How much does a health practitioner make?
Answer: A typical health practitioner in the United States makes $115,210 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 29,000 people work in this job. Well above the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Health practitioner pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $65,210 | $115,210 | $195,190 | about 29,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $127,360 | about 750 |
| Georgia | $126,300 | about 3,000 |
| California | $125,550 | about 2,000 |
| Massachusetts | $106,060 | about 600 |
| Texas | $105,370 | about 1,000 |
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., this job code includes very different specialties, so pay can change with training, licenses or certification, experience, and how complex the work is. Employer type, location, and hours or shift premiums also matter.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a health practitioner do?
All healthcare diagnosing or treating practitioners not listed separately.
What's a typical day like?
Because this code covers many specialties, days differ; an orthoptist may check a patient's eyesight and eye movements, then record the results. They explain exercises or eye patches and discuss care with an eye doctor.
How to get this job
Pathways depend on the specialty: orthoptists usually need a bachelor’s degree, a two-year orthoptics program, and written and practical board exams. Naturopathic physicians complete an accredited four-year program and, in licensed states, pass the NPLEX.
Did you know?
Fewer than 400 certified orthoptists work in the entire U.S. They specialize in helping people with eye-movement problems.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
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.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-1299.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.orthoptics.org/site/training-details
- www.aapos.org/glossary/orthoptistorthoptics
- www.ophth.wisc.edu/blog/2025/04/07/orthoptists-provide-hope-and-clarity-in-eye-c
- www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291299.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY