The average neurologist salary in the United States is approximately $280,000 to $320,000 per year. Salaries vary based on factors such as location, experience, and practice type. Neurologists in metropolitan or high-demand areas may earn over $350,000 annually, while those in academic settings may earn less.
What Does a Neurologist Earn Today?
The average annual salary for neurologists in 2025 ranges from $280,000 to $320,000, according to national data. Salary varies depending on several factors including location, practice setting, experience level, and subspecialty.
Neurologist Salary Table (United States, 2025)
| Source | Average Salary | Salary Range | Notable High Earners / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZipRecruiter | $347,715 | $83,500 – $400,000 | Top 10% earn $400,000 |
| Salary.com | $291,300 | $221,187 – $387,969 | Most earn $254,600 – $341,900 |
| Indeed | $282,024 | Not specified | Data from 2,000+ job postings |
| Glassdoor | $279,219 (median) | Up to $414,889 (total pay) | Median salary, total pay includes bonuses |
| Jobted | $229,450 | $117,450 – $388,900 | Total pay can reach $469,300 with bonuses |
| RosmanSearch | Varies | $300,000 – $600,000+ | Interventional neurologists can exceed $600,000 |
| Barton Associates | $255,510–$313,000 | Locum: up to $520,000 | Locum tenens can earn significantly more |
| Marit | $355,089 | Not specified |
Key Insight: High-demand specialties and private practice roles in large cities like New York and Los Angeles offer the highest compensation.
What Does a Neurologist Do?
Neurologists diagnose and treat disorders of the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system. They manage conditions such as epilepsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and movement disorders.
Common Tasks:
- Examine patients with neurological symptoms
- Prescribe treatments for neurological conditions
- Coordinate care with neurosurgeons and rehabilitation teams
Neurologists often specialize further, increasing their compensation and focus. For example, pediatric neurology or vascular neurologists deal with specific patient populations or disease types.
Average Neurologist Salary by Experience Level
Neurologists earn more as they gain experience. Entry-level neurologists earn around $220,000–$260,000, while those with over 15 years of experience often exceed $350,000.
Breakdown by Career Stage:
- Entry-level (0–3 years): $220,000–$260,000
- Mid-career (4–10 years): $270,000–$330,000
- Senior (10+ years): $330,000–$400,000+
Private practice owners typically earn more than hospital employees, especially after paying off student loan debt and building a steady patient base.
Neurologist Salary by Location
Location significantly affects neurologist wages. States with physician shortages or higher living costs often offer more pay.
Highest Paying States in 2025:
- California – up to $390,000
- Florida – $300,000–$360,000
- New York – $320,000–$370,000
- Oklahoma – $280,000–$330,000
- Pennsylvania – $270,000–$325,000
In urban hospitals, neurologists often receive bonuses and signing incentives due to workforce shortages. In rural areas, some practice environments offer loan forgiveness or relocation packages.
Public vs. Private Practice Salaries
Private practice neurologists usually earn more than hospital-employed or academic counterparts.
Comparison by Practice Setting:
- Private practice owners: $350,000–$450,000
- Hospital-employed: $280,000–$350,000
- Academic institutions: $200,000–$280,000
Academic neurologists may receive less direct pay but benefit from job stability, research funding, and lighter patient loads. Those in private practice face more business overhead but gain from higher revenue sharing and autonomy.
Neurology Subspecialty Salaries
Subspecializing in areas like interventional neurology or neurocritical care leads to higher income.
Common High-Paying Subspecialties:
- Interventional Neurology: $400,000–$600,000+
- Neurocritical Care: $325,000–$450,000
- Neurohospitalist: $300,000–$375,000
- Epileptologist: $280,000–$360,000
Vascular neurologists and neuro-oncologists also earn above average, especially in high-volume centers.
Is a Career in Neurology Financially Worth It?
Yes, neurology is financially rewarding and offers long-term stability. While the path requires extensive education and training, often 12+ years before full employment—the compensation, respectful professional status, and job demand are strong.
Benefits include:
- High fair market value
- Growing disease burden from aging populations
- Diverse practice opportunities (e.g., academic, hospital, private)
The income trajectory continues to increase over time, especially for those who specialize or work in underserved regions.
Typical Qs
Below are common questions that get asked.
How much more can interventional neurologists earn compared to general neurologists?
Interventional neurologists can earn $400,000 to over $600,000, while general neurologists typically earn between $220,000 and $350,000.
Do locum tenens neurologists actually make more than permanent staff, and why?
Yes. Locum neurologists can earn up to $520,000, about 66% more than average. This happens because of higher hourly rates and the flexibility to take more assignments.
Are neurologist salaries significantly different depending on practice setting (academic vs. private practice)?
Yes. Academic neurologists often earn $200,000–$280,000, while private practice or hospital-employed neurologists typically earn $280,000–$450,000.
What is the impact of subspecialization (like neurocritical care or neurohospitalist) on salary potential?
Subspecialists in neurocritical care earn $325,000–$450,000. Neurohospitalists earn $300,000–$375,000. This is significantly higher than many general neurology roles.
Conclusion
Neurology offers high income, diverse job settings, and excellent long-term prospects. The average salary continues to grow, especially in specialty areas and private practice environments. The field’s strong demand, due to the aging population and increasing incidence of brain and spinal cord disorders, ensures continued opportunity across all states, especially in cities like New York, Florida, and Oklahoma.
