Average Chiropractor Salary
According to the National Institutes of Health, a chiropractor's main focus is making adjustments to the spine or other parts of the body that will correct alignment issues and encourage the body's self-healing capabilities. Many chiropractors are individual or group practitioners who may also be responsible for administrative duties. People commonly contact a chiropractor to help remedy back and neck pain, as well as headaches.
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Chiropractic Theory
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Chiropractic care is an alternative approach to the treatment of health problems. Chiropractors perform a hands-on therapy called spinal manipulation or adjustment. A 2007 National Health Interview Survey found approximately 18 million adults in the United States had received chiropractic or osteopathic---treatment by a fully licensed physician---manipulation in the past year.
Education
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Chiropractic practitioners in the United States are required to earn a four-year Doctor of Chiropractic degree from an accredited college.The National Board of Chiropractic Examiners gives an exam that most state boards require to be passed in order to become licensed.
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Working Conditions and Duties
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Chiropractors generally work in a clean and comfortable environment. They often work a typical 40-hour work week, but it's not unusual to work additional hours. Chiropractors who take X-rays must take proper precautions against the hazards associated with repetitive exposure to radiation. In addition to spinal adjustments, a chiropractor may perform electrical stimulation treatments, provide heat and ice therapies, and give advice about rehabilitative exercise, diet, weight loss and dietary supplements.
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Salary Range
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According to a survey conducted by Chiropractic Economics magazine, the mean salary for chiropractors in 2005 was just over $104,000. A top-paid chiropractor can earn $118,000 annually, a midrange salary falls between $69,000 and $85,000, and lower-end earnings range from $40,000 to $69,000.
Self-Employed vs. Salaried
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Earnings can vary substantially depending on whether a chiropractor is self-employed or salaried. While salaried chiropractors typically earn smaller incomes, they are likely to receive heath insurance and retirement benefits from their employers, whereas self-employed chiropractors must pay for both out of pocket. The average annual income for a salaried chiropractor is upwards of $60,000. The median salary for a sole practitioner is just over $80,000.
Level of Experience
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Years of experience can have a big influence on the annual salary of a chiropractor. For example, the average earnings for a first-year chiropractor is around $40,000. One with 10 years experience might make more than $80,000, and a veteran chiropractor who has been in practice for at least 20 years could earn $120,000.
Geographic Location
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The geographic location of a chiropractor can have a major influence on his salary. For example, a chiropractor in San Diego could earn upwards of $120,000, while one in Minneapolis might expect to make $50,000. Some U.S. cities, including Houston and Boston, fall somewhere in the middle at around $79,000.
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