Average Chiropractor Salary

Chiropractors help their patients deal with musculoskeletal problems without surgical procedures or medication. People who have an inclination towards holistic healing or those who don't want to undergo a surgical procedure generally turn towards chiropractors for solutions. For the services they provide, the average salary at the entry-level begins at around USD 44,000. Chiropractors take a completely different approach to treat their patients, they look into factors like diet, rest, lifestyle, and genetics.

Chiropractors are also known as chiropractic physicians and they mostly deal with problems related to the nervous system by manipulating the spine. Most chiropractors have their own independent practices, some work in group practices, while others work for hospitals. Like most professions the earnings of a chiropractor depend on the employer.

Education and Job Description

Like most medical professions, you need to complete your undergraduate program in related subjects like Biology, Chemistry, etc. Several students although opt for chiropractor school after they complete their bachelor's degree. Chiropractic education programs consist the minimum of 4,200 hours of classroom and clinical study. A doctor of chiropractic program run by around 15 accredited schools across America is for 4 years.

The 4 year program is divided in two halves, in the first two years classroom study involves Anatomy, Public Health, Pathology, Biochemistry, etc. In the second-half students will be taught subjects dealing with spinal manipulation. They will also be exposed to experience in orthopedics, sports injuries, neurology, physical therapy, and diet.

After successful completion of the programs students get a Doctor of Chiropractic degree and then they are required to obtain a state license to practice. You can only practice as a Doctor of Chiropractic in the state you have received the license from but some states do allow license holders of other states to practice.

Patients who want non-surgical treatment plans for their physical ailments turn to chiropractors. A chiropractor's job description involves conducting medical tests, providing physiotherapy, suggesting lifestyle changes and in some cases devising diet plans for the patients.

Chiropractors are required to conduct physical examinations of the patients, take their medical history, and at times suggest laboratory tests and X-Ray scans. They make manual spine adjustments in patients suffering from musculoskeletal problems. Chiropractor also apply medical aids like straps and belts to help patients improve their posture and suggest exercises to strengthen the spine. They do not prescribe medication but at times refer patients to other doctors if required.

Chiropractor Salary Range

Many chiropractors get specialized training in fields like neurology, orthopedics or pediatrics and this also contributes to the salary range. Chiropractor salaries also depend on the employer and the geographical location of your job.

People who are fresh out of college get an average salary ranging between USD 38,000 to USD 61,000 annually. Those who work in rehabilitation centers earn around USD 40,000 to USD 68,000. Like any other medical job individuals with experience get more salary and it's the same with chiropractors. Those who have experience of more than 10 years in the field can make around USD 100,000 annually.

In states like California, getting a salary higher than the national average is quite common. In California, the salary ranges between USD 35,000 to USD 210,000 for chiropractors, states like New York it ranges between USD 44,000 to USD 175,000 annually.

Chiropractors who use support remedies like acupuncture, massage, and heat therapies are known to excel in this field. According to some sources the projected growth in this industry from the year 2008 to 2018 is expected to be at 20 percent.