7 Careers in Neuropsychology

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Updated June 6, 2025

Neuropsychology is a branch of psychology that helps patients with brain and behavioral challenges. To qualify and practice in this highly specialized field, you need to complete years of training. Knowing the different neuropsychology career paths can help you determine whether a job in this field aligns with your core competencies and professional goals. In this article, we define neuropsychology, list various neuropsychology jobs and explain the work environment for a neuropsychologist.Related: How Much Does a Neuropsychologist Make?

What is neuropsychology?

Neuropsychology is a psychology specialty that evaluates the connection between the brain and human cognition and behavior. Neuropsychologists study brain injuries to better understand them and limit their effects on individuals. The primary duty of a neuropsychologist is to understand the link between brain disorders and mental issues for improved diagnosis and treatment. Neuropsychologists often work with mental health professionals like therapists and psychiatrists to identify, diagnose and treat mental problems that result from brain deformities.Neuropsychologists treat a wide range of neurological and psychological issues including the following:

Alzheimer's
Attention deficit disorder
Autism spectrum disorders
Brain cancer
Brain tumors
Dementia
Endocrine disorders
Epilepsy
Motor neuron diseases
Seizure disorders
Traumatic brain injury

Careers in neuropsychology

Neuropsychology is a broad field with career paths that follow academic or clinical tracks. Whereas clinical neuropsychologists work with patients in a medical facility, academic neuropsychologists perform research in an educational institution. Both tracks give you the opportunity to make a lucrative salary as a member of the medical industry. While general psychologists make a national average salary of $98,145 per year, your salary as a neuropsychologist may vary thanks to your specialty and subspecialty. Here are seven neuropsychology careers to consider pursuing:

Clinical neuropsychologist

Clinical neuropsychologists diagnose and treat individuals suffering from neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease, dementia and vascular disease. A clinical neuropsychologist works with patients such as older individuals, children and patients with cognitive-related issues. They identify problems caused by brain disorders and create treatment plans to address these problems. A clinical neuropsychologist may also prescribe medication, therapy or recommend other treatment options for their patients. Clinical neuropsychologists mostly work with other medical professionals to provide effective treatment for their patients. With their expertise, clinical neuropsychologists can help mental health patients live normal lives in society.Related: Learn About Being a Neuropsychologist

Clinical pediatric neuropsychologist

Clinical pediatric neuropsychologists have the same functions as clinical neuropsychologists. However, they focus on children, unlike their counterparts who mainly treat adults. Also referred to as child neuropsychologists, clinical pediatric neuropsychologists diagnose neurological disorders, central nervous system diseases and seizure disorders in children. They work with therapists and families to create proper treatment plans for kids with neurological disorders.

Neuropsychology researcher

Neuropsychology researchers study the brain and the nervous system. They research cognitive dysfunction and reveal how it affects behavior, emotion and cognitive functioning. Neuropsychology researchers also develop alternative methods for diagnosing and treating neurological disorders.While neuropsychology researchers don't treat people, they help other medical professionals understand what causes neurological disorders. They also help them understand the ramifications these disorders have on daily living and teach professionals like psychologists and psychotherapists how to manage cognitive diseases and disorders.

Neuropsychology professor

Neuropsychology professors conduct neuropsychology research in an academic setting. Though they're similar to neuropsychology researchers, neuropsychology professors work in academia, while researchers may work in non-academic institutions. Neuropsychology professors stay up-to-date with the latest developments in their field, conduct research and publish their findings in scientific journals. Neuropsychology professors also lecture students in neuropsychological science. They create and implement learning plans for students and administer tests and exams to measure each students' performance.

Rehabilitation director

Rehabilitation directors work at rehab facilities where they direct and oversee all aspects of patient treatment and care. They design and implement plans for various types of rehabilitative treatment plans such as speech and physical therapy.Rehabilitation directors also perform administrative duties to maintain operations at rehab facilities. Some of their duties involve budgeting, staffing, compensation and stakeholder management. While rehabilitation directors may get involved with patient treatment, they may not interact with patients directly. Instead, they monitor patient behavior via reports provided by caregivers.

Forensic neuropsychologist

A forensic neuropsychologist applies neuropsychological assessment techniques to the legal field. They evaluate litigants and assess their emotional and cognitive functioning. Forensic psychologists offer assistance when disputes arise over the emotional, cognitive or behavioral functioning of parties in a legal case. For example, they may conduct rigorous assessments to verify a defendant's insanity plea.In addition to these duties, forensic neuropsychologists may also diagnose victims of violent crimes to determine the level of trauma and the trauma's implications. They also conduct neuroimaging and neuropsychiatric analyses if necessary.

Cognitive Neuropsychologist

Cognitive neuropsychologists evaluate the brain structure and its connection to cognitive abilities. These neuropsychologists also explore the consequences of brain injuries and neurological diseases on speech, reasoning, perception, memory and language acquisition.Most cognitive neuropsychologists are researchers. However, unlike their other counterparts, they create models to understand and explain how humans gain and exercise their abilities to speak, recall, learn, memorize and perceive things.Related: 12 Choices for a Career as a Psychologist

Neuropsychologist work environment

Not only does your neuropsychology specialty dictate your duties, but it may also provide you with a specific work location. Here are some of a neuropsychologist's different work environments:

Healthcare facilities: Neurologists may work in a healthcare facility such as a hospital if they specialize in clinical and pediatric neuropsychology.
Private and government research agencies: Neuropsychologists may work in private and government research agencies where they conduct experiments to solve neuropsychological problems, formulate policies and act as trainers and facilitators.
Universities: As a neurologist, you may work at a university or another tertiary institution where you can teach students, conduct research and write a variety of scientific papers.
Medical and nonmedical organizations: Neuropsychologists can also work for a medical or nonmedical organization as consultants.

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