Chiropractors treat problems with the musculoskeletal systems by manipulating the spine in order to align the joints. Education starts with two to four years of an undergraduate education, followed by four years at a chiropractic college. All states mandate a license that requires passing either all or part of the four-part test administered by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners.
Work
Chiropractors work in clean and comfortable offices that are designed to be appealing to their patients. They typically work 40 hours per week, though the schedule may include evenings and weekends for the convenience of patients. They must be able to stand for long periods. Their median salary is $67,650 per year, with a range of $32,750 to $150,570. This is equivalent to $32.53 hourly, with a range of $15.74 to $72.39. All amounts are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2009.
Employers
The biggest employers of chiropractors are the offices of other health practitioners, which include those who are self employed. They comprise 92 percent of the available 26,310 jobs and pay a mean $38.40 per hour, or $79,870 per year. The highest paying employers are doctors offices, with mean wages at $44.93 per hour, or $93,450 per year, but because they only offer employment for 950, jobs here are more difficult to get.
Geography
The state with the highest wages for chiropractors is Tennessee, with mean rates at $53.88 per hour, or $112,060 per year for 210 positions. Wisconsin, which is also ranked in the top five for pay, has mean lower wages at $49.05 per hour, or $102,030 per year, but almost four times the employment with 810 jobs. As for cities, the one with the highest paying employers is Charlotte, North Carolina, where the mean wages of $66.50 per hour, or $138,320 annually, apply to 140 jobs.
Prospects
The bureau sees jobs for chiropractors growing at 20 percent until 2018, which is much faster than average for all occupations. The increases will come from consumer demand for less costly alternative healthcare that is also noninvasive. A growing elderly population, who may experience more structural problems, will also require chiropractic care. Prospects are expected to be very good, especially for those who join a healthcare team that can include, for example, a medical doctor and physical therapist.
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