We have a car accident, suffer a stroke or have an epilepsy where the drugs have no effect. These are three of the situations in which damage to our brains can occur and require medical and surgical intervention. This is an extremely delicate area of the body, so it is necessary to have a qualified professional who can intervene in the area: neurosurgeons.

We know that this is a very specialized branch of medicine that involves a great deal of responsibility, dealing with a very delicate area that requires a great deal of preparation. As a result, their important work is also highly remunerated. How much does a neurosurgeon charge? In this article we will look at what their discipline entails and the remuneration to which they can aspire in some countries.

Neurosurgery: description of the discipline

Neurosurgery is a medical discipline, a specialization linked to the surgical treatment of neurological problems. It covers both problems associated with the brain and the spinal cord, acting on both central and peripheral nervous system levels .

Neurosurgery deals with a very specific and localised type of intervention, which requires great precision and can mean the difference between life and death for those who need it. This means that the professionals in this sector have to bear a high level of stress, as their professional practice involves a high level of responsibility (a small error could cause the death of the patient or leave him or her with severe consequences).

The neurosurgeon is a specialist in brain and neurological pathology , and can diagnose and treat various conditions and disorders. Some of the disorders and situations in which they intervene are, for example, head trauma, spinal cord injuries, cerebrovascular accidents, aneurysms, tumours, neurodegenerative diseases, epilepsy or serious cases of mental disorders (although the latter case is not usually common, sometimes surgery can be used as a last resort).

Its action may include deactivation or disconnection of dysfunctional brain areas, implantation or insertion of mechanisms such as valves or other elements or therapeutic techniques, removal or suctioning of foreign materials such as tumors, hemorrhages or excess cerebrospinal fluid.

Training

To carry out such interventions successfully requires much practice and extensive knowledge of both neurological anatomy and the most effective treatments for certain conditions and states, a knowledge that must be obtained.

To be a neurosurgeon requires an extensive period of training, which may vary depending on the country in which you train. In Spain, it is first necessary to study the degree in medicine (currently a six-year degree), to then enter the MIR competition in the specialty of neurosurgery (between two and five years).

These specialists also have a very high workload, and are able to provide extensive guarding to cover possible emergencies. Except in cases of emergency, patients arriving at neurosurgery generally do not go to these professionals first but have been referred by the neurologist , who in turn has received the patient from general medicine.

How much does a neurosurgeon charge?

The annual salary of a neurosurgeon is generally high, being one of the highest paid medical professionals. This is due to the high level of responsibility they have, the long training they have to follow to be able to practice and the complexity of their task.

However, the exact amount will vary greatly depending on the location where you practice, the type and number of interventions you perform (as well as the number of guards you make) and the number of years of experience you require. There will also be differences depending on whether you practice in the public or private sector .

1. Spain

In Spain, for example, the average annual salary of a neurosurgeon is between 30,000 and 75,000 euros, although it can reach 90,000 as experience increases . The average monthly salary is 2200 euros.

2. United States

In the United States, average salaries for neurosurgeons can be between $500,000 and $700,000.

3. Canada

In Canada the average is between 275,000 and 505,902 Canadian dollars (between 187,092.2 and 344,182.98).

4. United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, specifically in England, salaries also vary greatly, with junior neurosurgeons averaging around $395,000 (336,084.16 euros) and being able to increase their salary to $914,796 (778,350.73 euros) with experience, and in some cases even more.

5. Argentina

The average in Argentina is 40,000 Argentine pesos per month (equivalent to 2,303.11 euros).

6. Mexico

In Mexico the average neurosurgeon earns around 20,000-25,000 pesos a month, varying the figure depending on whether they work in the public or private sector, the number of interventions and guards they perform and the years of experience. As he gains experience it could reach 300,000 pesos (equivalent to 14,016.25 euros).