Neuropsychologists

19-3039.02 Zone 5 — Extensive Preparation Needed

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.

Also known as: Adult Neuropsychologist, Aviation Neuropsychologist, Board Certified Neuropsychologist, Child and Adolescent Neuropsychologist, Forensic Neuropsychologist, Neuropsychologist, Neuropsychology Medical Consultant, Pediatric Neuropsychologist, ...

Annual Salary

$117,580

Median annual wage (May 2024)

$73,820 25th – 75th percentile $145,200
10th percentile $51,410
90th percentile $163,570
U.S. Employment: 17,790

Job Outlook

+4.3%

Projected growth, 2024–2034 (Faster than average)

Annual Job Openings 3,900 per year (avg. 2024–2034)
Typical education: Master's degree
On-the-job training: Internship/residency

What You'd Do

  • Conduct neuropsychological evaluations such as assessments of intelligence, academic ability, attention, concentration, sensorimotor function, language, learning, and memory.
  • Conduct research on neuropsychological disorders.
  • Consult with other professionals about patients' neurological conditions.
  • Design or implement rehabilitation plans for patients with cognitive dysfunction.
  • 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 conditions such as chemical dependency, alcohol dependency, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) dementia, and environmental toxin exposure.
  • Diagnose and treat pediatric populations for conditions such as learning disabilities with developmental or organic bases.
  • Educate and supervise practicum students, psychology interns, or hospital staff.
  • Establish neurobehavioral baseline measures for monitoring progressive cerebral disease or recovery.
  • Interview patients to obtain comprehensive medical histories.

Top Skills

Reading Comprehension 4.5
Active Listening 4.5
Writing 4.4
Speaking 4.3
Judgment and Decision Making 4.3
Critical Thinking 4.3
Complex Problem Solving 4.1
Social Perceptiveness 4.1

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Knowledge Areas

Psychology 5.0
Therapy and Counseling 4.6
English Language 4.4
Education and Training 4.1
Medicine and Dentistry 3.9
Customer and Personal Service 3.9
Sociology and Anthropology 3.7
Biology 3.5

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation by education level

Post-Doctoral
84%
Doctoral
16%

Technology & Tools

Software and tools commonly used in this role

In-Demand Technologies

IBM SPSS Statistics Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word

Other Tools

Automated Neuropsychological Metric Assessments Battery Behavioral Assessment and Research System BARS BrainMetric The Category Test BrainTrain Captain's Log CogniSyst Computerized Assessment of Response Bias CARB Conners' Continuous Performance Test II Database software Email software Interactive psychological evaluation software MicroCog Assessment of Cognitive Functioning Noldus Information Technology The Observer XT Operational Data Store ODS software Patient electronic medical record EMR software Psychological testing software Scheduling software +3 more

Work Styles

Personality traits and work styles important for this career

3.0
Intellectual Curiosity
3.0
Attention to Detail
2.5
Integrity
2.3
Cautiousness
2.3
Empathy
2.3
Dependability
2.1
Achievement Orientation

Key Abilities

Cognitive, physical, and sensory abilities important for this role

Written Comprehension 4.6
Oral Comprehension 4.5
Oral Expression 4.5
Written Expression 4.5
Inductive Reasoning 4.4
Deductive Reasoning 4.3
Problem Sensitivity 4.1
Speech Recognition 4.0

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Activities

General types of job behaviors occurring on this job

Processing Information 4.8
Getting Information 4.8
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge 4.6
Analyzing Data or Information 4.6
Making Decisions and Solving Problems 4.6
Documenting/Recording Information 4.6
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others 4.6
Assisting and Caring for Others 4.3

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Environment

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
4.8
E-Mail
4.7
Freedom to Make Decisions
4.7
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
4.6
Spend Time Sitting
4.5
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
4.5
Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
4.4
Telephone Conversations
4.3
Frequency of Decision Making
4.1
Written Letters and Memos
3.9
Contact With Others
3.9
Time Pressure
3.9

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Salary data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Outlook data: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034.

This page includes information from the O*NET 30.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.