Chiropractors
Assess, treat, and care for patients by manipulation of spine and musculoskeletal system. May provide spinal adjustment or address sacral or pelvic misalignment.
Also called: Chiropractic Doctor (DC) · Chiropractic Neurologist · Chiropractic Physician · Chiropractor
Median pay (national)
$79,000
$44,780–$149,990 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
37,630
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+9.5%
~2,800 openings/yr
Typical entry
Doctoral or professional degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for chiropractors shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $149,990 versus $44,780 at the bottom 10% — 3.3x. The median of $79,000 leaves roughly 90% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +9.5% from 2024 to 2034 — much faster than the 3% average for all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 2,800 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 49 states with released data, Hawaii pays the most for this role (median $102,260, +29% vs the national median), while Utah sits lowest at $59,920 — a 71% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, Speaking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Science
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Evaluate the functioning of the neuromuscularskeletal system and the spine using systems of chiropractic diagnosis.
- Perform a series of manual adjustments to the spine or other articulations of the body to correct the musculoskeletal system.
- Obtain and record patients' medical histories.
- Maintain accurate case histories of patients.
- Advise patients about recommended courses of treatment.
- Analyze x-rays to locate the sources of patients' difficulties and to rule out fractures or diseases as sources of problems.
- Counsel patients about nutrition, exercise, sleeping habits, stress management, or other matters.
- Consult with or refer patients to appropriate health practitioners when necessary.
- Recommend and arrange for diagnostic procedures, such as blood chemistry tests, saliva tests, x-rays, or other imaging procedures.
- Suggest and apply the use of supports such as straps, tapes, bandages, or braces if necessary.
Tools & technology
- ACOM Solutions RAPID EMR
- Acrendo A.I.med
- Addison Health Systems WritePad EHR
- Advantage Software Chiropractic Advantage
- Billing software
- BioEx Systems Exercise Pro
- ChiroSoft
- ChiroTouch EHR
- DataCom Software Business Products M.I.S. Clinic
- DocumentPlus
- E-Z BIS Office
- Electro Meridian Imaging EMI
- Electronic medical record EMR software
- EZClaim medical billing software
- EZnotes
- ForteEMR
Knowledge areas
- Medicine and Dentistry
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Biology
- Psychology
- Administration and Management
- Administrative
- Personnel and Human Resources