Chiropractor

Your Fit

Income

$79K

Preparation

Extensive

Growth

8.8%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Chiropractor?

A Chiropractor is a healthcare professional specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, particularly the spine. They emphasize manual therapy including spinal adjustment and other joint and soft-tissue manipulations.

Sample job titles:

Chiropractic Doctor (DC), Chiropractic Neurologist, Chiropractic Physician, Chiropractor

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Chiropractor.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Chiropractor earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) in 2024 was...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$45K per year	$59K per year	$79K per year	$104K per year	$150K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $30K above the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Chiropractor do?

Work environment

Chiropractors typically work in private practice, either independently or as part of a healthcare team. Their environment is often a clinical setting, such as a private clinic or health center. They may work regular business hours, but some also offer evening and weekend appointments to accommodate patients' schedules.

Quick task list

Conducts patient assessments, including medical history, physical examinations, and diagnostic tests.
Develops and discusses treatment plans with patients.
Performs spinal adjustments and other manual therapies to treat musculoskeletal issues.
Provides advice on lifestyle, diet, and exercise for holistic wellness.
Keeps detailed patient records and manages clinic administrative tasks.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Sports Chiropractic: Specializing in treating athletes, focusing on sports injuries and performance enhancement.
Pediatric Chiropractic: Providing care specifically for children, from infants to adolescents.
Geriatric Chiropractic: Focusing on the unique needs of elderly patients.
Rehabilitation: Specializing in post-injury recovery and physical rehabilitation.
Animal Chiropractic: Offering chiropractic care to animals, primarily pets and livestock.

Description

Chiropractic is a healthcare profession that centers on the body's ability to heal itself through manual therapies, with a primary focus on spinal manipulation. Chiropractors take a holistic approach to patient care, often considering multiple aspects of a patient's lifestyle and health. They play a significant role in preventive care, pain management, and the overall maintenance of musculoskeletal health.

The practice of chiropractic requires a thorough understanding of the human body, particularly the spine and nervous system. Chiropractors must be skilled in various manual adjustment techniques and often use other treatments such as therapeutic exercise and nutritional counseling. The profession demands strong analytical skills to diagnose effectively and the ability to develop and implement treatment plans.

A career as a chiropractor can be highly rewarding, as it allows for direct patient interaction and the opportunity to make a tangible difference in patients' health and quality of life. Chiropractors often build long-term relationships with patients, contributing to their ongoing health and wellness.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Making a direct impact on patients' health and well-being.
The intellectual challenge of diagnosing and treating diverse cases.
Independence in running a private practice.
Building long-term patient relationships.

You might make a good Chiropractor if you are...

Interested in health, wellness, and the human body.
Compassionate and enjoy helping others improve their health.
Good at communicating and able to build trust with patients.
Detail-oriented, especially in assessing patient needs and maintaining records.
Interested in a hands-on approach to healthcare.

Pros:

High level of patient interaction and the ability to see the results of your work.
Flexibility in work environment and schedule, especially in private practice.
Continual learning and professional development opportunities.

Cons:

The physical demands of performing manual adjustments.
The need for continual marketing and business management in private practice.
Challenges with insurance and healthcare regulations.

How to become a Chiropractor

Typical education

Becoming a chiropractor requires a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree, which typically takes 4 years to complete after obtaining an undergraduate degree. This totals approximately 8 years of post-secondary education, including undergraduate and chiropractic school.

High school preparation

Courses:

Biology and Human Anatomy to understand the basics of the human body.
Physics to grasp the mechanics of body movement.
Health and Wellness courses for a foundation in holistic health approaches.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Volunteering at healthcare facilities or wellness centers.
Participating in sports or physical fitness activities.
Shadowing a chiropractor or other healthcare professionals.

Preparation after high school

Completing a bachelor's degree, preferably with a focus on sciences like biology or kinesiology.
Attending a chiropractic college to obtain a Doctor of Chiropractic degree.
Gaining experience through internships or apprenticeships in chiropractic clinics.
Obtaining licensure, which typically requires passing national and state exams.

More resources

American Chiropractic Association (ACA) - Provides resources, education, and advocacy for chiropractic professionals.
Council on Chiropractic Education - Offers accreditation standards and a list of accredited chiropractic colleges.
National Board of Chiropractic Examiners - Information about national board exams for chiropractic licensure.
ChiroWeb - Features articles, research, and resources for chiropractic practice.
World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC) - Represents national associations of chiropractors worldwide, providing global resources and information.

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