Neuroscientists
Overview
Introduction
Neuroscience is a multidisciplinary field that studies the structure and function of the nervous system. The human nervous system is composed of organs (brain, spinal cord, nerves, and ganglia), which, in turn, consist of various tissues, including nerve, blood, and connective tissue. It has three general, overlapping functions: sensory, integrative, and motor. Neuroscientists use the principles of cellular and molecular biology, anatomy, physiology, human behavior and cognition, mathematics, chemistry, and other fields to study the...
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
Medical scientists (including neuroscientists) earned median annual salaries of $100,890 in May 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Ten percent earned $61,810 or less, while the top 10 percent received $168,020 or more. Fifty percent of medical scientists earned between $76,690 and $133,870. Those who were employed by scientific research and development services firms received mean...
Work Environment
Neuroscientists work in laboratories, medical facilities, and other research and health care settings. These facilities are typically equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Research neuroscientists typically work a standard, 40-hour week, Monday through Friday. A neurologist who practices as a physician will see patients during the work week, but may also have evening and weekend hours.
Outlook
Employment for medical scientists (including neuroscientists) is projected to increase by 11 percent from 2023 to 2033, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). This is much faster than the average for all careers. “Medical scientists will continue to be needed because they contribute to the development of treatments and medicines that improve human health,” according to the DOL. The fe...