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Neurologist: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 29, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$248,560median pay per year, or $119.50 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $83,370lowest 10% earn less
  2. $155,99025th percentile
  3. $248,560median
  4. $357,99075th percentile
  5. $450,780top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

A neurologist had a median pay of $248,560 a year in May 2025[1]. Jobs are projected to grow 6.4% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[2][3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+6.4%[2]
Openings per year
300[6]
Typical entry education
Doctoral or professional degree[7]

How much do neurologists make?

The median wage for neurologists was $248,560 a year, or $119.50 an hour[1]. Half of them earned more and half earned less. The average was $267,630 a year, or $128.67 an hour[8]. For comparison, the median for all occupations was $50,980[5].

The range is wide. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $83,370, and the lowest-paid 25% earned less than $155,990[4]. At the top, the highest-paid 25% earned more than $357,990, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $450,780[4]. BLS does not publish a starting salary. It publishes percentile wages, which are boundaries in the pay range[9].

These figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed and do not include bonuses outside regular production pay or the cost of benefits[10].

Measure Hourly Annual
10th percentile[11][4] $40.08 $83,370
25th percentile[11][4] $75.00 $155,990
Median[1] $119.50 $248,560
75th percentile[11][4] $172.11 $357,990
90th percentile[11][4] $216.72 $450,780

Pay by state and city

Vermont had the highest state median at $434,730, followed by Arizona at $409,610 and Minnesota at $381,670[12]. Published state data covers 28 states and DC[12]. Some states show a median of $239,200 or more[12].

New York had the most neurologist jobs at 2,810, then California at 1,090, Ohio at 940, Texas at 660 and Florida at 520[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs[14], Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX had the highest median at $360,640. Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington came next at $335,420, then Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue at $331,080[14]. Dallas-Fort Worth also had the most jobs among listed metros, at 300[15].

Show median pay in 28 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
Vermont[12]$434,73040
Arizona$409,61080
Minnesota$381,670310
Texas$360,640660
California$357,0801,090
Colorado$356,250120
Alaska$354,760100
South Carolina$352,68040
Wisconsin$342,520130
Kentucky$338,850230
District of Columbia$332,00050
Washington$327,140180
North Carolina$325,550180
Florida$322,750520
Connecticut$320,680120
Arkansas$317,88070
Maryland$302,840n/a
Nebraska$269,27080
Kansas$239,200+60
Maine$239,200+50
Oregon$239,200+n/a
Pennsylvania$239,200+30
Utah$239,200+100
Illinois$237,080240
Tennessee$229,670220
New Jersey$222,120140
Indiana$220,210360
New York$155,9902,810
West Virginia$63,50060

How to become a neurologist

BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry education, with internship or residency as the usual training[7]. The training details below come from a BLS profile that covers physicians and surgeons as a wider group[16].

Some doctors add a fellowship of 1 to 3 years for a subspecialty[20]. Board certification in a specialty is not required, but it may improve job options[23].

In an O*NET survey of 22 neurologists, 64% said post-doctoral training was required and 29% said a doctoral degree[24].

What neurologists do

Neurologists diagnose and treat disorders of the brain, spinal cord and nerves, mostly without surgery[25]. Typical tasks include:

Where they work

The BLS profile for physicians and surgeons says they work in clinical settings such as offices and hospitals, and in nonclinical ones such as government agencies, nonprofits and insurers[27]. In group practices, doctors can coordinate care but have less independence than solo practitioners[28]. About 3.7% of neurologists were self-employed in 2025[29].

For physicians and surgeons as a group, BLS says most work full time and some work more than 40 hours a week[30]. Long shifts, overnight hours and being on call are common[30].

Job outlook

BLS projects neurologist employment to grow 6.4%[2] from 2025 to 2035, from about 11,400 to 12,100 jobs[2]. That is a gain of 700 jobs[2]. Growth for all occupations is projected at 3.5%[3].

About 300 openings a year are projected on average[6]. Openings include jobs left by people who retire or change occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 1.8% of neurologists leave the labor force and 0.4% move to another occupation[31].

Is it a good fit?

The facts show a job with high pay and growth above the all-occupation rate[1][2][3]. The cost is a long path. Medical school takes 4 years and residency usually takes 3 to 9 years, based on the wider physician profile[18][20]. Pay also varies a lot, from $83,370 at the 10th percentile to $450,780 at the 90th[4]. Work schedules for physicians can include long shifts and on-call time[30].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[32].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a neurologist make a year?
The median was $248,560 a year in May 2025, and the average was $267,630[1][8].
How much does a neurologist make an hour?
The median was $119.50 an hour[1].
What degree do you need to be a neurologist?
BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree, with internship or residency training[7].
How long does it take to become a neurologist?
For physicians and surgeons, medical school takes an additional 4 years and residency typically lasts 3 to 9 years[18][20].
Is neurology in demand?
Employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations[2][3].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Neurologists in the US was $248,560 per year and $119.50 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Neurologists is projected to grow 6.4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 11,400 to 12,100 jobs (a change of +700). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Neurologists: 10th percentile $83,370, 25th percentile $155,990, 75th percentile $357,990, 90th percentile $450,780. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 300 openings for Neurologists are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Neurologists: education needed for entry: Doctoral or professional degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Internship/residency. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Neurologists was $267,630 per year and $128.67 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Neurologists: 10th percentile $40.08, 25th percentile $75.00, 75th percentile $172.11, 90th percentile $216.72. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Neurologists in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Neurologists jobs: New York 2,810; California 1,090; Ohio 940; Texas 660; Florida 520. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Neurologists (areas with at least 100 jobs): Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $360,640; Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $335,420; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $331,080; Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $277,960; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $161,560; Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $136,030; Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $101,210. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Neurologists jobs: Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 300 (median $360,640); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 190 (median $161,560); Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN 180 (median $101,210); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 170 (median $136,030); Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 130 (median $331,080); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 120 (median $277,960). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Physicians and Surgeons" covers Neurologists together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. O*NET 29-1217.00 survey of workers (22 respondents), education level they say is required: Post-Doctoral Training 64%, Doctoral Degree 29% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  25. O*NET description of Neurologists. O*NET OnLine
  26. O*NET task list for Neurologists. O*NET OnLine
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. BLS Employment Projections: 3.7% of Neurologists were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Neurologists: 1.8% of workers leave the labor force each year and 0.4% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  32. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.