Recent Trends in Neuroradiologist Compensation and Clinical Productivity in Academic versus Non-Academic Settings

SUMMARY: Awareness of trends in compensation and clinical productivity are important, especially in a competitive market for hiring radiologists. This study shows that in the last decade, clinical productivity as measured by median Work Relative Value Units for academic neuroradiologists remained greater (by 30%–40%) than for academic diagnostic radiologists overall throughout the study period. The median compensation for academic neuroradiologists remains approximately 20% less than that for nonacademic neuroradiologists. The median compensation increased at a faster rate for academic neuroradiologists (4.1% annually) than for nonacademic neuroradiologists (1.8% annually), similar to the trend for diagnostic radiologists overall, but the compensation increase across time has barely kept pace with inflation. Further studies are needed to address cuts in reimbursements for neuroimaging studies and the impact on clinical productivity and physician labor market dynamics.