How Much Does a Neurosurgeon Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$414,010
Neurosurgeons in the U.S. earn a median of $414,010 a year, or $199.04 an hour. Half of neurosurgeons earn more than $414,010 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $655,320.
Pay percentiles for neurosurgeons
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38.62 | $80,320 |
| 25th | $64.83 | $134,850 |
| 50th (median) | $199.04 | $414,010 |
| 75th | $245.87 | $511,420 |
| 90th | $315.06 | $655,320 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Surgeons, All Other (SOC 29-1249). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for neurosurgeons
| State | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Alaska | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Colorado | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Delaware | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Kansas | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Maine | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Missouri | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Oregon | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Pennsylvania | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| South Carolina | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| United States | $414,010 | $199.04 |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. "+" marks wages above the highest figure BLS publishes ($239,200 a year / $115.00 an hour). Those states are listed first, alphabetically. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many neurosurgeons are there?
BLS counts about 25,140 neurosurgeons employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Surgeons, All Other”. The most jobs are in New York (4,540), Florida (2,260) and Texas (1,710).
The mean (average) annual wage is $373,930, lower than the median of $414,010.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $34,501
- Biweekly
- $15,923
- Weekly
- $7,962
- Daily (8 hours)
- $1,592
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do neurosurgeons make an hour?
The median hourly wage for neurosurgeons is $199.04. The middle 50% earn between $64.83 and $245.87 an hour.
Which state pays neurosurgeons the most?
Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Delaware, Kansas, Maine, Missouri, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and South Dakota report a median wage of more than $239,200 for neurosurgeons, the highest level BLS publishes, so an exact ranking among them is not available.
What is the starting salary for neurosurgeons?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of neurosurgeons earn less than $80,320 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.