Table of Contents
Neurosurgeon Job DescriptionTop 5 Highest and Lowest Paying States for Neurosurgeon Jobs in the USTop 5 Highest Paying States for Neurosurgeons:Top 5 Lowest Paying States for Neurosurgeons:Historical Data (Salary Outlook) For Salary MedianAverage Neurosurgeon Salary by State (for non-traveling doctors)Average Neurosurgeon Job Salary by State (for traveling doctors)What is the average incentive bonus for a Neurosurgeon Job?Employed vs. self-employed Neurosurgeon JobMost common benefits for a NeurosurgeonWhat is the average salary for a Neurosurgeon?What factors influence the salary of a Neurosurgeon?How much do neurosurgeons earn compared to other medical specialties?What is the salary outlook for neurosurgeons in the future?What is the earning potential for neurosurgeons who engage in research or teaching?How to do an effective Neurosurgeon job searchAs a Healthcare staffing agency, we understand the importance of having reliable information and trustworthy information available to you. That’s why our healthcare content is created by experienced nurses and healthcare professionals who understand the industry firsthand. We use trustworthy sources and keep our information up-to-date so you can feel confident in the advice and resources we offer.
Neurosurgeon Job Description
A neurosurgeon is a highly specialized medical doctor who focuses on the treatment of disorders affecting the nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and the peripheral nerves. Neurosurgeons evaluate and diagnosis patients with neurological symptoms like headaches, seizures, weakness, numbness, or coordination difficulties. Depending upon the diagnosis, they may need to perform surgery. Neurosurgeon training takes many years, and the workload can be demanding.
Surgical treatment can range from brain tumors, and aneurysms to spinal cord tumors, spinal cord injuries, and degenerative spine diseases. Many neurosurgeons are also involved in research to advance and improve current treatment options. According to The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is a high demand for neurosurgeon jobs, which is projected to grow 13% by 2026. In 2016, only 3,700 neurosurgeons were in practice, which is not sufficient to meet patient demand.
Top 5 Highest and Lowest Paying States for Neurosurgeon Jobs in the US
Specific salary data varies by state and over time. The salary for a neurosurgeon is influenced by the demand for the specialty, cost of living, and regional economic conditions. According to ZipRecruiter, the highest and lowest paying states for neurosurgeons are as follows:
Top 5 Highest Paying States for Neurosurgeons:
- Oregon
- Alaska
- North Dakota
- Massachusetts
- Hawaii
Top 5 Lowest Paying States for Neurosurgeons:
- Florida
- West Virginia
- Louisiana
- Georgia
- Kansas
*Note the state data does vary between resources*
Historical Data (Salary Outlook) For Salary Median
Chart from https://www.zippia.com/salaries/neurosurgeon/#salary-history-line-chartThe median salary for a neurosurgeon in the U.S. is influenced by their experience, location, and specialization. Entry-level salaries for those just starting their careers may be lower than the median and based on demand for their specialty. Pediatric neurosurgeons are the highest paid specialty. Traveling neurosurgeons may receive a higher hourly rate because of their temporary job status. Non-traveling neurosurgeons who working in a permanent hospital position may have variations in salary based on specialization, geographic location, type of healthcare institution, and expertise level. According to Comparably, the salary of a neurosurgeon in the US ranges from $141,718 to $1,353,819 with an average salary of $300,000.
Average Neurosurgeon Salary by State (for non-traveling doctors)
| State | Annual Salary | Weekly Salary | Hourly Wage |
| Alabama | $244,731 | $4,706 | $117.66 |
| Alaska | $334,839 | $6,439 | $160.98 |
| Arizona | $251,616 | $4,838 | $120.35 |
| Arkansas | $246,921 | $4,748 | $118.71 |
| California | $275,883 | $5,305 | $132.64 |
| Colorado | $312,440 | $6,008 | $150.21 |
| Connecticut | $250,337 | $4,814 | $120.35 |
| Delaware | $293,707 | $5,648 | $141.21 |
| Florida | $201,770 | $3,880 | $97.01 |
| Georgia | $227,987 | $4,384 | $109.61 |
| Hawaii | $327,715 | $6,302 | $157.56 |
| Idaho | $263,914 | $5,075 | $126.88 |
| Illinois | $289,370 | $5,564 | $139.12 |
| Indiana | $256,928 | $4,940 | $123.52 |
| Iowa | $248,269 | $4,774 | $119.36 |
| Kansas | $234,058 | $4,501 | $112.53 |
| Kentucky | $261,290 | $5,024 | $125.62 |
| Louisiana | $226,741 | $4,360 | $109.01 |
| Maine | $269,442 | $5,181 | $129.54 |
| Maryland | $284,445 | $5,470 | $136.75 |
| Massachusetts | $330,788 | $6,361 | $159.03 |
| Michigan | $258,654 | $4,974 | $124.35 |
| Minnesota | $259,699 | $4,994 | $124.86 |
| Mississippi | $248,579 | $4,780 | $119.51 |
| Missouri | $276,650 | $5,320 | $133.00 |
| Montana | $247,824 | $4,765 | $119.15 |
| Nebraska | $278,373 | $5,353 | $133.83 |
| Nevada | $316,591 | $6,088 | $152.21 |
| New Hampshire | $264,567 | $5,087 | $127.20 |
| New Jersey | $271,499 | $5,221 | $130.53 |
| New Mexico | $258,235 | $4,966 | $124.15 |
| New York | $296,981 | $5,711 | $142.78 |
| North Carolina | $268,601 | $5,165 | $129.14 |
| North Dakota | $334,786 | $6,438 | $160.96 |
| Ohio | $252,433 | $4,854 | $121.36 |
| Oklahoma | $269,583 | $5,184 | $129.61 |
| Oregon | $336,493 | $6,471 | $161.78 |
| Pennsylvania | $272,057 | $5,231 | $130.80 |
| Rhode Island | $311,671 | $5,993 | $149.84 |
| South Carolina | $274,262 | $5,274 | $131.86 |
| South Dakota | $316,408 | $6,084 | $152.12 |
| Tennessee | $241,000 | $4,634 | $115.87 |
| Texas | $262,138 | $5,041 | $126.03 |
| Utah | $241,174 | $4,637 | $115.95 |
| Vermont | $290,005 | $5,577 | $139.43 |
| Virginia | $289,458 | $5,566 | $139.16 |
| Washington | $320,185 | $6,157 | $153.94 |
| West Virginia | $210,113 | $4,040 | $101.02 |
| Wisconsin | $268,875 | $5,170 | $129.27 |
| Wyoming | $260,370 | $5,007 | $125.18 |
**Data from ZipRecruiter
Average Neurosurgeon Job Salary by State (for traveling doctors)
| State | Annual Salary | Weekly Salary | Hourly Wage |
| Alabama (Birmingham) | $273,252 | $5,255 | $131 |
| Alaska (Juneau) | $ 308,976 | $5,942 | $149 |
| Arizona (Phoenix) | $ 289,498 | $5,567 | $139 |
| Arkansas (Little Rock) | $279,653 | $5,378 | $134 |
| California (San Francisco) | $343,514 | $6,606 | $165 |
| Colorado (Boulder) | $302,383 | $5,815 | $145 |
| Connecticut (Hartford) | $294,107 | $5,656 | $141 |
| Delaware (Dover) | $291,403 | $5,603 | $140 |
| Florida (Miami) | $278,886 | $5,363 | $134 |
| Georgia (Atlanta) | $280,386 | $5,392 | $135 |
| Hawaii (Honolulu) | $287,955 | $5,538 | $138 |
| Idaho (Boise) | $277,500 | $5,337 | $133 |
| Illinois (Chicago) | $300,355 | $5,776 | $144 |
| Indiana (Indianapolis) | $278,698 | $5,360 | $134 |
| Iowa (Des Moines) | $284,545 | $5,472 | $137 |
| Kansas (Topeka) | $274,390 | $5,277 | $132 |
| Kentucky (Lexington) | $289,791 | $5,573 | $139 |
| Louisiana (New Orleans) | $280,010 | $5,385 | $135 |
| Maine (Portland) | $298,305 | $5,737 | $143 |
| Maryland (Annapolis) | $288,628 | $5,551 | $139 |
| Massachusetts (Boston) | $316,757 | $6,091 | $152 |
| Michigan (Detroit) | $288,639 | $5,551 | $139 |
| Minnesota (St Paul) | $294,884 | $5,671 | $142 |
| Mississippi (Jackson) | $254,077 | $4,886 | $122 |
| Missouri (Jefferson City) | $276,355 | $5,315 | $133 |
| Montana (Helena) | $276,303 | $5,314 | $133 |
| Nebraska (Lincoln) | $253,841 | $4,882 | $122 |
| Nevada (Carson City) | $285,552 | $5,491 | $137 |
| New Hampshire (Concord) | $293,483 | $5,644 | $141 |
| New Jersey (Trenton) | $292,369 | $5,622 | $141 |
| New Mexico (Santa Fe) | $286,209 | $5,504 | $138 |
| New York (Manhattan) | $321,779 | $6,188 | $155 |
| North Carolina (Charlotte) | $284,777 | $5,476 | $137 |
| North Dakota (Bismark) | $290,495 | $5,586 | $140 |
| Ohio (Columbus) | $281,623 | $5,416 | $135 |
| Oklahoma (OK City) | $270,851 | $5,209 | $130 |
| Oregon (Portland) | $309,207 | $5,946 | $149 |
| Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) | $294,215 | $5,658 | $141 |
| Rhode Island (Providence) | $294,549 | $5,664 | $142 |
| South Carolina (Charleston) | $272,852 | $5,247 | $131 |
| South Dakota (Pierre) | $290,524 | $5,587 | $140 |
| Tennessee (Nashville) | $281,622 | $5,416 | $135 |
| Texas (Austin) | $289,002 | $5,558 | $139 |
| Utah (Salt Lake City) | $282,151 | $5,426 | $136 |
| Vermont (Montpelier) | $294,762 | $5,669 | $142 |
| Virginia (Richmond) | $288,542 | $5,549 | $139 |
| Washington (Spokane) | $294,808 | $5,669 | $142 |
| West Virginia (Charleston) | $283,365 | $5,449 | $136 |
| Wisconsin (Green Bay) | $283,594 | $5,454 | $136 |
| Wyoming (Cheyenne) | $276,292 | $5,313 | $133 |
What is the average incentive bonus for a Neurosurgeon Job?
According to Comparably, the average bonus for a neurosurgeon is $30,000 which represents 11.1% of their salary. Incentive bonuses for a neurosurgeon can vary depending on the employer and specific factors related to job performance. Neurosurgeons may receive retention bonuses and productivity bonuses. A retention bonus may be offered as an incentive to continue working for the organization as it can cost thousands of dollars to recruit and hire a new doctor. A productivity-based bonus may be based on meeting or exceeding target metrics or may be tied to the number of procedures. A satisfaction bonus may be given based on patient feedback or patient satisfaction scores.
Employed vs. self-employed Neurosurgeon Job
Salaries often differ between employed and self-employed doctors. Employed neurosurgeons have a stable income, health insurance, retirement plans, a CME allowance, and time off. They have less financial risk and administrative responsibilities. Neurosurgeons are typically employed by a hospital. Self-employed neurosurgeons have the potential for higher earnings, must find jobs, have more flexibility, and may/may not be provided with healthcare or a retirement plan.
Most common benefits for a Neurosurgeon
Being a Neurosurgeon comes with both professional and personal benefits including:
- Career Stability- The demand for neurosurgeons is expected to grow so finding a job will be easy.
- Intellectual Stimulation- Neurosurgery involves constant learning and problem-solving as the field is ever changing with new advancements in technology and techniques.
- Continuous Learning- As medicine evolves, neurosurgeons have an opportunity to continually learn and stay updated with the latest technologies. Many neurosurgeons are involved in research to improve the treatment options for their patients.
- Job Satisfaction- Neurosurgeons have a rewarding job to improve or save the lives of their patients through surgeries and treatments for patients with brain tumors, traumatic brain injuries, and cerebral aneurysms.
- Team Collaboration- Neurosurgeons often work closely with other medical specialists, including neurologists, oncologists, radiologists, and rehabilitation therapists to coordinate patient care.
- Financial Stability- Neurosurgery is one of the highest-paid medical specialties, providing financial stability and the potential for lucrative compensation.
- Respected Profession: Neurosurgeons are respected within the medical field. They are often thought of as leaders and experts in medicine.
Frequently Asked Questions for Neurosurgeons
What is the average salary for a Neurosurgeon?
The average salary can vary based on experience, location, and education. On average, a neurosurgeon in the United States may earn between $141,718 to $1,353,819 per year.
What factors influence the salary of a Neurosurgeon?
Geographical location, experience level, education, specialty, and the type of healthcare facility are all factors that influence a neurosurgeon’s salary.
How much do neurosurgeons earn compared to other medical specialties?
Neurosurgeons are among the highest-paid medical professionals due to the complexity of their work, extensive training, and the critical nature of the surgeries they perform. The salary of neurosurgeons is comparable to other surgical specialties such as orthopedic surgeons, cardiothoracic surgeons, and plastic surgeons. Neurosurgeons typically earn significantly more than primary care physicians.
What is the salary outlook for neurosurgeons in the future?
As the population ages and the incidence of neurological disorders such as stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease increases, there is likely to be an increase in the demand for services leading to stable or an increase in neurosurgeon salaries.
What is the earning potential for neurosurgeons who engage in research or teaching?
The earning potential for neurosurgeons who participate in research or teaching can vary depending on their academic rank, the institution they work for, their level of experience, and the amount of time they dedicate.
How to do an effective Neurosurgeon job search
It is easy to find a neurosurgeon position with PRN Healthcare. Find the “physicians” link at the top of our website. Use the position job search bar by searching “I am a MD” and select the specialty, “Neurosurgery.” Finally, use the location bar to select your state and city of choice.