by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Neuroanatomy involves the study of Neuroanatomy. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of The Structure Of The Central And Peripheral Nervous System In Vertebrates Or The Nervous System Of Invertebrates. Includes Instruction In Cellular And Circuit Anatomy, Mapping Of Neuronal Pathways, Anatomical Distribution And Mapping Of Neuronal Signaling Molecules And Their Receptors, And The Anatomical Basis Of Central Nervous System Diseases And Disorders. Continue reading for the important information every neuroanatomy major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering neuroanatomy programs.
Programs in Neuroanatomy emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations neuroanatomy graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a neuroanatomy program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a neuroanatomy major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
People currently working in careers related to neuroanatomy tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 31.3% |
| Post-doctoral training | 20.3% |
| Master’s degree | 18.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 17.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.6% |
| Some college courses | 2.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.2% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.0% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.7% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in neuroanatomy careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in neuroanatomy can lead to numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to neuroanatomy.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to neuroanatomy.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 276,211 | 6.3% |
| Geneticists | 183,832 | -1.1% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | 164,357 | 8.7% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | 125,815 | 8.9% |
| Biologists | 118,631 | -3.6% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of neuroanatomy graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $31,154 |
| 4 years | $54,347 |
| 5 years | $68,598 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for neuroanatomy graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers neuroanatomy grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $111,314 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | $100,077 |
| Bioinformatics Scientists | $92,484 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $79,550 |
| Biologists | $54,070 |
Use our unbiased neuroanatomy school rankings to find the best fit for you.
If you are interested in neuroanatomy, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Neuroscience | 11,557 |
| Neurobiology and Anatomy | 780 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences, Other | 299 |
| Neurobiology and Behavior | 183 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
