Interventional neurology represents one of the most dynamic and technically advanced frontiers in medicine. By combining neurology, radiology, and neurosurgery, these specialists perform life-saving, minimally invasive procedures on the brain and spinal cord. Given the extensive training and critical nature of the work, it's no surprise that this career is not only intellectually rewarding but also financially lucrative. For those considering this demanding path, the salary potential is exceptionally high, with most professionals earning well into the six figures, often ranging from $450,000 to over $750,000 annually.
This guide will break down the salary you can expect as an interventional neurologist, the key factors that influence your earnings, and the promising outlook for this critical profession.
What Does an Interventional Neurologist Do?
An interventional neurologist—also known as a neurointerventional surgeon or endovascular neurologist—is a physician who specializes in using minimally invasive, catheter-based techniques to treat complex diseases of the central nervous system. Think of them as the "plumbers and electricians" of the brain's delicate vascular system.
Instead of performing open surgery, they navigate tiny catheters through blood vessels, often starting from the groin or wrist, to reach the affected area in the brain or spine. Their primary responsibilities include:
- Treating Acute Ischemic Strokes: Removing blood clots from brain arteries to restore blood flow, a procedure called a mechanical thrombectomy.
- Treating Brain Aneurysms: Placing tiny coils or stents to prevent aneurysms from rupturing.
- Managing Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs): Blocking off abnormal connections between arteries and veins in the brain.
- Performing Carotid Artery Stenting: Opening up narrowed carotid arteries in the neck to prevent strokes.
This role requires immense precision, steady hands, and the ability to make critical decisions under pressure, often in emergency situations.
Average Interventional Neurologist Salary
The compensation for interventional neurologists is among the highest in the medical field, reflecting the years of specialized training and the high-stakes nature of their procedures.
While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) groups this specialty under the broad category of "Physicians and Surgeons," industry-specific salary aggregators and reports provide a more precise picture.
- Average Salary: According to data from Salary.com, the median annual salary for an Interventional Neurologist in the United States is approximately $655,900 as of 2024.
- Typical Salary Range: Most interventional neurologists can expect to earn between $472,300 (25th percentile) and $843,800 (75th percentile).
- Top Earners: The top 10% of earners in this field can command salaries exceeding $990,000 per year, particularly those in private practice or with significant experience.
These figures often include a base salary plus productivity bonuses, which are common in medical specialties and can significantly increase total compensation.
Key Factors That Influence Salary
While the baseline salary is high, several key factors can dramatically influence an interventional neurologist's total earnings.
###
Level of Education
The path to becoming an interventional neurologist is long and rigorous, which is a primary justification for the high compensation. While all physicians hold a doctorate (M.D. or D.O.), the extensive post-graduate training is what sets this specialty apart. The typical journey includes:
1. Four years of undergraduate study.
2. Four years of medical school.
3. Four years of a neurology residency.
4. One to two years of a specialized fellowship in vascular neurology, neurocritical care, or, most commonly, endovascular surgical neuroradiology.
This 13-14 year journey post-high school means professionals enter the workforce later in life with a highly specialized and in-demand skill set, which employers compensate accordingly.
###
Years of Experience
Experience plays a crucial role in determining salary, as it directly correlates with expertise, speed, and the ability to handle complex cases.
- Early Career (0-5 Years): Physicians fresh out of fellowship are highly skilled but are still building their reputation and efficiency. Their starting salaries typically fall in the lower end of the range, from approximately $400,000 to $550,000.
- Mid-Career (6-15 Years): With a solid track record, established referral patterns, and greater procedural efficiency, mid-career neurologists see their income rise substantially. Earnings often move closer to the median and beyond, into the $600,000 to $750,000 range.
- Senior/Late Career (15+ Years): Senior interventional neurologists are often leaders in their departments or practice groups. They may take on administrative roles, train fellows, or become partners in a private practice, pushing their earning potential to the highest levels, often $800,000 or more.
###
Geographic Location
Where you practice has a significant impact on your salary due to variations in cost of living and regional demand. Physician compensation reports, such as those from Doximity, often show that states in the Southeast and Midwest offer highly competitive salaries to attract specialists.
Conversely, major metropolitan areas on the coasts (e.g., New York City, San Francisco) may have higher nominal salaries, but the increased cost of living can negate some of that advantage. Rural or underserved regions often offer extremely attractive compensation packages, including student loan repayment and large signing bonuses, to fill critical vacancies.
###
Company Type
The type of practice setting is one of the most influential factors determining an interventional neurologist's salary.
- Private Practice: This setting typically offers the highest earning potential. Neurologists who are partners in a successful group practice share in the profits and can earn significantly more than their salaried counterparts. However, this comes with the added responsibilities of running a business, including managing overhead, billing, and administrative staff.
- Hospital-Employed: A growing number of physicians are employed directly by hospitals or large healthcare systems. This model offers a stable, predictable salary, comprehensive benefits, and freedom from business management. Compensation is very competitive, often falling between academic and private practice levels, and frequently includes productivity bonuses.
- Academic Medical Centers: Salaries at university-affiliated hospitals are generally lower than in private or hospital-owned practices. The tradeoff is a greater focus on research, teaching the next generation of physicians, and often a better work-life balance. While the base salary might be lower, the overall benefits package and professional opportunities can be very appealing.
###
Area of Specialization
While "interventional neurology" is already a sub-specialty, building a reputation in a particular niche can further enhance earning potential. For example, a neurologist who becomes the regional expert in treating complex, wide-necked aneurysms or developing novel stroke intervention techniques will attract more complex (and often higher-reimbursement) cases. This expert status can lead to increased patient volume, higher productivity bonuses, and a salary at the top of the scale.
Job Outlook
The career outlook for highly specialized physicians, including interventional neurologists, is exceptionally strong. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 3% growth for all physicians and surgeons from 2022 to 2032. However, the demand for interventional neurologists is expected to be even more robust for several key reasons:
1. An Aging Population: As the baby boomer generation ages, the incidence of strokes and other neurovascular diseases is rising, increasing the demand for specialists who can treat these conditions.
2. Technological Advancement: Minimally invasive techniques are increasingly becoming the standard of care over open surgery due to better patient outcomes and shorter recovery times.
3. Increased Stroke Awareness: Public health campaigns have made people more aware of the signs of a stroke, leading to more patients arriving at the hospital in time to benefit from interventional procedures.
The limited number of fellowship programs and the rigorous training required ensure that the supply of these specialists remains low, keeping demand—and salaries—high for the foreseeable future.
Conclusion
Choosing a career in interventional neurology is a commitment to a long and challenging educational path, but it culminates in a profession that is both profoundly impactful and financially rewarding. With an average salary well over half a million dollars and the potential to earn close to seven figures, financial stability is a near certainty.
For aspiring medical professionals, the key takeaways are:
- High Earning Potential: This is one of the top-paying medical specialties.
- Training is Paramount: The extensive education and fellowship training are what command such high salaries.
- You Control Your Trajectory: Factors like your choice of practice setting, geographic location, and years of experience will significantly shape your ultimate compensation.
- A Secure Future: The demand for your skills is high and projected to grow, ensuring excellent job security.
Beyond the numbers, this career offers the unique opportunity to work at the cutting edge of medicine, performing procedures that directly save lives and preserve brain function every single day.