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63. Neurosurgeon

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Neurosurgeon
Median pay: $368,000
Top pay: $643,000
10-year job growth: 24.4%
Total jobs*: 691,000
What they do all day? Neurosurgeons diagnose and treat disorders of the brain, spinal cord and the central nervous system. It is a highly skilled (and highly stressful) profession that sometimes involves saving patients' lives. When they aren't with patients, some neurosurgeons take to the classroom to teach medical students. --J.A.

Quality of life ratings:
Personal satisfaction Low stress Benefit to society Flexibility
A D A C
Published: October 29, 2012
Notes: All pay data from PayScale.com. Median pay is for an experienced worker (at least five or seven years in the field). Top pay represents the 90th percentile. Job growth is estimated for 2010-20, and based on people working in broader 'job family' from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
*Total jobs is estimated number of people working in broader BLS 'job family.'

Sources: PayScale.com, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and CNNMoney research
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