A neuropsychologist assesses and treats people with brain injuries, neurological conditions, and cognitive disorders. You combine psychology, neuroscience, and clinical practice. The work requires a doctoral degree and extensive preparation, but offers deep expertise in how the brain shapes behavior and thought.
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Neuropsychologists evaluate patients to understand how brain function affects thinking, memory, emotion, and behavior. You conduct detailed assessments, interpret test results, and develop treatment plans. Your work involves processing complex information, analyzing data, and documenting findings carefully. You stay current with research and clinical advances, make decisions about diagnosis and care, and communicate results to patients and other healthcare providers. You may work in hospitals, clinics, research settings, or private practice.
Core work activities
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Neuropsychologists earn a median of $110,840 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is steady. Employment is projected to grow 4 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as average for all occupations, with about 3,900 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
This career requires a doctoral degree in psychology or a related field, followed by specialized training in neuropsychology. During your education, you will study psychology, neuroscience, research methods, and clinical practice. After earning your doctorate, most neuropsychologists complete a postdoctoral fellowship focused on neuropsychological assessment and treatment. You will need to pass licensing exams to practice independently. The entire path typically takes many years of study and supervised training beyond your bachelor's degree.
Most neuropsychologists earn a doctoral degree, then complete postdoctoral training and licensing. The timeline and specific requirements vary by location, so if you are mapping out your path, Pathly can map the neuropsychologist path that fits you and work through it with your counselor to clarify each step.
You do not need a license to work as a neuropsychologist, but professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
You are drawn to investigative work: analyzing complex problems, understanding how systems work, and using evidence to solve puzzles. Neuropsychology suits people who want to dig deep into how the brain works and apply that knowledge to help others.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).