How much does a chiropractor make?
a year · about $38 an hour
A typical chiropractor in the United States makes $79,200 a year, about $38 an hour, about 1.6× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They listen to patients, review health histories, and check posture, spines, and reflexes. They may adjust joints, use heat or cold, suggest exercises or healthy habits, and refer patients to another health professional.
Did you know? Surprise: U.S. chiropractors are estimated to treat more than 35 million adults and children each year.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $43,460 and $146,080How do you become one?
Earn a four-year Doctor of Chiropractic degree at an accredited U.S. school after at least three years of college. Pass state licensing exams; this seven-year-plus route means many start practicing in their mid-20s or later.
School needed: Graduate degree or long training
Good for people who like helping and teaching and building and doing
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, pay can vary with years of experience, region, hours worked, and how many patients a chiropractor sees. Building a steady group of patients or becoming a practice owner or partner can also make a difference.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in New Jersey ($134,990), lowest in Illinois ($66,650).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $43,460 | $79,200 | $146,080 | about 40,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $134,990 | about 1,000 |
| New York | $120,950 | about 1,000 |
| Washington | $104,070 | about 1,000 |
| Arizona | $100,260 | about 1,000 |
| North Carolina | $91,540 | about 1,000 |
Official definition: Assess, treat, and care for patients by manipulation of spine and musculoskeletal system. May provide spinal adjustment or address sacral or pelvic misalignment.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/chiropractors.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/29-1011.00
- www.nbce.org/about-nbce/chiropractic-care/certification-and-licensure
- www.acatoday.org/news-publications/newsroom/key-facts
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY