A neuro-oncologist is a physician who specializes in treating patients with brain tumors and other types of cancers that affect the central nervous system. These types of physicians provide care for patients with benign or malignant brain tumors and treat the neurological complications that might arise from cancer or chemotherapy treatments.

Salary

According to 2010 data published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national annual mean salary for a neuro-oncologist was $180,870. These individuals earned a national mean hourly wage of $86. Neuro-oncologists who were paid in the bottom 10th percentile for this profession earned a salary of $53,510, or an hourly wage of $25. Neuro-oncologists who were paid in the top 25th percentile for this profession earned a salary of $166,400, or an hourly wage of $80. If you want to earn top dollar as a neuro-oncologists, think about finding employment in Minnesota, Nevada or South Dakota, because these are the top-paying States for this occupation. Individuals working in these States earned an annual mean salary between $222,780 and $225,410.

Industry

Physician’s offices, general medical and surgical hospitals and the federal executive branch are the industries with the highest levels of employment in this occupation. The top-paying industries for this occupation: medical and diagnostic laboratories, physician’s offices, other ambulatory health care services and outpatient care centers, all paid neuro-oncologists an annual mean salary between $206,370 and $230,340.

Outlook

According to projected data published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of physicians and surgeons is projected to grow 22 percent from 2008 to 2018, which is much faster than the national average for all other occupations. The Bureau attributes job growth in this occupation to the continued expansion of the healthcare industry.

Job Description

Physicians and surgeons work in a number of medical and surgical specialties such as neuro-oncology for instance. A neuro-oncologist is a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating patients with tumors of the brain and nervous system. A neuro-oncologist may be a neurologist who is trained in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the nervous system or an oncologist – a doctor who specializes in treatment cancer. A neuro-oncologist may also have a strong medical background in neurosurgery.

Education

Neuro-oncologists must undergo lengthy educational programs and must meet certain certification requirements to work in their field. Neuro-oncologists must complete four years of undergraduate school, four years of medical school, and three to eight years of internship and residency, depending on their specialty.