Low compensation continues to create challenges

Although neurology compensation continues to increase, neither the pay nor the rate of increase is as high as in many other specialties.

Neurologists earned a median total cash compensation of $220,000 in 2006, a 1.76% increase from $216,199 in 2005, according to the MGMA 2007 Physician Compensation and Production Survey. That remains among the lowest compensation levels of all nonprimary care specialties.

Contrast that $220,000 with the $348,706 earned by dermatologists or the $406,345 by gastroenterologists during 2006.