Neuropsychologists: Job Description
Apply theories and principles of neuropsychology to evaluate and diagnose disorders of higher cerebral functioning, often in research and medical settings. Study the human brain and the effect of physiological states on human cognition and behavior. May formulate and administer programs of treatment.
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The Daily Work of Neuropsychologists Perform?
The day-to-day responsibilities of neuropsychologists cover:
- Conduct neuropsychological evaluations such as assessments of intelligence, academic ability, attention, concentration, sensorimotor function, language, learning, and memory.
- Write or prepare detailed clinical neuropsychological reports, using data from psychological or neuropsychological tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct observations, or interviews.
- Interview patients to obtain comprehensive medical histories.
- Diagnose and treat conditions involving injury to the central nervous system, such as cerebrovascular accidents, neoplasms, infectious or inflammatory diseases, degenerative diseases, head traumas, demyelinating diseases, and various forms of dementing illnesses.
- Establish neurobehavioral baseline measures for monitoring progressive cerebral disease or recovery.
- Provide education or counseling to individuals and families.
- Diagnose and treat pediatric populations for conditions such as learning disabilities with developmental or organic bases.
- Read current literature, talk with colleagues, and participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in neuropsychology.
Key Skills and Knowledge
Effective neuropsychologists combine a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Top Skills
The competencies most central to this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Types of Neuropsychologists Jobs
This career also goes by job titles like:
- Adult Neuropsychologist
- Aviation Neuropsychologist
- Board Certified Neuropsychologist
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychologist
- Forensic Neuropsychologist
- Neuropsychologist
- Neuropsychology Medical Consultant
- Pediatric Neuropsychologist
How Many Neuropsychologists Are There?
There are about 175,089 neuropsychologists working in the United States today. This occupation is expected to grow by +6.5% over the projection horizon.
How Much Do Neuropsychologists Make?
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $83,690 |
| Hourly median | $40.24 |
| 10th percentile | $52,006 |
| 25th percentile | $67,848 |
| 75th percentile | $99,532 |
| 90th percentile | $115,374 |
Wages vary widely based on experience, location, and industry.
Pay by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $147,650 |
| Oklahoma | $147,010 |
| Nevada | $144,390 |
| Nebraska | $137,990 |
| North Carolina | $137,130 |
| South Carolina | $135,950 |
| Tennessee | $135,570 |
| Alabama | $134,370 |
| Kansas | $133,540 |
| Connecticut | $132,040 |
| Ohio | $131,310 |
| South Dakota | $128,560 |
| Massachusetts | $128,180 |
| Arizona | $128,040 |
| Missouri | $127,230 |
| Pennsylvania | $126,460 |
| Virginia | $125,630 |
| New Jersey | $124,800 |
| Kentucky | $124,550 |
| Indiana | $123,880 |
| Iowa | $123,740 |
| Florida | $123,610 |
| Maryland | $123,490 |
| Idaho | $122,720 |
| Puerto Rico | $120,270 |
| Washington | $120,080 |
| Colorado | $118,640 |
| Arkansas | $118,600 |
| District of Columbia | $117,960 |
| New York | $113,730 |
| Georgia | $113,730 |
| Louisiana | $113,620 |
| Mississippi | $111,430 |
| Rhode Island | $111,310 |
| Minnesota | $110,190 |
| Wisconsin | $107,540 |
| Utah | $90,270 |
| Oregon | $82,960 |
| Texas | $81,830 |
| Illinois | $81,270 |
| Michigan | $78,670 |
| Vermont | $76,490 |
| New Hampshire | $75,990 |
| Maine | $63,490 |
| West Virginia | $41,900 |
Where Neuropsychologists Earn the Most
Earnings for neuropsychologists differ across the country. Top regions by median wage:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Far Western US | $129,810 | 16.6% | 1.27 |
| Plains States | $120,900 | 5.3% | 0.88 |
| Middle Atlantic | $120,815 | 15.9% | 1.29 |
| Other U.S. Territories | $120,270 | 0.4% | 0.67 |
| Southeast | $120,151 | 21.7% | 1.00 |
| Rocky Mountains | $119,237 | 2.4% | 1.00 |
| New England | $105,682 | 7.2% | 1.92 |
| Great Lakes | $99,377 | 15.9% | 1.56 |
Highest-Paying Metro Areas for Neuropsychologists
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | CA | $169,330 | 110 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | CA | $160,640 | 500 |
| Fresno, CA | CA | $157,240 | 40 |
| Reno, NV | NV | $151,900 | 30 |
| Asheville, NC | NC | $149,990 | 50 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | OK | $147,910 | |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | NC | $147,830 | 40 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | CA | $146,350 | 240 |
Industry Breakdown
The largest employers of neuropsychologists are found across these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 7,200 | $81,270 |
| Educational Services | 980 | $80,130 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 300 | $102,990 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 100 | $112,250 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | 40 | $140,730 |
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Tech Stack
- Analytical or scientific software: IBM SPSS Statistics (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
The Day-to-Day Environment
The on-the-job environment of neuropsychologists tends to involve the following characteristics:
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Freedom to Make Decisions
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Spend Time Sitting
How to Become Neuropsychologists
This career aligns with Extensive Preparation Needed (Job Zone 5), indicating the level of preparation typically expected.
Other Careers to Consider
Similar Occupations
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologists (Primary-Short)
- School Psychologists (Supplemental)
- Clinical Neuropsychologists (Primary-Short)
- Mental Health Counselors (Supplemental)
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (Supplemental)
- Occupational Therapists (Primary-Long)
- Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses (Primary-Long)
- Clinical Nurse Specialists (Primary-Long)
Where to Study
Aspiring neuropsychologists often complete programs in:
Psychology
24 programs across 4 majors
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences
3 programs across 1 majors
Social Sciences
1 programs across 1 majors
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
1 programs across 1 majors
References
This profile draws on the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 19-3039.02 (Psychologists, All Other).
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