How much does a chiropractor make?
The median chiropractor in the United States earns $79,200 per year, about $38.08 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all chiropractors earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 29-1011.
Chiropractor salary range
Pay for chiropractors spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $43,460 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $146,080. The average (mean) wage of $90,520 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $43,460 | $20.90 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $60,070 | $28.88 | |
| Median (50th) | $79,200 | $38.08 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $105,050 | $50.51 | |
| 90th percentile | $146,080 | $70.23 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for chiropractors (SOC 29-1011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Chiropractor salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Chiropractors earn the most in New Jersey at $134,990 a year, and the least in Utah at $53,900. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $134,990 | 1,370 |
| New York | $120,950 | 1,360 |
| Maine | $107,300 | 250 |
| Washington | $104,070 | 1,130 |
| Alaska | $103,500 | 90 |
| Arizona | $100,260 | 1,050 |
| North Carolina | $91,540 | 1,020 |
| Virginia | $88,030 | 900 |
| Texas | $87,520 | 2,840 |
| Oklahoma | $85,580 | 500 |
| Maryland | $85,330 | 390 |
| Florida | $84,280 | 3,220 |
| Tennessee | $83,990 | 500 |
| West Virginia | $83,160 | 60 |
| Wisconsin | $83,020 | 1,210 |
| Rhode Island | $81,840 | 170 |
| Kentucky | $81,740 | 470 |
| Oregon | $81,540 | 610 |
| Alabama | $80,990 | 430 |
| Idaho | $80,770 | 220 |
| Louisiana | $80,280 | 370 |
| Connecticut | $79,560 | 240 |
| Minnesota | $79,510 | 1,160 |
| South Carolina | $79,310 | 680 |
| Mississippi | $78,450 | 130 |
| North Dakota | $77,990 | 360 |
| Indiana | $77,790 | 780 |
| Ohio | $77,710 | 1,380 |
| Arkansas | $76,290 | 320 |
| South Dakota | $76,210 | 260 |
| Montana | $76,120 | 240 |
| Massachusetts | $75,940 | 780 |
| California | $75,470 | 2,760 |
| Iowa | $75,050 | 970 |
| New Mexico | $75,040 | 140 |
| Nevada | $74,190 | 240 |
| Colorado | $74,040 | 1,340 |
| Hawaii | $72,800 | 220 |
| Michigan | $71,220 | 1,270 |
| New Hampshire | $69,990 | 130 |
| Pennsylvania | $67,230 | 1,770 |
| Illinois | $66,650 | 2,190 |
| Nebraska | $66,050 | 500 |
| Missouri | $65,090 | 660 |
| Wyoming | $62,640 | 110 |
| Georgia | $61,660 | 1,500 |
| Kansas | $57,600 | 570 |
| Utah | $53,900 | 490 |
State median wages for chiropractors (SOC 29-1011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for chiropractors
The BLS projects employment of chiropractors to grow 8.7% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 61,700 jobs in 2025 moving toward 67,000 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 2,600 openings a year for chiropractors. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a chiropractor
The typical entry-level education for chiropractors is a doctoral or professional degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a chiropractor earns
Specialty, work setting, shift differentials, certifications, and region drive the numbers. Hospitals, surgical settings, and high cost metros pay above clinics and rural facilities.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (New Jersey, $134,990) and the lowest (Utah, $53,900) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 39,630 people work as chiropractors in the United States. At $79,200 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Chiropractor salary FAQ
How much does a chiropractor make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a chiropractor is $38.08. The middle half of chiropractors earn between $28.88 and $50.51 per hour.
What is the highest chiropractor salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of chiropractors earn more than $146,080 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a chiropractor make a year?
The median annual salary for a chiropractor is $79,200. The average (mean) wage of $90,520 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a chiropractor a well paid job?
At $79,200 a year, a chiropractor earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 39,630 people work as chiropractors in the United States.
Which state pays chiropractors the most?
New Jersey has the highest median salary for chiropractors at $134,990 a year. New York ($120,950) and Maine ($107,300) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a chiropractor a good career?
Employment of chiropractors is projected to grow 8.7% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 2,600 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a chiropractor?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for chiropractors as a doctoral or professional degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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