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Clinical Neuropsychologists

Typical education: Doctoral or professional degreeHigh pressure

What they 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.

Kinds of work

  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.
  • Social: Helping, teaching, caring for and supporting other people.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

High pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $110,840 Median per year · $53.29/hr Most earn $54,990–$168,520

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Interview patients to obtain comprehensive medical histories.
  • Provide education or counseling to individuals and families.
  • Read current literature, talk with colleagues, and participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in neuropsychology.
  • Establish neurobehavioral baseline measures for monitoring progressive cerebral disease or recovery.
  • Educate and supervise practicum students, psychology interns, or hospital staff.
  • Design or implement rehabilitation plans for patients with cognitive dysfunction.

Job outlook

United States
2% more jobs by 2035, slower than average · about 3,500 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Self-employed (their own business)67.2%
  • Federal government, excluding postal service15.1%
  • Offices of mental health practitioners (except physicians)5.5%
  • General medical and surgical hospitals4.1%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 2 to 4 years

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Doctoral or professional degreeExperience before this job: 2 to 4 years

This is not an entry-level job. Clinical neuropsychologists usually need a doctoral degree plus supervised clinical training, so most people spend roughly 10 years or more after high school before they practice on their own.

  1. Bachelor's degree in psychology, neuroscience, or a related field

    4 years

    Take courses in statistics, research methods, biology, and abnormal psychology to build the foundation needed for graduate study. Good grades and some research experience help you get into doctoral programs.

  2. Research Assistant or Psychometrist in a neuropsychology lab or clinic

    2-4 years

    You help give and score brain-function tests, keep records, and learn how neurological conditions affect thinking and behavior. This hands-on work shows graduate programs you are serious and prepares you for the doctoral training ahead.

  3. Doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) in clinical neuropsychology or clinical psychology, plus internship and postdoctoral training

    6-8 years

    You earn the doctorate, complete a year-long supervised clinical internship, then usually do a 1-2 year postdoctoral fellowship focused on neuropsychology. This training teaches you to assess and diagnose patients and then pass the licensing exam in your state.

  4. Clinical Neuropsychologist

    Ongoing career

    You assess patients with brain injuries, seizure disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and learning disabilities, recommend treatment, and assess patients before and after neurosurgery. Many also pursue board certification in neuropsychology to show advanced expertise.

Where it can lead

  1. Director of Neuropsychology Services

    5-10 years in practice (rough estimate) of experience first

    You move from seeing patients to leading a team of neuropsychologists and technicians, setting clinic policies, and managing budgets and training. Strong leadership and business skills matter as much as clinical skill here.

  2. Neuropsychologist

    Several years in a clinical role of experience first

    Some clinicians move into research-focused or specialty neuropsychology roles that emphasize complex cases, research, or teaching. This is a lateral move in title, but it can open doors to academic or research leadership.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take biology, psychology, and statisticsBiology explains how the brain works, and statistics is used constantly in neuropsychology research and test scoring.
  • Volunteer at a hospital, nursing home, or rehab centerWorking with patients builds empathy and shows you how brain injuries and memory problems affect everyday life.
  • Join a science or psychology clubClubs give you a chance to explore the field, give presentations, and meet others who share your interest.
  • Enter a science fair or psychology competitionA project on memory, attention, or learning gives you research experience that looks good on college applications.
  • Get a starter job like a camp counselor or tutorThese jobs strengthen your communication and patience, which are essential when working with patients.

In college

  • Major in psychology or neuroscience and take research methods and statisticsThese courses prepare you for graduate-level work and show doctoral programs you can handle research.
  • Work as a research assistant in a psychology or neuroscience labLab experience, especially with brain or memory studies, is one of the strongest signals to graduate programs.
  • Seek a psychology technician or research assistant job at a clinic or hospitalHelping with testing and scoring under supervision gives you real exposure to neuropsychological assessment.
  • Join a psychology club or Psi Chi (if your school has a chapter)Honor societies and clubs build your resume, connect you with professors, and can help you attend conferences.
  • Present at a student research symposium or conferencePresenting your work teaches you to explain research clearly, a skill you will use every day as a clinician.

Tips for getting started

  • Get experience early. Volunteer or work in a hospital, rehab center, or memory clinic so you can see what neuropsychologists do day to day and build a strong application.
  • Build your research and statistics skills. Doctoral programs look closely at research experience, so join a psychology or neuroscience lab and ask your professors about projects.
  • Talk to people already in the field. Ask a psychologist or neuropsychologist about their training path, which programs they respect, and what they wish they had known.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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