Neurosurgeon salary: how much does a neurosurgeon make?
Neurosurgeons are the highest-paid doctors in the US: full-time neurosurgeons averaged $829,161 a year in Doximity's 2026 compensation report. BLS doesn't publish neurosurgeons separately; it counts them in “surgeons, all other,” whose median is $414,010 with the top 10% over $655,320.
Neurosurgeon salary vs. other specialties
Average annual compensation of full-time physicians, Doximity Physician Compensation Report 2026:
| Specialty | Average per year |
|---|---|
| Neurosurgery | $829,161 |
| Thoracic surgery | $749,707 |
| Orthopedic surgery | $696,852 |
| Plastic surgery | $625,757 |
| Radiology | $609,684 |
| Cardiology | $604,635 |
| Anesthesiology | $557,131 |
| General surgery | $501,003 |
| Dermatology | $497,509 |
| Family medicine | $325,040 |
| Pediatrics | $273,665 |
BLS pay range for the surgeons group
BLS May 2025 figures for “surgeons, all other” (29-1249), the group that includes neurosurgeons. It also includes other surgical specialists, so treat it as a lower bound:
| Pay level | Per year | ≈ Per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Bottom 10% | $80,320 | $38.62 |
| Lower 25% | $134,850 | $64.83 |
| Median | $414,010 | $199.04 |
| Upper 25% | $511,420 | $245.88 |
| Top 10% | $655,320 | $315.06 |
Neurosurgeon salary by state
BLS state medians for the “surgeons, all other” group, where published. State figures for small groups swing a lot from year to year.
| State | Median per year |
|---|---|
| North Dakota | $604,890 |
| Minnesota | $568,150 |
| Ohio | $554,220 |
| Oklahoma | $553,790 |
| New Hampshire | $534,870 |
| Georgia | $502,070 |
| Washington | $479,460 |
| West Virginia | $468,210 |
| Indiana | $459,300 |
| Vermont | $438,530 |
| Illinois | $438,010 |
| New Jersey | $437,890 |
| Florida | $429,990 |
| Wisconsin | $416,000 |
| Arizona | $415,980 |
| Michigan | $412,460 |
| New York | $410,410 |
| North Carolina | $398,410 |
| Wyoming | $387,880 |
| Massachusetts | $387,150 |
| Tennessee | $373,510 |
| Iowa | $370,390 |
| New Mexico | $363,940 |
| Virginia | $360,510 |
| Nebraska | $341,410 |
| Maryland | $328,700 |
| Nevada | $326,520 |
| Louisiana | $304,830 |
| Arkansas | $254,940 |
| Texas | $222,820 |
| Idaho | $211,490 |
| Rhode Island | $199,990 |
| Mississippi | $180,420 |
| Kentucky | $162,160 |
| Connecticut | $161,680 |
| California | $131,990 |
Why neurosurgeons earn so much
Neurosurgery training is among the longest in medicine: 4 years of medical school and a 7-year residency. Procedures are complex, emergency call is frequent, and the supply of neurosurgeons is small. Pay rises further with spine surgery volume and private-practice partnership, which BLS doesn't count.
Neurosurgeon take-home pay by state (2026)
2026 federal brackets and standard deduction, Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% plus 0.9% above $200,000 ($250,000 joint), and each state's 2026 income tax. Local income taxes, state disability or paid-leave payroll taxes and other deductions are not included. Estimate only, not tax advice.
Common questions
How much does a neurosurgeon make?
Full-time neurosurgeons averaged $829,161 a year in Doximity's 2026 report, the highest of any specialty.
What is the BLS figure for neurosurgeons?
BLS includes neurosurgeons in “surgeons, all other”: median $414,010, top 10% over $655,320 (May 2025).
How much does a neurosurgeon make a month?
At $829,161 a year, about $69,097 a month before taxes.
Are neurosurgeons the highest-paid doctors?
Yes, in Doximity's 2026 report, ahead of thoracic surgery ($749,707) and orthopedic surgery ($696,852).
How long does it take to become a neurosurgeon?
Usually 4 years of college, 4 years of medical school and a 7-year neurosurgery residency, sometimes followed by a fellowship.
Sources
- Becker's Hospital Review: Doximity Physician Compensation Report 2026 specialty list
- BLS: Occupational Employment and Wages, surgeons, all other (29-1249)
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Physicians and surgeons
Related
Last reviewed November 5, 2026. Doximity figures are averages self-reported by full-time physicians; BLS figures are medians for employees only, so the two measure different things. Figures are gross pay before taxes and benefits. General information, not career or financial advice.