A chiropractor is a licensed healthcare professional who supports spine and nervous system health, providing care and rehabilitation to patients. Those who work in this role are typically experts on causes and treatments of back, neck, and shoulder pain.
To become a chiropractor, you need to get a Doctor of Chiropractic degree, which is usually a four-year program (on top of three years of undergraduate study). However, the investment of time and money in your education can pay off in a job that offers high satisfaction and a good salary. The average annual salary for a chiropractor in the U.S. as of January 5, 2024 is $85,646, according to ZipRecruter.
If you’re interested in working in the healthcare field and enjoy working with people, a job as a chiropractor may be ideal for you. Read on to learn more about how much money a chiropractor makes, as well as other factors to consider before you decide to jump on this career path.
What Are Chiropractors
A chiropractor is a type of medical professional who specializes in evaluating and treating a patient’s neuromusculoskeletal system. Their primary duty is to help patients reduce pain and gain greater levels of mobility. They may perform treatments like massage therapy, physical rehabilitation strategies, or spinal adjustments and procedures.
Tasks involved in being a chiropractor typically include:
• Reviewing a patient’s medical history and listening to their concerns
• Performing physical examinations to analyze posture, spine, and reflexes
• Advising patients on health and lifestyle issues, such as exercise and nutrition
• Providing neuromusculoskeletal therapy, which involves adjusting a patient’s spinal column and other joints
• Giving additional treatments, such as applying heat or cold to a patient’s injured areas
• Referring patients to other healthcare professionals if necessary
Chiropractors often work in healthcare clinics, physical therapy centers, yoga studios, massage centers, or gyms. Some open their own private practices. Because the majority of a chiropractor’s day is devoted to patient care, this job is always in-person and is not a good fit for anyone looking for a work-from-home job.
If a chiropractor runs their own practice, they may also have to take on additional responsibilities related to accounting, record keeping, hiring, and managing employees.
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How Much Do Chiropractors Make When They Are Starting Out?
Starting salaries for chiropractors can range anywhere from $41,000 to $76,500. However, those in this role can generally expect their income to rise significantly over time. The highest-earning chiropractors in the U.S. make $93,500 to $101,000-plus a year, per ZipRecruiter.
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What is the Average Salary for a Chiropractor?
How much you can earn as a chiropractor will vary based on your geographical location, company, years of experience, certifications, and other factors. On average, however, a chiropractor earns an hourly rate of $41. This is the equivalent of $1,647 per week or $7,137 per month. The average amount a chiropractor earns per year in the U.S. is $85,646.
The Average Chiropractor Salary by State for 2024
How much money a chiropractor makes can vary by location. What follows is a breakdown of how much a chiropractor makes per year, on average, by state (highest to lowest) based on ZipRecruiter’s data.
| State | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $98,843 |
| Alaska | $98,357 |
| North Dakota | $98,341 |
| Massachusetts | $97,167 |
| Hawaii | $96,265 |
| Washington | $94,053 |
| Nevada | $92,997 |
| South Dakota | $92,943 |
| Colorado | $91,777 |
| Rhode Island | $91,552 |
| New York | $87,237 |
| Delaware | $86,275 |
| Vermont | $85,187 |
| Virginia | $85,026 |
| Illinois | $85,001 |
| Maryland | $83,554 |
| Nebraska | $81,770 |
| Missouri | $81,264 |
| South Carolina | $80,563 |
| Pennsylvania | $79,915 |
| New Jersey | $79,751 |
| Oklahoma | $79,189 |
| Maine | $79,147 |
| Wisconsin | $78,981 |
| North Carolina | $78,900 |
| New Hampshire | $77,715 |
| Idaho | $77,523 |
| Texas | $77,002 |
| Kentucky | $76,752 |
| Wyoming | $76,482 |
| Minnesota | $76,285 |
| Michigan | $75,978 |
| New Mexico | $75,855 |
| Indiana | $75,472 |
| Ohio | $74,150 |
| Arizona | $73,911 |
| Connecticut | $73,535 |
| Mississippi | $73,019 |
| Iowa | $72,927 |
| Montana | $72,797 |
| Arkansas | $72,531 |
| Alabama | $71,889 |
| Utah | $70,844 |
| Tennessee | $70,793 |
| Kansas | $68,753 |
| Georgia | $66,970 |
| Louisiana | $66,604 |
| West Virginia | $61,719 |
| Florida | $59,269 |
Chiropractor Job Considerations for Pay & Benefits
On top of their average salary of $85,646, chiropractors earn more once you take their employee benefits into account. Chiropractors who work full-time for an employer can expect to gain access to standard employee benefits like healthcare and paid vacation. However, many chiropractors choose to work part-time or are self-employed. Those who are self-employed and run their own practice will need to provide themselves and their employees with benefits.
Pros and Cons of Chiropractor Salary
Becoming a chiropractor requires pursuing years of higher education. Before making that time and financial commitment, it’s a good idea to carefully evaluate both the pros and cons of working as a chiropractor.
Pros of Being a Chiropractor
Here’s a look at some reasons why you might consider becoming a chiropractor:
• A positive job outlook According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of chiropractors is projected to grow 9% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. The government predicts about 2,600 chiropractor job openings a year, on average, over the decade.
• Ability to help people Chiropractors help people function better, have less pain, and reach their health goals. This type of work generally comes with high job satisfaction because chiropractors know that what they are doing is meaningful.
• Job flexibility and autonomy Compared to other types of healthcare jobs, chiropractors enjoy a high level of autonomy and independence. Many choose to own and operate their own private practices after they graduate. Becoming an entrepreneur gives you the freedom to make your own schedule and work for yourself.
• Earn a good salary The national average salary of chiropractors is $85,646 per year, but chiropractors who complete more education and earn special credentials can negotiate for a higher salary, and may earn as much as $100,000 per year. In addition, those in this role may pursue supervisory positions or create their own practice, which can come with higher pay.
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Cons of Being a Chiropractor
Being a chiropractor also comes with some downsides. Here are some to keep in mind:
• A long time in school Becoming a chiropractor requires completing extensive schooling. Indeed, it can take up to eight years of school and training to become a chiropractor. However, many chiropractic students find the time and effort worth the reward.
• Working overtime While some chiropractor positions allow you to work regular, 40-hour weeks, many chiropractors work 50-plus hours per week to see patients, conduct research, and complete paperwork.
• Risk involved Some chiropractic procedures involve a patient’s spinal cord and nervous system, such as spinal manipulation and decompression, which can cause pain and involve some risk to the patient. That’s why it’s important that chiropractors have extensive training in conducting these procedures.
• Salary is lower than other types of doctors While chiropractors do practice health care, they typically don’t earn as much money as other kinds of doctors. For example, the average national salary for a general physician is $208,152 per year. Keep in mind, though, that it takes more schooling and training to become a general physician.
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The Takeaway
Chiropractors specialize in the anatomy and physiology of people’s nervous systems and spine, and their primary duty is to help patients reduce pain and gain greater levels of mobility.
Choosing to pursue a career path as a chiropractor can be stable and lucrative, with annual salaries as high as $110,000.
Before you can make that much money, however, you’ll need to invest in going to chiropractic school. This may require saving money up over time and/or taking out student loans.
Whatever path you choose, learning how to budget and manage your monthly income and expenses can help you reach both your career and your financial goals.
FAQ
What is the highest paying Chiropractor job?
Traveling chiropractors and sports team chiropractors tend to earn higher salaries than other chiropractic roles. You can also earn a higher-than-average income as a chiropractor by owning your own practice and employing professionals from other medical disciplines, such as physical therapy, massage therapy, and acupuncture.
Where you work can also have an impact on how much you earn as a chiropractor. The states with the highest average salaries for chiropractors are Oregon, Alaska, North Dakota, Massachusetts, and Hawaii.
Do chiropractors make 100k a year?
It’s possible for chiropractors to make 100k a year. In fact, annual salaries for chiropractors can be as high as $110,000.
How much do chiropractors make starting out?
Starting salaries for chiropractors can range anywhere from $41,000 to $76,500. However, a chiropractor’s income typically increases over time. The highest-earning chiropractors in the U.S. make $93,500 to $101,000-plus a year.
Photo credit: iStock/ljubaphoto
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