Neurologist Salary Report 2025
Gaining insight into neurologist compensation has become increasingly important as healthcare evolves and specialists seek competitive opportunities. So, how much does a neurologist make?
Whether you’re considering a career in neurology or evaluating your current position, knowing what neurologists earn across different specialties provides valuable insight for career planning and financial decisions.
The Role of Specialization in Neurologist Earnings
Your choice of specialty fundamentally shapes how much a neurologist earns throughout their career. Subspecialization allows neurologists to develop deep expertise in specific conditions, often translating to higher compensation and greater career satisfaction.
The salary for neurology specialists reflects the complexity of cases they handle, the length of training required, and market demand for their expertise. Understanding these differences helps both new graduates and experienced practitioners evaluate career paths and negotiate appropriate compensation.
Child Neurology / Pediatric Neurology How Much Neurologists Earn
Pediatric neurologists diagnose and treat neurological disorders in children, such as seizures and developmental delays. They earn $225,000–$250,000 annually, with starting salaries around $180,000. The emotional demands of treating young patients and their families are balanced by the rewarding nature of the work and competitive pay.
General Neurology Salary
General neurologists handle a wide range of conditions, including headaches, epilepsy, and stroke. With an average salary of $244,000 and starting pay around $200,000, this specialty offers stable income and variety without intense specialization, making it a great choice for work-life balance.
Multiple Sclerosis Salary
MS specialists earn $267,000 on average, with new graduates starting at $210,000. Managing this complex, chronic condition requires expertise and ongoing patient relationships, offering both intellectual challenge and the reward of improving patients’ quality of life.
Neuro-Critical Care Salary
Neuro-critical care specialists, who manage severe emergencies like stroke and TBI, earn around $270,000 annually, with starting salaries of $215,000. The demanding, high-stakes nature of this field justifies its elevated compensation and often involves hospital-based work.
Neurology Oncology Salary
Neuro-oncologists are the highest earners, with salaries averaging $341,000 and starting pay at $230,000. They treat brain and spinal tumors, as well as neurological complications of cancer, combining expertise in both neurology and oncology.
Parkinson's/Movement Disorders Salary
Movement disorder specialists focus on conditions like Parkinson’s and dystonia, earning $240,000 on average, with starting pay at $190,000. They manage medications and advanced treatments like deep brain stimulation, often working alongside neurosurgeons for comprehensive care.
Several key variables determine how much does a neurologist make beyond their chosen specialty. Understanding these factors helps practitioners optimize their earning potential and career satisfaction.
Geographic Location and Cost of Living
Location significantly impacts neurologist salaries, with coastal regions and major metropolitan areas typically offering higher compensation to offset increased living costs. Rural areas may offer competitive packages including housing assistance, student loan forgiveness, or other benefits to attract specialists.
Urban practices often provide higher base salaries but may require longer hours and higher patient volumes. Rural positions might offer better work-life balance alongside competitive total compensation packages designed to address physician shortages in underserved areas.
Experience and Career Stage
Experience directly correlates with earning potential across all neurology subspecialties. New graduates typically start at the lower end of salary ranges but can expect significant increases as they develop expertise and build their professional reputation.
Mid-career neurologists often see the most dramatic salary growth as they establish themselves in their communities and subspecialties. Senior physicians may transition to leadership roles, academic positions, or consulting arrangements that can further enhance their compensation.
Practice Setting and Employment Model
Employment structure significantly affects how much does neurologist earn. Hospital-employed positions often provide stable salaries with comprehensive benefits but may limit earning potential compared to private practice or partnership opportunities.
Academic positions typically offer lower base salaries but provide additional income opportunities through research grants, speaking engagements, and consulting. Private practice neurologists may have higher earning potential but face greater business responsibilities and financial risks.
Maximizing Your Neurologist Income Potential
Understanding current market rates represents only the first step in optimizing your compensation. Successful neurologists actively manage their careers to ensure their earnings reflect their value and expertise.
Research industry standards for your specialty and location before entering salary negotiations. Professional associations, salary surveys, and networking with colleagues provide valuable benchmarking information that strengthens your negotiating position.
Consider the complete compensation package beyond base salary. Health insurance, retirement contributions, malpractice coverage, continuing education allowances, and other benefits significantly impact your total compensation value.
Stay current with advances in your subspecialty to maintain your competitive edge. Neurologists who pursue additional certifications, publish research, or develop expertise in emerging treatments often command higher salaries and better career opportunities.
Your Path Forward in Neurology
The question of how much neurosurgeons make often arises in discussions about neurologist compensation, though these represent different specialties with distinct training paths and earning potentials. Neurologists and neurosurgeons work closely together but have different educational requirements and practice scopes.
Current salary data shows strong earning potential across neurology subspecialties, with opportunities for both new graduates and experienced practitioners. The key lies in understanding your priorities—whether maximizing income, achieving work-life balance, or pursuing specific clinical interests.
Consider exploring opportunities that align with your personal and professional goals. The neurology job market remains strong, with aging populations driving demand for neurological expertise across all subspecialties. AMN Healthcare can help you navigate this landscape to find the best neurologist job opportunities that fit your aspirations.
