As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Neurosurgeon in the United States is $723,201 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $348.
However, a Neurosurgeon's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2025 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered HR
AI Onboarding
A Neurosurgeon's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Neurosurgeon's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Neurosurgeon | $690,095 |
| Intermediate Level Neurosurgeon | $696,244 |
| Senior Level Neurosurgeon | $704,853 |
| Specialist Level Neurosurgeon | $765,420 |
| Expert Level Neurosurgeon | $797,010 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Neurosurgeons. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Leadership | 4.1% |
| Acute Care | 4.4% |
| Medical Education | 3.03% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Geriatrics
|
$788,289 |
9%
|
|
Insight
|
$781,057 |
8%
|
|
Medical Education
|
$773,825 |
7%
|
|
Oncology
|
$773,825 |
7%
|
|
Hematology
|
$766,593 |
6%
|
|
Acute Care
|
$752,129 |
4%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Neurosurgeons enter the field with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Neurosurgeon with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent is between $644,077 and $741,201).
Neurosurgeon Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 3.4% |
| High School | 3.4% |
| Associates | 5.3% |
| Bachelors | 2.9% |
| Masters | 5.3% |
| Doctorate | 88.4% |
Understanding how a Neurosurgeon's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on April 01, 2026Salaries for a Neurosurgeon can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $231,993 in 2023 to around $226,789 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Neurosurgeon salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $231,993 |
| 2024 | $237,504 |
| 2025 | $226,789 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Neurosurgeon and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Neurosurgeon job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Neurosurgeons earn substantial salaries, with figures ranging from a minimum of $519,001 to a mid-level salary of $689,301, and reaching up to a maximum of $872,201 annually. This reflects the high level of expertise and specialization required in the field, making neurosurgeons among the higher earners in the medical profession.
The top neurosurgeons in the world command impressive salaries, with a minimum of $519,001, a mid-range of $689,301, and a maximum of $872,201. Notable figures include Dr. Gerardo Conesa Bertran, Dr. Pietro Mortini, and Dr. Philip E. Stieg, each bringing years of experience and expertise to the field. Their contributions significantly impact neurosurgery and patient care.
Becoming a neurosurgeon is extremely challenging. It requires acceptance into medical school, completing rigorous training, and successfully matching into a neurosurgery residency. The effort is reflected in the salary, with neurosurgeons earning between $519,001 and $872,201, with a median salary of $689,301, highlighting the high level of expertise and commitment needed in this field.
The best universities for neurosurgery, based on reputation, include the University of California (San Francisco), Barrow Neurological Institute, and Johns Hopkins University. Neurosurgeons can expect salaries ranging from $519,001 to $872,201, with a median salary of $689,301, reflecting the high demand and specialized skills in this field.
Neurosurgeons in the United States earn some of the highest salaries globally, with a range from $519,001 to $872,201 annually. This significantly surpasses earnings in countries like Canada, where salaries range from $250,000 to $500,000, and the United Kingdom, where they range from £100,000 to £300,000.
A neurosurgeon is the highest-paid doctor on our list. Neurosurgery involves surgery of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. Aspiring neurosurgeons must complete at least a seven-year residency. The salary range for neurosurgeons is between $519,001 and $872,201, with a mid-salary of $689,301, placing them at the top of our list.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
