Neuropsychologist Salary
Neuropsychologists earn an estimated median salary of $108,500 per year, with board-certified specialists in hospital and private practice settings earning significantly more.
Taylor Rupe
B.A. in Psychology, University of Washington — Seattle
Key Takeaways
- Neuropsychologists earn an estimated median salary of $108,500, with the top earners exceeding $165,000 per year.
- The BLS "Psychologists, All Other" category reports a median of $106,420, but NAN survey data indicates neuropsychologists specifically earn above this figure.
- Board certification through ABCN is a major salary differentiator — board-certified neuropsychologists earn 15–25% more than non-certified peers.
- Hospital-based neuropsychologists in academic medical centers typically earn $110,000–$150,000, while those in private practice can exceed $180,000.
- The field requires extensive post-doctoral training (2-year fellowship), but this investment pays off with salaries among the highest in clinical psychology.
Clinical neuropsychologists evaluate and treat cognitive and behavioral problems related to brain injuries, neurological diseases, and developmental conditions. They administer comprehensive neuropsychological test batteries, interpret results, and develop treatment recommendations for patients with traumatic brain injuries, strokes, dementia, epilepsy, and other neurological conditions.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks neuropsychologist salaries under "Psychologists, All Other" (SOC 19-3039). However, data from the National Academy of Neuropsychology and ABCN suggests neuropsychologists earn above the SOC category average due to the specialized nature of neuropsychological assessment and the extensive post-doctoral training required.
How Much Do Neuropsychologists Make?
Neuropsychologist salary data draws from both the Bureau of Labor Statistics "Psychologists, All Other" category (SOC 19-3039, median $106,420) and specialty-specific surveys from the National Academy of Neuropsychology.
The estimated neuropsychologist-specific median of $108,500 reflects that neuropsychologists command a premium within the broader "All Other" psychologists category due to the specialized nature of neuropsychological assessment, the 2-year post-doctoral fellowship requirement, and the billing rates for neuropsychological testing (typically $200–$350 per hour of face-to-face testing time).
10th Percentile
$65,000
Median
$108,500
90th Percentile
$165,000
Neuropsychologist Salary by State
| State | Median Salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| California | $128,500 | 1,200+ |
| New York | $124,300 | 980+ |
| New Jersey | $122,700 | 420+ |
| Massachusetts | $120,100 | 650+ |
| Washington | $116,800 | 380+ |
| Maryland | $115,200 | 350+ |
| Virginia | $112,400 | 480+ |
| Colorado | $110,900 | 290+ |
| Texas | $105,600 | 790+ |
| Florida | $100,200 | 850+ |
Neuropsychologist Salary by Experience Level
| Experience Level | Salary |
|---|---|
| Post-Doctoral Fellow | $50,000–$65,000 |
| Early Career (1–3 years post-fellowship) | $85,000–$105,000 |
| Mid-Career (4–10 years) | $105,000–$140,000 |
| Senior (10+ years) | $135,000–$180,000+ |
Neuropsychologist Salary by Employer Type
| Employer Type | Salary |
|---|---|
| Private Neuropsychology Practice | $120,000–$200,000+ |
| Academic Medical Centers | $105,000–$150,000 |
| VA Medical Centers | $100,000–$140,000 |
| Rehabilitation Hospitals | $95,000–$125,000 |
| Forensic/Independent Medical Exams | $130,000–$200,000+ |
Neuropsychologist Salary by Education Level
| Education Level | Salary |
|---|---|
| PhD in Clinical Psychology + Neuropsych Fellowship | $100,000–$140,000 |
| PsyD + Neuropsych Fellowship | $95,000–$130,000 |
| PhD/PsyD + ABCN Board Certification | $115,000–$180,000+ |
How to Increase Your Neuropsychologist Salary
Neuropsychologists have strong earning potential, particularly those who invest in board certification and develop expertise in high-demand assessment areas. The American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology reports that board-certified neuropsychologists consistently earn more than their non-certified peers and are preferred for hospital-based positions and forensic work.
- Pursue ABCN board certification — it's the gold standard in the field and can increase your salary by 15–25%, particularly for hospital and forensic positions.
- Build a private neuropsychological assessment practice. Neuropsych evaluations typically bill at $2,500–$5,000 per comprehensive evaluation, making private practice extremely lucrative.
- Develop expertise in forensic neuropsychology — independent medical examinations (IMEs) and legal consultations pay premium rates of $300–$500+ per hour.
- Target positions at academic medical centers or VA hospitals, which offer competitive salaries plus academic titles, research time, and federal benefits (VA).
- Specialize in high-demand populations like pediatric neuropsychology, geriatric/dementia assessment, or concussion/TBI evaluation where qualified specialists are scarce.
Related Pages
How to Become a Neuropsychologist
Education, post-doctoral training, and board certification requirements for neuropsychologists.
Clinical Psychologist Salary
Compare neuropsychologist pay with the broader clinical psychology specialty.
Best Online PsyD Programs
Doctoral programs that can lead to a neuropsychology career (with additional fellowship).
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on a median salary of $108,500, neuropsychologists earn approximately $52.16 per hour in salaried positions. However, neuropsychological evaluations are billed at significantly higher rates — typically $200–$350 per hour of face-to-face testing time. A comprehensive neuropsych evaluation (6–8 hours of testing plus scoring and report writing) can bill at $2,500–$5,000 total.
Yes, on average. Neuropsychologists earn an estimated median of $108,500, compared to $95,830 for clinical psychologists. The premium reflects the additional 2-year post-doctoral fellowship required, the specialized nature of neuropsychological assessment, and the higher billing rates for testing services compared to psychotherapy.
Neuropsychology is one of the highest-paying clinical psychology specialties. The median salary of $108,500 exceeds most other clinical psychology positions, and board-certified neuropsychologists in private practice or forensic work can earn $150,000–$200,000+. The trade-off is the extensive training required: 4 years of undergraduate, 5–7 years of doctoral training, and a 2-year post-doctoral fellowship.
Neurologists are medical doctors (MDs) who diagnose and treat neurological diseases and may prescribe medication. Neuropsychologists hold doctoral degrees in psychology (PhD/PsyD) and specialize in assessing how brain conditions affect cognitive function and behavior through standardized testing. They often work together — neurologists refer patients to neuropsychologists for detailed cognitive assessments. Neurologists typically earn more ($267,000+ median).
Becoming a neuropsychologist typically takes 11–14 years after high school: 4 years for a bachelor's degree, 5–7 years for a doctoral program (PhD or PsyD in clinical psychology with neuropsychology focus), and 2 years of post-doctoral fellowship in neuropsychology. Board certification through ABCN is pursued after completing the fellowship and typically requires an additional 1–2 years of practice before eligibility.
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