Austin Keith is a neurosurgeon. Neurosurgeons specialize in performing surgery on the brain and nervous system. Neurosurgeons undergo extensive education, including at least 4 years of undergraduate education, 4 years of medical school, and 3 to 8 years of residency training depending on their specialty. They work in sterile operating environments and often stand for long periods while performing surgery. Employment for physicians and surgeons such as neurosurgeons is expected to grow 24% from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations.

1. NEUROSURGEON
Austin Keith

2. WHAT PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS DO
• Surgeons specialize in treating injury, disease, and deformity through operations.
• Using a variety of instruments, and with patients under anesthesia, a surgeon corrects
physical deformities, repairs bone and tissue after injuries, or performs preventive
surgeries on patients.
• Neurosurgeons specialize in performing surgery on the brain and the nervous system.

3. SALARY
• Wages of physicians and surgeons are among the highest of all occupations.
• According to the Medical Group Management Association, physicians practicing primary
care received total median annual compensation of $202,392.
• Physicians practicing in medical specialties received total median annual compensation of
$356,885 in 2010.
Anesthesiology $407,292
General surgery 343,958
Obstetrics/gynecology 281,190
Internal medicine 205,379
Psychiatry 200,694
Pediatrics/adolecent
medicine 192,148
Family practice (without
obstetrics) 189,402

4. EDUCATION
• Almost all physicians complete at least 4 years of undergraduate school, 4 years of
medical school, and 3 to 8 years of internship and residency, depending on their specialty.
• Doctorate or profession degree is required.

5. WORK ENVIRONMENT
• Many physicians work in private offices or clinics, often helped by a small staff of nurses
and other administrative workers.
• Surgeons and anesthesiologists usually work in sterile environments while performing
surgery and may stand for long periods of time.

6. JOB OUTLOOK
• Employment of physicians and surgeons is expected to grow by 24 percent from 2010 to
2020, faster than the average for all occupations.
• Job prospects should be good for physicians willing to practice in rural and low-income
areas, because these areas typically have difficulty attracting doctors.
Physicians and Surgeons
Percent change in employment, projected 2010-20
Health Diagnosing and Treating Practitioners
26%
Physicians and Surgeons
24%
Total, All Occupations
14%
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program