Career Overview
Diagnose, manage, and treat disorders and diseases of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves, with a primarily nonsurgical focus.
Also Known As
- Adult and Pediatric Neurologist
- Neurologist
- Pediatric Neurologist
- Physician
Alternate Job Titles
- Adult and Pediatric Neurologist
- Adult Neurologist
- Child Neurologist
- Chiropractic Neurologist
- DO Physician (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Physician)
- Epileptologist
- General Neurologist
- Headache Specialist
- MD (Medical Doctor)
- Neurohospitalist
- Neurologist
- Neurology Physician
- Neurophysiologist
- Neurosurgery Physician
- Osteopathic Neurologist
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Interview patients to obtain information, such as complaints, symptoms, medical histories, and family histories.
- Examine patients to obtain information about functional status of areas, such as vision, physical strength, coordination, reflexes, sensations, language skills, cognitive abilities, and mental status.
- Perform or interpret the outcomes of procedures or diagnostic tests, such as lumbar punctures, electroencephalography, electromyography, and nerve conduction velocity tests.
- Order or interpret results of laboratory analyses of patients' blood or cerebrospinal fluid.
- Diagnose neurological conditions based on interpretation of examination findings, histories, or test results.
- Prescribe or administer medications, such as anti-epileptic drugs, and monitor patients for behavioral and cognitive side effects.
- Identify and treat major neurological system diseases and disorders, such as central nervous system infection, cranio spinal trauma, dementia, and stroke.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Medicine and Dentistry
- English Language
- Psychology
- Biology
- Therapy and Counseling
- Education and Training
- Computers and Electronics
- Chemistry
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mathematics
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Complex Problem Solving
- Writing
- Monitoring
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Science
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Inductive Reasoning
- Deductive Reasoning
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Written Comprehension
- Written Expression
- Speech Recognition
- Near Vision
- Information Ordering
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
- Self-Control
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Achievement
- Recognition
- Working Conditions
- Independence
- Relationships
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Post-Doctoral Training
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
On-the-Job Training: None or short demonstration
Education Details: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience Required: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- eClinicalWorks EHR software
- Epic Systems
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- Audio evoked potential testers
- Audio stimulators
- Auditory function screeners
- Automated external defibrillators AED
- Automatic blood pressure cuffs
- Babinski hammers
- Biofeedback units
- Cerebral oximeters
- Computed tomography CT scanners
- Diagnostic penlights
- Diagnostic tuning forks
- Digital audio recorders
- Digital video cameras
- Electroconvulsive therapy ECT units
- Electroencephalogram EEG signal spectrum analyzers
Work Environment
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Freedom to Make Decisions
- Contact With Others
- Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $83,500 |
| Median | >$239,200 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | >$239,200 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 7,700
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Pediatric Surgeons
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: >$239,200
Cardiologists
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: >$239,200
Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: >$239,200
General Internal Medicine Physicians
Education: Post-Doctoral Training
Median Salary: $236,350
Pediatricians, General
Education: Post-Doctoral Training
Median Salary: $210,130
Is This Career Right for You?
Discover your perfect career match with our free comprehensive assessment! Get personalized recommendations based on your interests, skills, and values.
Take the Free Career Assessment →
Want Personalized Guidance?
For customized career recommendations, college selection strategies, and expert application support, explore the MehtA+ Admissions Consulting Program. We help students identify the right opportunities and navigate the path to achieving their academic and career goals.
Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.