Neurologists Salary
In California, neurologists earn $357,080 at the median, or about $171.68 an hour. The range runs from $104K at the entry level to $357K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 106.14), so that salary is closer to $336,424 in real purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,471/month, or 12.4% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across California. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $357K get you in California?
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What this looks like in California
California sits well above the national pay line for neurologists, local pay runs about 44% higher than the U.S. median of $249K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $2,471/month, 13.4% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost-of-living overall is 6% above the national average (BEA RPP 106.14), so groceries and services cost more too. Combined with manageable housing costs, California offers a genuinely strong financial position for neurologistss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level neurologists (10th percentile) start around $104K. Mid-career wages sit at $357K. Top earners bring in $357K or more, a $253K spread from bottom to top.
Neurologists salary by metro in California
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $104K | -71% | N/A |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $79K | -78% | 40 |
Compare to other states
Track neurologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a neurologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in California?
Yes — at the median salary of $357K, rent takes 13.4% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,471/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for neurologists in California?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new neurologists typically earn — is $104K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $6,259/month. At HUD’s $2,471/month FMR, rent would take 39% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is neurologist a high-paying job in California?
Local pay is 44% above the national median — $357K here vs. $249K nationally. Keep in mind cost of living here is 6% above the national average, which offsets some of that premium.
How does California compare to the national average for neurologists?
California pays $357K median vs. the U.S. average of $249K — that’s +44%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 106.14), the purchasing-power equivalent is $336K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do neurologists make in California?
The median is $357,080 a year, that works out to about $172 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $104,320, and experienced neurologists can clear $357,080. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $357K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $18,411/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,471/month, which eats 13.4% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a neurologists salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 106.14 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median neurologists salary is worth about $336,424 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do neurologists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.