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The differences between physiatrists and neurologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a physiatrist, becoming a neurologist takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a physiatrist has an average salary of $305,616, which is higher than the $255,616 average annual salary of a neurologist.
The top three skills for a physiatrist include patients, rehabilitation and physical medicine. The most important skills for a neurologist are neurology, patients, and EEG.
| Physiatrist | Neurologist | |
| Yearly salary | $305,616 | $255,616 |
| Hourly rate | $146.93 | $122.89 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 10,190 | 23,991 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 24% | Bachelor's Degree, 27% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
Physiatrists must have a bachelor's degree in physical sciences or a related field, a M.D. or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, and 4 to 7 years' internship and residency training specializing in rehab and physical medicine. This position pays annual salaries of around $58K to $370K. It requires skills in empathy, compassion, emotional resilience, monitoring, and strong initiative to work in challenging environments. Physiatrists diagnose illnesses, design plans for treatment, and prescribe various medicines.
A neurologist is responsible for treating patients with muscles and nerve abnormalities. Neurologists conduct a series of examinations to determine the patients' condition, administer treatment plans, and refer immediate medical procedures as needed. They also document the patients' progress on every treatment and adjust medications according to the results. A neurologist must have excellent communication and critical-thinking skills to identify the effective specialized treatments through results interpretation and coordinating with other medical professionals for advice and other necessary care services.
Physiatrists and neurologists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Physiatrist | Neurologist | |
| Average salary | $305,616 | $255,616 |
| Salary range | Between $147,000 And $635,000 | Between $140,000 And $465,000 |
| Highest paying City | Anchorage, AK | Fargo, ND |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Parkridge Health System | Billings Clinic |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a physiatrist and a neurologist in terms of educational background:
| Physiatrist | Neurologist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 24% | Bachelor's Degree, 27% |
| Most common major | Medicine | Medicine |
| Most common college | Stanford University | University of Virginia |
Here are the differences between physiatrists' and neurologists' demographics:
| Physiatrist | Neurologist | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 53.7% Female, 46.3% | Male, 35.3% Female, 64.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.7% Asian, 18.6% White, 62.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 5.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 18.5% White, 61.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 13% | 13% |