Brain Surgeon Salary

May 21, 2012 United States

Brain Surgeon Salary can be a big amount? Brain surgery is one of the most respected professions in the medical field, as well as being one of the most well-paying. This article gives more information about brain surgeon salary, as well as the things you will need to do in how to become a brain surgeon.

Brain surgeon job description

Before looking into brain surgeon salary, it’s important to look at what these doctors actually do. Brain surgeons, also known as neurosurgeons, do more than treat medical conditions involving the brain; they are also responsible for the proper diagnosis and treatment (particularly through surgery) of the whole nervous system, which means they also take care of the spinal column and the nerves in the body.

More often than not, the cases handled by brain surgeons involve brain tumors, aneurysms, and spinal problems resulting from physical trauma or wear and tear (such as herniated discs). It is the responsibility of the doctor to examine all of the possible avenues to effectively treat the patient. As such, while the expertise of these brain surgeons lie in surgery, it’s possible for them to recommend medications instead of operations to some of their patients, depending on the case. At times, brain surgeons may also need to provide counseling to their patients and their loved ones about the procedure that the patient will need to go through; including what is entailed in the operation, the complexity of the problem, and any possible risks the patient will be subjected to. Outside the hospital setting, these doctors may also serve as instructors or lecturers on their field of expertise to medical students to train them in what to expect in the field as a way to add or as part of brain surgeon salary. Some choose to work also as researchers to find out more about diseases involving the nervous system and discovering new treatments for these conditions.

Today, about 43% of neurosurgeons earning brain surgeon salary are in private practice, 32% are working in colleges and universities, and 2% are working for the federal government. There are doctors who are in private practice who agree to work in a locum tenens arrangement (that is, filling in for a doctor who is on leave) for other medical agencies.

Brain surgeon education requirements

If you want to earn brain surgeon salary, be aware that the training and education you will need to go through to become a neurosurgeon is very grueling. Neurosurgery is one of the most sensitive fields in medicine, which is why those who want to practice in the field will need to go through a lot of training in order to become eligible to practice in the field.

Those who want to earn brain surgeon salary will need to go through a minimum of 14 years training after they finish high school. This is broken down to four years of pre-med (undergraduate degree), another four years of medical school, and six years of residency. Residency is the term used to call the hands-on training these doctors will receive in the field of their choice. During this time, they will be trained in how to perform the tasks of a neurosurgeon. Included in their residency is a year in research training.

However, the education doesn’t just stop there. It’s possible for brain surgeons to receive training in subspecialties or take further studies (as in Master’s degree or Ph.D.) in order to get a higher level of brain surgeon salary. It’s not unheard of for a doctor to pursue 20 years worth of education before practicing as a brain surgeon. In addition to the amount of education these individuals will need to go through, they will also need to pass the licensing exam and become certified by the board to practice in the field and qualify for brain surgeon salary.

Of course, it isn’t just the educational requirements that you will need to fill in order to qualify for brain surgeon salary. Your personality will also play a key role in whether you will succeed as a brain surgeon or not. Not only do you need to have a good bedside manner to become an effective neurosurgeon, you will also need to be self-motivated, have a constant need to learn more about your field, be very careful and meticulous, and have the inner strength and confidence necessary to perform the roles of a brain surgeon.

Brain surgeon salary

There’s no denying that training to become a brain surgeon is quite intense, but brain surgeon salary you will be receiving is well worth it. Brain surgeon salary is one of the heftiest in the medical field, with neurosurgeons earning $470,000 (or $105 per hour) on average annually. The lowest level of brain surgeon salary earned by 10% of neurosurgeons is around $250,000 per year (or $58 per hour), while the highest level of brain surgeon salary can reach as high as over $900,000 annually (or over $150 per hour).

Aside from brain surgeon salary, neurosurgeons also enjoy a host of benefits, including having a good retirement plan and health insurance, time off, and social security.

Of course, brain surgeon salary is affected by several factors. These include:
• Experience and training. The more experience and training that you receive, the higher the amount of brain surgeon salary you will be receiving.
• Location. Where you practice can also affect how much you will be receiving. The five states known to pay surgeons best are Wyoming, Wisconsin, Oregon, New Jersey, and South Carolina.
• Employer. Brain surgeons in private practice earn a higher level of brain surgeon salary compared to those working in the academe or as researchers.
Experts are expecting a 14% increase in demand for brain surgeons between 2006 and 2016, owing to the perceived increase in need of the aging population for neurological care. As such, getting the training needed to become a brain surgeon can be very lucrative at this time. If you are interested in providing health care services, consider becoming a neurosurgeon. Not only is brain surgeon salary very attractive, the emotional compensation that you get from successfully treating your patients and getting to learn new things every day is well worth the long amount of training you will need to go through to become a brain surgeon.

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