Chiropractors: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Chiropractors fall under the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical category in the U.S. occupational classification. Chiropractors earn a median salary of $79,000 per year, ranking in the top 25% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +9.5% job growth through 2034, projected to grow faster than the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree followed by a professional doctorate (such as MD, DO, JD, DDS, or PharmD), with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do chiropractors earn?

The median annual wage for chiropractors is $79,000. That puts chiropractors at #199 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is above the U.S. median for individual workers and reflects a stable, credentialed occupation. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is chiropractors a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for chiropractors is +9.5%, projected to grow faster than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 57K positions in 2024 to 62K in 2034, a net change of 5K. Faster-than-average growth means hiring is consistently outpacing the labor market overall. New entrants generally find their first roles faster than peers in stable fields.

What do chiropractors do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working chiropractors, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Analyze x-rays to locate the sources of patients' difficulties and to rule out fractures or diseases as sources of problems.
2. 2.Consult with or refer patients to appropriate health practitioners when necessary.
3. 3.Recommend and arrange for diagnostic procedures, such as blood chemistry tests, saliva tests, x-rays, or other imaging procedures.
4. 4.Suggest and apply the use of supports such as straps, tapes, bandages, or braces if necessary.
5. 5.Evaluate the functioning of the neuromuscularskeletal system and the spine using systems of chiropractic diagnosis.
6. 6.Maintain accurate case histories of patients.
7. 7.Advise patients about recommended courses of treatment.
8. 8.Diagnose health problems by reviewing patients' health and medical histories, questioning, observing, and examining patients and interpreting x-rays.

Top skills for chiropractors

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become chiropractor?

Becoming a chiropractor typically requires a bachelor's degree followed by a master's, doctoral, or professional degree, plus state licensure or board certification depending on specialty. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Family Medicine Physicians
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• Nurse Anesthetists
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• Pediatricians, General
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• Dentists, General
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Common questions parents ask about chiropractors