Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Doctoral or professional degree
None
Internship/residency
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Neurologists are specialized physicians who work in a field that combines advanced science, critical analysis, and complex decision making. This career requires strong problem solving, detail orientation, and interpersonal abilities, supported by a doctoral or professional degree. National employment stands at 8,000, with projected growth of 5.4%, indicating continued demand for these professionals. The role calls for critical and analytical thinking, adaptability, and comfort with science, writing and reading, and computers and information technology. Leadership and project management skills are also important, suggesting that neurologists may frequently coordinate work, manage complex situations, and guide others. Career opportunities vary by location, with several states and metro areas showing especially strong opportunity scores. For students and professionals who enjoy rigorous scientific thinking, precision, and working closely with people, neurology offers a structured path with a clear advanced education requirement and measurable growth prospects across multiple regions.
Earnings for neurologists vary significantly by location, with several states and metro areas offering notably high median salaries. Among the top states by opportunity score, Texas reports a median salary of $360,640, California $357,080, Colorado $356,250, and Washington $327,140. New York’s median salary is $155,990. At the metro level, Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX has a median of $360,640, Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $356,250, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $331,080, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $161,560, and Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $136,030. These figures show substantial differences between regions, with some states and metros offering more than double the median salary of others. Prospective neurologists can use these data points to weigh potential earning potential when deciding where to train, practice, or relocate over the course of their careers.
Neurologists have national employment of 8,000, with projected employment growth of 5.4%. This positive growth projection suggests that the field is expected to expand over time. The data show 0 annual openings, which indicates that detailed information on yearly hiring needs is not provided. However, the presence of a specific projected growth rate for the occupation, along with reported employment levels in multiple states and metro areas, points to an established profession with measurable labor-market activity. Growth of 5.4% is also reflected consistently across the top states and metro areas listed, suggesting a similar projected pace of change in those locations. For individuals planning a long-term career path, these metrics provide a baseline view of overall expansion in the field, even though precise annual hiring numbers are unavailable. When combined with the advanced education requirement, this outlook supports planning for a specialized, long-duration career.
Location plays a major role in neurologist career opportunities, as shown by state and metro opportunity scores, salaries, and employment levels. Among states, California (opportunity score 67.38) and New York (65.78) rank highest, followed by Colorado (56.97), Washington (56.29), and Texas (51.57). New York has the largest reported employment at 2,810, while California has 1,090, Texas 660, Washington 180, and Colorado 120. Median salaries differ sharply, from $155,990 in New York up to $360,640 in Texas. At the metro level, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV has the top metro opportunity score at 64.47, followed by Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA (61.92), Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO (57.05), Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN (55.57), and Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX (55.08). These metros also show wide salary variation, from $136,030 in Chicago to $360,640 in Dallas. Together, these data highlight that both opportunity and pay can vary substantially between regions.
Neurologists typically need a doctoral or professional degree, reflecting the advanced and specialized nature of this medical career. This level of education aligns with the field’s emphasis on science, critical and analytical thinking, and complex decision making. Problem solving and decision making are central skills, supported by strong detail orientation and adaptability. Interpersonal skills are also highlighted, indicating that working effectively with others is an important component of the role. The inclusion of writing and reading underscores the need to understand and communicate complex information clearly. Leadership and project management skills suggest responsibility for organizing work and guiding processes or teams. Comfort with computers and information technology is also important, pointing to the use of digital tools in professional activities. For students planning their path, this combination of a doctoral or professional degree and a broad, sophisticated skill set defines the core preparation needed to enter and grow in this field.
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