Career Profile • 29-1011

Chiropractors

Typical entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree. 2025 median annual wage: $79200. Projected employment change, 2025–35: 8.6999999999999993%.

Chiropractors career field illustration
Typical EducationDoctoral or professional degree
Median Annual Wage$79,200
Projected Growth8.7%
Annual Openings2.6
Employment, 202561.7
Projected Employment, 203567
Related ExperienceNone
On-the-Job TrainingNone
Skills That Matter

Top Skills for This Career

BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.

1
Adaptability

Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.

2
Interpersonal

Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.

3
Problem solving and decision making

Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.

How do these skills connect to you?Use Hear From ED to reflect on your strengths, interests and work preferences.Explore with ED →
Education & Training Pathway

How Do You Prepare for This Career?

BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.

🎓Typical Entry EducationDoctoral or professional degree
🧰On-the-Job TrainingNone
💼Related ExperienceNone

How to Become One

Chiropractors typically need a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree. Completing a D.C. program typically takes about 4 years, in addition to at least 3 years of undergraduate study. Every state requires chiropractors to be licensed. PayThe median annual wage for chiropractors was $79,200 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of chiropractors is projected to grow 9 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 2,600 openings for chiropractors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for chiropractors. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of chiropractors with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about chiropractors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

Your Next Step

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Earnings

Pay

The median annual wage for chiropractors was $79,200 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of chiropractors is projected to grow 9 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 2,600 openings for chiropractors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for chiropractors. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of chiropractors with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about chiropractors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

$79,2002025 median annual wage
Future Outlook

Job Outlook

Employment of chiropractors is projected to grow 9 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 2,600 openings for chiropractors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for chiropractors. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of chiropractors with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about chiropractors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

What They Do

Chiropractors assess, treat, and care for patients by manipulating the spine and musculoskeletal system.

Work Environment

Most chiropractors work in a solo or group chiropractic practice. Some are self-employed. Chiropractors usually work full time, but part-time work is common.

How to Become a Chiropractor

Chiropractors typically need a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree. Completing a D.C. program typically takes about 4 years, in addition to at least 3 years of undergraduate study. Every state requires chiropractors to be licensed.

Pay

The median annual wage for chiropractors was $79,200 in May 2025.

Job Outlook

Employment of chiropractors is projected to grow 9 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.

About 2,600 openings for chiropractors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

State & Area Data

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for chiropractors.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of chiropractors with similar occupations.

More Information, Including Links to O*NET

Learn more about chiropractors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

Work Environment

Most chiropractors work in a solo or group chiropractic practice. Some are self-employed. Chiropractors usually work full time, but part-time work is common.

How to Become a Chiropractor

Chiropractors typically need a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree. Completing a D.C. program typically takes about 4 years, in addition to at least 3 years of undergraduate study. Every state requires chiropractors to be licensed.

Pay

The median annual wage for chiropractors was $79,200 in May 2025.

Job Outlook

Employment of chiropractors is projected to grow 9 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.

About 2,600 openings for chiropractors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

State & Area Data

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for chiropractors.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of chiropractors with similar occupations.

More Information, Including Links to O*NET

Learn more about chiropractors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

State & Area Data

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for chiropractors.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of chiropractors with similar occupations.

More Information, Including Links to O*NET

Learn more about chiropractors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

More Information

Learn more about chiropractors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

Take the Next Step

Find Education Programs

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Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.

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