Clinical Neuropsychologists

SOC code 19-3039 · O*NET-SOC 19-3039.03 · Extensive preparation needed · Science and engineering

Clinical Neuropsychologists pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$110,840

a year

Hourly

$53.29

per hour

10th$54,990Median$110,84090th$168,520

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$111,210

$53.47 per hour

Middle 50%

$68,850 – $147,240

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$54,990 – $168,520

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

18,820

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

These pay and employment figures are for the broader BLS group “Psychologists, All Other”, not this job alone.

10th percentile: $54,990; $26.44/hr
25th percentile: $68,850; $33.10/hr
Median percentile: $110,840; $53.29/hr
75th percentile: $147,240; $70.79/hr
90th percentile: $168,520; $81.02/hr

What does a clinical neuropsychologist do?

Assess and diagnose patients with neurobehavioral problems related to acquired or developmental disorders of the nervous system, such as neurodegenerative disorders, traumatic brain injury, seizure disorders, and learning disabilities. Recommend treatment after diagnosis, such as therapy, medication, or surgery. Assist with evaluation before and after neurosurgical procedures, such as deep brain stimulation.

The tasks that matter most day to day

Interview patients to obtain comprehensive medical histories.
Write or prepare detailed clinical neuropsychological reports, using data from psychological or neuropsychological tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct observations, or interviews.
Conduct neuropsychological evaluations such as assessments of intelligence, academic ability, attention, concentration, sensorimotor function, language, learning, and memory.
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.
Diagnose and treat pediatric populations for conditions such as learning disabilities with developmental or organic bases.
Provide education or counseling to individuals and families.
Distinguish between psychogenic and neurogenic syndromes, two or more suspected etiologies of cerebral dysfunction, or between disorders involving complex seizures.
Diagnose and treat neural and psychological conditions in medical and surgical populations, such as patients with early dementing illness or chronic pain with a neurological basis.

How to become a clinical neuropsychologist

Most people in this role hold post-doctoral training — 92% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 5 — Extensive preparation needed

Education: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Training: Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

See all zone 5 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

Post-Doctoral Training92%
Doctoral Degree8%

Common questions

How much does a clinical neuropsychologist earn?

The national median is $110,840 a year. The full range runs from $54,990 at the 10th percentile to $168,520 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become a clinical neuropsychologist without a degree?

Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 5, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Active Listening4.4/5
Critical Thinking4.3/5
Reading Comprehension4.1/5
Speaking4.0/5
Writing3.9/5
Active Learning3.8/5

Knowledge areas

Psychology5.0/5
Therapy and Counseling4.7/5
English Language4.6/5
Education and Training4.5/5
Medicine and Dentistry4.3/5
Biology3.8/5
Customer and Personal Service3.7/5
Mathematics3.6/5

Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Judgment and Decision Making, Complex Problem Solving, Service Orientation.