What is a neurosurgeon and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read

In the course of our lives, it is possible that our bodies will develop diseases that affect our internal organs. Sometimes, these diseases target the nervous system, which includes the brain, the spine, and nerves. There are many experts who can help with problems related to the nervous system. In case there is surgery involved in addressing the concerns, one of those experts is the neurosurgeon.

Neurosurgeons are surgeons who specialize in surgeries that involve the nervous system. They operate on people with problems in their brain, in their spine, or with their nerves. They also provide consultations on cases that may not be directly related to the nervous system but may affect it during operations. Neurosurgeons are expected to find the best way to treat their patients and to reduce risks. Since the nervous system is delicate, neurosurgeons are also expected to be able to navigate the system. They should also be able to quickly identify alternatives in case there are problems during the surgery.

If you are an aspiring surgeon with an affinity for the nervous system, this is a good specialization for you. If you choose to pursue this, you need to have steady hands and should be able to display grace under pressure during surgeries.

ScoreNeurosurgeonUS Average
Salary
10.0

Avg. Salary $365,411

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
10.0

Growth Rate 7%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
1.4
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.14%

Asian 12.67%

Black or African American 1.81%

Hispanic or Latino 5.01%

Unknown 3.76%

White 76.60%

Gender

female 67.86%

male 32.14%

Age - 47
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 47
Stress Level
10.0

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
10.0

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
3.4

Work Life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a neurosurgeon

  1. Explore neurosurgeon education requirements

    Most common neurosurgeon degrees

    Doctorate

    27.5 %

    Bachelor's

    26.4 %

    Master's

    14.3 %
  2. Start to develop specific neurosurgeon skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Patients37.15%
    Patient Care17.43%
    CME10.85%
    Medical Care8.59%
    Neurosurgical8.49%
  3. Research neurosurgeon duties and responsibilities

    • Manage all incoming medical records requests (ensuring office is within HIPPA guidelines).
    • Evaluate and treat surgical and non-surgical patients.
    • Maintain cleanliness of examination and injection rooms between patients.
    • Cooperate with Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance providers to resolve billing
  4. Apply for neurosurgeon jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a neurosurgeon job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Neurosurgeon Job

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Average neurosurgeon salary

The average Neurosurgeon salary in the United States is $365,411 per year or $176 per hour. Neurosurgeon salaries range between $188,000 and $709,000 per year.

Average Neurosurgeon Salary
$365,411 Yearly
$175.68 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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