Re: How many years of training are required to become a brain surgeon?

David,

"Brain surgery" is performed by neurological surgeons. To become a 
"board certified" neurological surgeon you must complete medical school, 
internship and five years of neurological surgery training. Then you must 
pass a writtem test and within five years an oral examination accompanied 
by a list of all of your patients from the preceeding 12 months.

College        4 years 
Medical school    4 years
Internship     1 year or general hospital based training
Residency     5 years
Written examination
Oral examination

The American Board of Neurological Surgeons establishes the criteria for 
their certification of the doctor as a neurological surgeon.

There are about 99 training programs accredited by the Board in the
 United States, most are associated with major teaching hospitals. 

There are about 3,500 neurosurgeons in the U.S.

Average salary is difficult to determine. Those in private practice have 
higher incomes than those who work for a salary. In all fields of medicine 
payment for services have dropped. Medicare has fixed the reimbursement 
rates at levels lower than they were 20 years ago and most HMOs and 
other insurers have followed.