 348 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue microarrays samples consisting of cutaneous melanoma (<i>n</i> = 189), squamous cell carcinoma (<i>n</i> = 115), and normal human skin samples (<i>n</i> = 44) were analyzed by immunohistochemistry for the expression of the hTERT component of human telomerase.</p> Results <p>Out of 189 melanoma cases, 97 (51.3%) showed positive telomerase expression in contrast to detection of telomerase expression only in 3 out of 115 (2.6%) squamous cell carcinoma tissue samples. The telomerase was expressed only in 5 out of 44 normal human skins.</p> Conclusion <p>Our data indicate that telomerase expression is significantly more pronounced in melanoma compared to squamous cell carcinoma. These findings may support the potential utilization of telomerase as a biomarker for early diagnosis and monitoring of melanoma which can lead to timely treatment and enhances a better outcome.</p>