Source: SalaryDr Neurosurgery Residency Salary Data (2026). Median: $80,000/year. Sample: 17 approved salary reports. URL: https://www.salarydr.com/residency-salary/neurosurgery
Neurosurgery Residency Salary (2026)
The median neurosurgery resident salary is $80,000 per year, based on 17 approved salary reports on SalaryDr. After training, neurosurgery attendings earn a median of $895,000 — a 11.2x increase.
Source: SalaryDr self-reported data • Updated Nov 2026
Neurosurgery Resident Salary by PGY Year
How neurosurgery resident compensation changes by postgraduate year level.
| PGY Level | Median Salary | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| PGY-1 | $73,750 | 8 |
Neurosurgery: Resident vs. Attending Salary
The salary jump from residency to attending is the largest increase in a physician’s career.
Neurosurgery Residency Training
Training Length
7 years
Salary Progression
Resident salary increases ~$2,000–$3,000 per PGY year. After completing training, attending neurosurgery physicians earn a median of $895,000.
Frequently Asked Questions: Neurosurgery Residency Salary
How much do neurosurgery residents make in 2026?
Neurosurgery residents earn a median salary of $80,000 per year based on 17 approved salary reports on SalaryDr. The middle 80% report between $68,400 and $87,400, depending on PGY level and location.
How long is neurosurgery residency?
Neurosurgery residency training is 7 years. Salary increases with each year of training, typically by $2,000–$3,000 per PGY level.
How much more do neurosurgery attendings make compared to residents?
Neurosurgery attending physicians earn a median of $895,000, which is 11.2x more than the median resident salary of $80,000. This gap represents the largest salary jump in a physician's career.
Are neurosurgery residents satisfied with their specialty choice?
Neurosurgery residents rate their career satisfaction at 3.6/5.0 on average. 100% say they would choose neurosurgery again if given the choice. They work an average of 80 hours per week.
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