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Chiropractors

Typical education: Doctoral or professional degreeHigh pressure Bright Outlook

What they do

Assess, treat, and care for patients by manipulation of spine and musculoskeletal system. May provide spinal adjustment or address sacral or pelvic misalignment.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Social: Helping, teaching, caring for and supporting other people.
  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.

High pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $79,200 Median per year · $38.08/hr Most earn $43,460–$146,080

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Diagnose health problems by reviewing patients' health and medical histories, questioning, observing, and examining patients and interpreting x-rays.
  • Obtain and record patients' medical histories.
  • Take x-rays.
  • Perform a series of manual adjustments to the spine or other articulations of the body to correct the musculoskeletal system.
  • Consult with or refer patients to appropriate health practitioners when necessary.
  • Suggest and apply the use of supports such as straps, tapes, bandages, or braces if necessary.

Job outlook

Bright Outlook Rapid Growth

United States
9% more jobs by 2035, much faster than average · about 2,600 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Offices of chiropractors57.5%
  • Self-employed (their own business)36.3%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Doctoral or professional degreeExperience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Chiropractor is not an entry-level job. Most people finish a bachelor's degree, work for a year or two in a related role, and then complete a doctoral program, so the full path usually takes about 9 to 10 years after high school.

  1. Bachelor's degree in a science such as biology or kinesiology

    4 years

    You build a strong science base and take the prerequisite courses that chiropractic programs usually require.

  2. Chiropractic Assistant

    1-2 years

    You learn how a chiropractic office runs, how patients are cared for, and how treatment plans are followed, which gives you real experience before graduate school.

  3. Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree, then state license

    4 years

    You study anatomy, spinal care, and clinical practice, then pass the licensing exams and get licensed in your state so you can treat patients on your own.

  4. Chiropractor

    Ongoing

    You assess, treat, and care for patients, usually by adjusting the spine and musculoskeletal system.

Where it can lead

  1. Chiropractic Clinic Director

    3-5 years of experience first

    You manage a clinic's staff, schedules, and patient flow, and you take on more leadership as you show good business and people skills.

  2. Chiropractic Practice Owner

    5+ years of experience first

    You open or buy your own practice, which means handling the business side such as hiring, budgets, and marketing along with patient care.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take biology, chemistry, and anatomy if your school offers themThese classes build the science foundation you will need for a bachelor's degree and then a chiropractic program.
  • Volunteer at a clinic, physical therapy office, or hospitalSeeing patient care up close helps you learn whether you enjoy working with people who have pain or injuries.
  • Get a starter job, such as a front desk or aide job at a medical or wellness officeYou learn how patient offices run and build responsibility that will help when you apply to programs later.
  • Join a sports, health, or science clubTeamwork and hands-on activities show interest in movement and the body, and they look good on future applications.

In college

  • Major in a science like kinesiology, biology, or exercise scienceThese majors cover the anatomy, physiology, and movement classes that chiropractic programs usually expect.
  • Get a part-time job or internship at a chiropractic office or clinicWorking as a clinic assistant gives you hands-on experience and the one to two years of related work that many people have before starting the doctoral program.
  • Shadow a chiropractor and ask questions about the daily workShadowing helps you see what the job really involves and lets you ask about the program and licensing process.
  • Keep your grades strong, especially in science coursesChiropractic programs are competitive, and strong science grades are one of the first things admissions teams review.

Tips for getting started

  • Shadow or volunteer with a licensed chiropractor early on. It shows you whether the daily work of hands-on patient care fits you.
  • Choose a bachelor's major with strong science classes and keep your grades high, since chiropractic programs look closely at your science record.

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

  • Chiropractic Professional degree: typical pay 1 year after finishing $58,413 a year · typical debt $191,354

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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