Neurosurgeon Salary in USA

Updated on 08 November, 2023

Neha Uppal

Neha Uppal

Sr. Content editor

A neurosurgeon is a medical doctor who specializes in the surgical treatment of conditions affecting the nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. The role of a neurosurgeon involves evaluating and diagnosing conditions that affect the nervous system, such as brain tumors, spinal cord injuries, aneurysms, and other disorders. It is among the top 10 highest-paying jobs in the USA, with an average pay of $100 on an hourly basis. In this article, we will discuss the scope, prospects, and salary of the neurosurgeon in the USA.

Get all your Study Abroad doubts clarified Now for FREE: Fix an Appointment Now

Scope of Neurology in the USA

A career in the field of neurology in the United States is both rewarding and challenging. The scope of being a neurologist in the USA is significant due to the prevalence of neurological disorders in the population. Neurological disorders are the leading cause of disability worldwide, affecting millions of people in the United States alone. As the population continues to age, the demand for neurologists rises, and so does the average salary of the neurosurgeon. The projected job growth for neurologists is 7% from 2018-2028 in the USA. 

Here are some examples of the application of neurology in terms of job roles:

  1. Clinical Practice
  2. Academic Teaching 
  3. Consultation/Telemedicine
  4. Research 

Salary in USA- Neurologist/Neurosurgeons:

The starting salary of a neurologist in the USA is influenced by various factors such as education and qualifications, years of experience, area of expertise (subspeciality), geographical location, and case volume.

According to BLS salary information, the average salary for neurosurgeons in the USA is $208000 per annum.

  • A fresher neurologist in the USA with less than one year of experience earns $202,942 on average (including tips, bonuses, and overtime pay). 
  • A neurologist with one to four years of experience earns an average total compensation of $230,870. 
  • A neurologist with five to nine years of experience earns about $237,672. 
  • The average neurosurgeon salary of an experienced professional of 10-19 years is $258,350 
  • Experienced Neurosurgeons (with a work experience of 20 years or higher) earn somewhere about $255,572 on average.

The salary of a neurosurgeon in the USA ranges between $17333 and $21297 every month, including several other variable benefits too. 

Interested to Study In the USA? Apply for Free Counseling

5Highest Paying Cities for the Neurosurgeon in USA: 

The five cities with the highest salaries for neurosurgeons in the USA are listed below: 

Rank City Avg. Salary Hourly Rate
1 Anchorage, AK $581,950 $279.78
2 Bismarck, ND $458,344 $220.36
3 Duluth, MN $424,987 $204.32
4 Billings, MT $416,947 $200.46
5 Seattle, WA $399,453 $192.04

Source: Payscale

Comparison Between Salary of a Neurosurgeon in USA and India: 

According to Payscale’s salary information, the average salary for a neurosurgeon is ₹26,45,262. In the US, neurosurgeons on the lower end of the spectrum make roughly $188,000 a year, while the top 10% make somewhere about $709,000. This is reasonable to say that the US pays neurosurgeons much more than most other nations do. It is majorly because of the costlier infrastructure and living costs when compared to countries like India. 

Conclusion: 

Overall, the future of neurosurgeons in the US looks bright, with exciting advances on the horizon with the potential to improve the outcomes and quality of life for patients with neurological conditions. Be it precision medicine, telemedicine, artificial intelligence, or regenerative medicine, neurosurgeons have a key role to play in all of the segments. 

With the US government focusing on the health infrastructure and quality of life of its citizens, it is safe to say that the career prospects of neurologists are bright in the US.

FAQs

What is the difference between a Neurosurgeon and a Neurologist?

Neurosurgeons and Neurologists are both medical professionals who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the nervous system. However, there are some key differences between the two:
Education: Neurosurgeons are medical doctors who have completed a rigorous surgical residency program after medical school. Neurologists complete a residency program in neurology after medical school, which focuses on the diagnosis and non-surgical treatment of neurological conditions.
Conditions Treated: Neurosurgeons primarily treat conditions that require surgical intervention, such as brain tumors, aneurysms, and spinal cord injuries. Neurologists, on the other hand, treat a wide range of neurological conditions, including migraines, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease.

How many hours does a Neurologist work in the USA?

The schedule of Neurologists differs depending on various factors. They can keep weekly schedules of 45 to 60 hours. This is because the medical field has fewer neurosurgeons than general surgeons.

Which state in the USA is best for Neurosurgeons to work?

The two states with the highest median salaries are North Dakota and Minnesota, with North Dakota being the best state for Neurosurgeons. With a median pay of $224,428, North Dakota has the highest median pay for Neurosurgeons out of all 50 states.

Did you find this article helpful?

Neha Uppal

Sr. Content editor

Neha Uppal is a passionate content creator and editor. She carries 7.5+ years of experience working with leading edutech companies where she worked as a Faculty, Community Manager, and Content Marketeer. At upGrad, she is helping out people keep informed about the scopes and opportunities of studying abroad via informational articles/blogs.

See More

Refer Your Friend & Earn upto ₹40000

Help your friend upgrade to a Global Career and earn rewards together.