What it is
Neurologists diagnose and treat disorders of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles — stroke, epilepsy, Parkinson's, MS, migraine, and more — medically (not surgically).
What you do
They evaluate neurological symptoms, interpret tests (EEG, EMG, imaging), and manage chronic neurological disease.
Training path & length
4-year residency (after a preliminary year), with fellowships.
Fellowship subspecialties
Fellowships include vascular/stroke neurology, epilepsy, movement disorders, neuromuscular medicine, neurocritical care, and sleep medicine.
Pay & job outlook
Physicians are among the highest-paid professionals. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median wage of $275,930 for physicians and surgeons (May 2025), with employment projected to grow about 4% from 2025 to 2035 and ~22,100 openings per year. Pay varies widely by specialty — procedural and surgical fields generally earn more, primary-care and pediatric fields less.
Neurologists earn around or above the physician median.
How to get there
Become a physician first: earn an MD or DO, then match into this residency through the national match. Licensure requires completing residency and passing the board exams.
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Key facts
- Residency4 years
- TreatsBrain, spinal cord, nerves, muscles
- FellowshipsStroke, epilepsy, movement, neuromuscular
- ApproachMedical (non-surgical)
- EntryMD or DO via the match