The Job Outlook for Chiropractors
Before embarking on any career path, it makes sense to consider the job outlook and earnings opportunities in that field in order to make the most informed decision. In the upcoming years, chiropractic will be experiencing fast growth, and chiropractors will continue to earn a robust income.
Quick Facts
- The job market for chiropractors is expected to grow 20 percent by 2018, must faster than the national average for all jobs.
- Job opportunities will be best for chiropractors interested in joining a multi-discipline practice with other types of health care providers, like medical doctors and physical therapists.
- According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the middle 50 percent of chiropractors earn $46,000 to $97,000 a year.
The Job Market
Even in the still-lagging economy, students entering chiropractic school can be confident about the health of the job field they will enter in a few years. The practice of chiropractic is continually growing to be more accepted as medical research confirms its theories, and a wider population is becoming interested in what it has to offer. The large projected growth in the field is expected to come from consumers looking for noninvasive health care alternatives that have a proven track record of effectiveness. The continuing demand for products and services related to healthy living will benefit chiropractors, who offer health care without prolonged side effects or prescription medications.
Changing population demographics will also increase the demand for chiropractic services. As the baby boom generation ages, a higher demand for chiropractic care is expected to result, since chiropractic is an effective treatment to increase daily health in those with problems due to age and long life. Conversely, chiropractic treatment for children is growing in popularity as well, since pediatric chiropractic techniques are safe and very gentle, and children tend to enjoy them.
Earnings Information
Chiropractors enjoy a high standard of living, with the average yearly wage at just above $80,000. For new chiropractors, it is important to remember that wages generally start low when entering the practice, at around $40,000-$45,000. Wages increase over time, as chiropractic doctors increase their client base, earn their clients’ trust, and can demand a higher rate.
Chiropractic is still widely seen as complementary medicine, a treatment to be used in conjunction with traditional allopathic techniques. Because of this, chiropractors who work in a physician’s clinic or a shared office tend to earn the most; patients are referred to the chiropractor by the M.D., creating a steady supply of patients and keeping the treatment in-house. Chiropractors who work in outpatient care centers also have higher earnings, at an average of $86,000 a year; this is likely due to the fact that these D.C.s are treating individuals with acute, debilitating pain that needs to be treated right away or cannot be resolved with medication.
Sources:
Occupational Employment and Wages--Chiropractors. (2011) Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Chiropractors. (2011) Bureau of Labor Statistics.
