Chiropractors

What chiropractors do

Typical tasks

• 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.
• Diagnose health problems by reviewing patients' health and medical histories, questioning, observing, and examining patients and interpreting x-rays.
• Evaluate the functioning of the neuromuscularskeletal system and the spine using systems of chiropractic diagnosis.
• Maintain accurate case histories of patients.
• Consult with or refer patients to appropriate health practitioners when necessary.
• Advise patients about recommended courses of treatment.
• Counsel patients about nutrition, exercise, sleeping habits, stress management, or other matters.
• Provide guidance to patients on exercises they can perform to improve mobility.
• Analyze x-rays to locate the sources of patients' difficulties and to rule out fractures or diseases as sources of problems.
• Take x-rays.
• Recommend and arrange for diagnostic procedures, such as blood chemistry tests, saliva tests, x-rays, or other imaging procedures.

Chiropractors salary

The median annual wage for chiropractors is $79,200 (BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, national). The lowest 10 percent earn less than $43,460 and the highest 10 percent earn more than $146,080. The mean annual wage is $90,520.

The mean hourly wage of $43.00 is 5.9× the federal minimum wage of $7.25. State minimums are higher in most large states. Minimum wage by state →

Pay by percentile

Annual wage percentiles from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Percentiles are a good proxy for pay by experience.

How median, percentiles and the pay range are defined →

Projected pay for Chiropractors (3, 5 and 10 years)est.

Today $79,200 → in 3 years $87,500 → in 5 years $93,500 → in 10 years $110,300 (10-year range $94,900–$128,100). The model assumes pay growth of +3.4% per year.

What drives the annual growth rate

Projected pay = current pay × (1 + annual growth)^years. The annual growth rate starts from a base wage-growth rate and adds or subtracts labor demand (BLS projected employment growth), wage momentum and AI replacement risk for each occupation. Projections are not guarantees. How it is calculated →

Outlook score for Chiropractors

Each component is a percentile rank among all occupations in the same country (0–100). Weights: labor demand 25, wage momentum / openings 15, pay level 15, AI resistance 25, aging workforce 10 (Japan only), entry barrier 10.

Will AI replace Chiropractors? AI replacement risk

How AI is changing this job

A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.

AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →

Labor demand for Chiropractors

Employment projections are from the BLS Employment Projections program (2025–35). Annual openings include both new jobs and replacement of workers who leave the occupation.

Skills, education and requirements for Chiropractors

What the work involves

Important abilities

Job Zone 5 — extensive preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★★★☆ Demanding (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

How to become chiropractors

A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.

Career path and how to earn more as chiropractors

Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.

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