Chiropractors

Summary

Chiropractors counsel patients on musculoskeletal problems and overall health issues.

Quick Facts: Chiropractors
2010 Median Pay	$67,200 per year $32.31 per hour
Entry-Level Education	Doctoral or professional degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation	None
On-the-job Training	None
Number of Jobs, 2010	52,600
Job Outlook, 2010-20	28% (Faster than average)
Employment Change, 2010-20	14,900

What Chiropractors Do

Chiropractors treat patients with health problems of the musculoskeletal system, which is made up of bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. They use spinal manipulation and other techniques to treat patients' ailments, such as back or neck pain.

Work Environment

Most chiropractors work in a solo or group chiropractic practice. A large number are self-employed.

How to Become a Chiropractor

Becoming a chiropractor typically requires 7 to 8 years of post–high school study: 3 to 4 years of undergraduate education, followed by a 4-year Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree program. Chiropractors also must be licensed by their state.

Pay

The median annual wage of chiropractors was $67,200 in May 2010.

Job Outlook

Employment of chiropractors is expected to increase by 28 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. People across all age groups are increasingly becoming interested in chiropractic care because it consists of nonsurgical methods of treatment.

Similar Occupations

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

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Contacts for More Information

Learn more about chiropractors by contacting these additional resources.

What Chiropractors Do About this section

Chiropractors perform manual therapy to help patients with back and neck pain.

Chiropractors treat patients with health problems of the musculoskeletal system, which is made up of bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. They use spinal manipulation and other techniques to treat patients' ailments, such as back or neck pain.

Duties

Chiropractors typically do the following:

• Assess a patient's medical condition by reviewing his or her medical history, listening to the patient's concerns, and performing a physical examination
• Analyze the patient's posture and spine
• Provide musculoskeletal therapy, which involves adjusting a patient's spinal column and other joints by hand
• Conduct additional diagnostic tests, including evaluating a patient's posture or taking x rays
• Provide additional treatments, such as applying heat or cold to a patient's injured areas
• Advise patients on health and lifestyle issues, such as exercise and sleep habits
• Refer patients to other medical specialists if needed

Chiropractors focus on patients' overall health. Many believe that misalignments of the spinal joints interfere with a person's nervous system and can result in lower resistance to disease and many different conditions of diminished health.

Some chiropractors use additional procedures, such as acupuncture, massage therapy, and ultrasound. They also may apply supports, such as straps, tape, braces, or shoe inserts, to treat patients and alleviate pain.

In addition to operating a general chiropractic practice, some chiropractors specialize in sports injuries, neurology, orthopedics, pediatrics, nutrition, internal disorders, or diagnostic imaging.

Many chiropractors are solo or group practitioners who also have the administrative responsibilities of running a practice. In larger offices, chiropractors delegate these tasks to office managers and chiropractic assistants. Chiropractors in private practice are responsible for developing a patient base, hiring employees, and keeping records.

Work Environment About this section

Chiropractors use adjustment tools to treat musculoskeletal problems.

Chiropractors held about 52,600 jobs in 2010. Most chiropractors work in a solo or group practice. Many are self-employed, meaning that they own or are partners in owning their practice. A small number work in hospitals or physicians' offices.

Chiropractors typically work in office settings that are clean and comfortable. They might be on their feet for long periods when treating patients.

Work Schedules

Although most chiropractors work full time, 21 percent worked part time in 2010. About 1 out of 4 chiropractors worked 50 hours or more per week. Chiropractors may work in the evenings to accommodate working patients. Self-employed chiropractors set their own hours.

How to Become a Chiropractor About this section

Becoming a chiropractor requires earning a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree and obtaining a state license.

Becoming a chiropractor requires earning a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree and getting a state license. Doctor of Chiropractic programs take 4 years to complete and require 3 years of previous undergraduate college education for admission.

Education

Prospective chiropractors are required to have a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree, a postgraduate professional degree that takes 4 years to complete. Admission to D.C. programs requires at least 90 semester hours of undergraduate education, with courses in the liberal arts and laboratory sciences, such as physics, chemistry, and biology. Although not required, many students earn a bachelor’s degree before going on to a chiropractic program. Chiropractors also may gain master’s degrees in related areas, such as nutrition or sports rehabilitation. 

Chiropractic education consists of classroom work in anatomy, physiology, biology, and similar subjects. This work is completed during the first 2 years of a D.C. program. Chiropractic students then get supervised clinical experience, in which they train in spinal manipulation and diagnosis. Following graduation, some chiropractors complete residencies to get additional training in specialty areas, such as chiropractic radiology or pediatrics.

The Council on Chiropractic Education has accredited 15 programs to award D.C. degrees.

Licenses

All states and the District of Columbia require chiropractors to be licensed. Although specific requirements vary by state, all jurisdictions require the completion of an accredited Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) program.

All jurisdictions also require passing exams, either their own specific exams or those administered by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners or both. These exams include written tests and, usually, a practical evaluation. States usually require continuing education to keep the license. Check with your state’s board of chiropractic examiners or health department for more specific information on licensure.  

Important Qualities

Detail oriented. Chiropractors must be observant and pay attention to details to make proper diagnoses and avoid mistakes that might harm patients.

Dexterity. Because they use their hands to perform spinal manipulation, chiropractors should be skilled and coordinated to perform the necessary therapy effectively.

Empathy. Chiropractors are often treating people who are in pain. They must be sympathetic to their patients' needs.  

Interpersonal skills. Chiropractors must be personable to keep clients coming to them. Also, because chiropractors frequently touch patients in performing therapy, they should be able to able to put their patients at ease.

Pay About this section

The median annual wage of chiropractors was $67,200 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $32,270, and the top 10 percent earned more than $143,670.

Chiropractors tend to earn significantly less early in their careers and then earn more as they build a client base and become owners of or partners in a practice. According to a survey conducted by Chiropractic Economics magazine, the average salary for chiropractors was $87,538 in 2010.

Although most chiropractors work full time, 21 percent worked part time in 2010. About 1 out of 4 chiropractors worked 50 or more hours per week. Chiropractors may stay open in the evenings to accommodate working patients. Self-employed chiropractors set their own hours.

Job Outlook About this section

Employment of chiropractors is expected to increase by 28 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations.

People across all age groups are increasingly seeking chiropractic care, because most chiropractors treat patients without performing surgery or prescribing drugs. Chiropractic treatment of the back, neck, limbs, and joints has become more accepted as a result of research and changing attitudes about alternative healthcare.   

The aging of the large baby-boom generation will lead to new opportunities for chiropractors, because older adults are more likely to experience musculoskeletal and joint problems.

Demand for chiropractic treatment is related to the ability of patients to pay, either directly or through health insurance. Although more insurance plans now cover chiropractic services, the extent of such coverage varies among plans. Chiropractors must educate communities about the benefits of chiropractic care to establish a successful practice.

Contacts for More Information About this section

For information on a career as a chiropractor, visit

American Chiropractic Association

For a list of chiropractic programs and institutions, as well as for general information on chiropractic education, visit

Association of Chiropractic Colleges

For information on state education and licensure requirements, visit

Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards