Chiropractic Salary: What Can You Expect to Earn?

How much money can you make as a chiropractor? In this video, I look at the highest earners, lowest earners, and what you can expect if you end up somewhere in the middle.
Your income and salary as a chiropractor can depend upon a variety of factors, but new data has shown that almost 10% of your income is based upon...
...you'll have to watch the video to find out!
_________________________________________
Jeff Langmaid is a chiropractor, author, and speaker. He built the worlds largest research-focused chiropractic communication service, The Evidence Based Chiropractor. He also is the founder of Chiro Office Coverage. Throughout his career he has been featured on Yahoo Health, MSN Health, CBS, ABC, Prevention Magazine, Chiropractic Economics, Circle of Docs, The Chiropractic Philanthropist, amongst others.
The Evidence Based Chiropractor KZbin channel is designed to provide immediate, action-able knowledge regarding chiropractic, communication, business, and marketing. All to help you grow and develop your practice.
Learn more at-
The Evidence Based Chiropractor: www.TheEvidence...
Chiro Office Coverage: www.ChiroOffice...
Facebook: / theevidencebasedchirop...

[@minimcewen]

A very fair commentary and accurate. I can say that in the past D.C.'s would inflate and exaggerate their personal income in order to appear more like their medical counterparts. Some of this was perpetuated by the schools who promoted these numbers in order to justify their dramatic increases in tuition which were not justified in the marketplace. This has made it very, very difficult for chiropractors to launch careers after finishing school. It is not easy and your medical counterparts will get help not available to you. If you love chiropractic then by all means proceed, just be eyes wide open to the reality of the healthcare marketplace.

[@Theevidencebasedchiropractor]

Thank you Gary- I agree.

[@BlackBeard76]

So true. It is a terrible educational choice.

[@lawrencegoodstein6539]

Unfortunately there is so much corruption in Chiropractic because the money is so bad and reimbursement by insurance is even worse. There is so many personal injury mills in certain states. The theory and practice of Chiropractic can be a beautiful thing however it has been ruined by so many Greedy and corrupt individual’s.

[@lukekapala1020]

good video but remember this, with being a chiropractor it is all about how successful you are. if you are like me, 8 years for 30-100k a year is sort of turn off. However, I have met several chiropractors who are making a lot more than this due to them being work-driven and success-oriented. A very successful chiro I know said that 1 mil was possible. Its a motivating driving force that all chiropractors should use. If you want to make more money as a chiro then the rest, you are going to have to get results.

[@paulbrungardt9823]

Insight for young folks thinking about health care professions: I considered being a chiropractor years ago. Ultimately, I practiced optometry for 30 years...Optometry, chiropractic & podiatry are not compensated for the miserable 8 years of college & professional school. During the 4 years of grad school, my classmates from undergraduate, bought homes while I watched home prices rise. I bought a home for much more after graduating optometry school. Self employed doctors get no employer benefits. Self employed = no paid vacation, sick days, employer contribution to 401K, Liability insurance. Self employed doctors have to pay both sides of social security tax, while employed doctors only pay half of it. (12.4% for social security (old-age, survivors, and disability insurance) and 2.9% for Medicare (hospital insurance). Figure employer benefits as 30% of your compensation. My son is a commercial pilot and has great benefits and income of over $175,000. If you feel a spiritual need to be in optometry, chiropractic or podiatry, go for it; otherwise, don't put yourself through it ... Good luck and blessing to all.

[@Theevidencebasedchiropractor]

good insights- thank you for sharing!

[@ganiyusodiq5606]

Do you need a responsive Website for your chiropractic business?

[@spinedoc893]

Those numbers can be a little misleading and its very difficult to get a snapshot of what chiros earn because there are so many ways to practice. Some younger DC's simply get a salary, which is usually not great, some are sole proprietors, some corporations, some are associates within another DC's office and would pay a percentage to the doc that owns the practice. Also you have to factor in that there are many chiros who only work part time such as those with young kids or older docs who still want to practice but don't need larger income anymore or aren't physically able, or don't want to work a large patient load. Also some doc do things like consulting or independent examinations for insurance companies etc. In addition as self employed many chiros minimize there earned income for tax purposes by offsetting expenses which can make income look artificially low. Unfortunately, or fortunately depending upon your perspective, chiropractic is one of those professions where the income varies dramatically. There are the rare few that make $30k/yr, the rare few that make 7 figures/yr and most of us are somewhere in between. The beauty of it is that to a large degree it is in your own control. Do the math, a small office with fairly low overhead can see 30-50 patients/ day at say $50/tx on the low end. I can easily see 30 pts in 6hrs so in a 30 hr week thats over $32K gross/ month on a 30 hr work week and my expenses are less than 8k. I also have an associate Dr who uses my office 15hrs/ week and pays me a percentage of his gross for the use of the office so that all nets out to be well over $20-25k/month on a 30 hr work week. Not too shabby. And like I say I run what I consider to be a small practice. But its a nice enjoyable pace and not very stressful

[@TheMrCRho]

As a last semester chiropractic student, I would love to hear more about how you run your business and if you have any resources that you can point me to that helped you. Thank you in advance!!

[@sarahrico7293]

I would also love to know more about how you run your business, how you keep your overhead low.

[@johnsmithh662]

Definitely a daunting undertaking when you look at it from the starting line. Parker University is currently $13,000 per trimester just for tuition and class fees. There are 10 of those. You are then expected to spend another $13,000-$14,500 for books, living expenses, food, etc… per trimester. So you’re looking at about $27,000-$28,500 per trimester…times 10. So about $277,000 to become a DC. I’m also married with three kids. The advisors will tell you that you can’t realistically work during this time because school takes about 40-60 hours per week. Then to think you’re going to come out and make maybe $60-$80k if you land a good job. Then you decide to open your own practice….here comes another $300-$450k to get a building and medical equipment. So now you’re looking at around $650-$750k in debt you’re paying off. Say you get to where you’re making $100k a year. You can expect a fat portion of your monthly income to go back to that debt you owe that’s gaining with interest. Say you pay $20,000 a year back towards your school and business loans…you’ll be doing that for 35-40 years at that rate. But hey…you’re doing what you love and you are your own boss.

[@Theevidencebasedchiropractor]

Well articulated!

[@stemikger]

I think they should lower the cost of Chiropractic school. It simply is not worth the loans they take out for the potential upside. After all that hard work and dedication and I often see them in the Malls and street fairs fishing for patients, customers, clients, etc. That's just crazy to me.

[@Theevidencebasedchiropractor]

Agreed!

[@toddaustin2198]

TY for the info. If 70% of my fellow D.C.s are Sole Proprietors then they need to get with the program, learn about taxes, get incorporated and learn to harness the power of the Corporation. From 1996 to 2001 I was a Sole Proprietor. Getting incorporated in 2002 was an absolute game changer!

[@Theevidencebasedchiropractor]

Great insight Todd!

[@AC-pu2eh]

Is Sole proprietor just your way of saying they have a solo owned practice? I cant see 70% of these solo practices not being incorporated. I can however believe that 70% of chiropractors have their own solo practices.

[@toddaustin2198]

AC, no. "Sole Proprietor" is a business structure. Sole Proprietors file a Schedule C come tax time and are taxed out the wazoo! LLCs and S-Corps enjoy much more favorable tax treatment and we aren't taxed on every dollar like the Sole Proprietor is. As I stated, I have a solo owned practice since 1996 but I became well versed on 🇺🇲 tax law in 2002 and got my small business incorporated.

[@AC-pu2eh]

todd austin yes I’m aware of the differences. I’m an S Corp. I was just saying it’s hard to believe that 70% of chiropractors are sole proprietors. It sounds like they are using the term “sole proprietors” as a way of the saying “independant business” owner. If that statistic is intact true, that is pretty sad. No wonder a majority of chiros are not good business owners.

[@GreatWhiteVan]

Hey Jeff! Just finding out about your work, I’m an upcoming clinic student entering 7th trimester at NYCC and looking to get the ball rolling for what’s to come after and starting in the field. Do you have any additional resources available for someone looking to open up their own practice right out of school? Thanks!

[@Theevidencebasedchiropractor]

Hey Dane- thanks for checking out the channel. Hit up the blog at www.thesmartchiropractor.com Tons of great articles and resources there!

[@natto7519]

Would going for a degree in kinesiology be good for a undergraduate school? Im a highschool student looking into being a chiropractor

[@Theevidencebasedchiropractor]

Yes- that should cover the requirements for sure. Double check with your guidance counselor, but I think you'll be in great shape.

[@natto7519]

@@Theevidencebasedchiropractor thankyou!

[@biteme972]

I was in biology for my degree plan which required me to take anatomy and general chemistry so I got into chiropractor school right away but I know people in kinesiology that didn’t have all the required courses so deff double check on what courses is need to get in

[@beelzebub2834]

None of my chriproactic peers amde 30 k that absudr as a doctor of chiroparctoc my starting point was 12 k a month now im make 420000 a year.

[@faizananwar571]

U make $420 000 a year bro that’s insane is that after expenses do you own ur own practice if so do u hire other specialists in your practice and take a percentage of their earnings let me know how this works

[@JakeFields92]

Im in school for chiropractic and currently working at Trader Joes. I'm making 30k a year average. If I can make at least double of that right out of school, I'll be content with life lol!

[@Theevidencebasedchiropractor]

Right on! I think that is VERY doable.

[@Amanda.c91]

ER nurse here, looking in to applying to a chiropractor school. Do you think a bachelors of science in nursing would cover the prerequisites for a chiro school? I dig being a nurse but I can’t do it forever. And I like the approach of chiropractics as opposed to western medicine approach with nursing. I have no desire to learn any more from the curriculum offered for higher nursing degrees.

[@Theevidencebasedchiropractor]

I would think so; but check with the school you're interested in to know for sure.

[@jeremybardgett3850]

yes! I'm currently a tri 3 at Logan University and we have 3-5 individuals who were nurses for a couple years and decided to make the switch! It's a very rigorous program but you can do it!

[@toddrenshaw24]

​@jeremybardgett3850 I've been a nurse for 13 years and I'm starting at logan in September

[@wompwomp5586]

What’s your salary and cost of school?

[@Theevidencebasedchiropractor]

@@wompwomp5586 I think the average cost of a chiropractic education is approx $200-250K.

[@wompwomp5586]

The Evidence Based Chiropractor That’s a hefty bill and you seem like a nice honest guy, I hope you were able to tackle that debt and become successful.

[@jarodfranklin4737]

Mine was $12k per trimester (10 Trimesters).

[@ismaelcuadrarivera6991]

@@jarodfranklin4737 What school?

[@santaquinchiropractic6254]

@@Theevidencebasedchiropractor Palmer West was $104,000 add on board exams and books ... and it was around 110,000. I graduated in 2015. I think you must be including living expenses and interest? I remember in my 13 quarter the financial aid lady came to our class and said the average student for my class took out 200k in loans.

[@magdalinekovalchuk]

What do you really major in to be a chiropractor? In undergrad? Im thinking of pairing something with my cello performance degree so I can do this if the other degree doesn't work out.

[@Theevidencebasedchiropractor]

Most chiropractors have an undergraduate degree in the health sciences!

[@danielleposey28]

is health science or kinesiology a good major if i want to go into this field?

[@Theevidencebasedchiropractor]

For sure- both are great options!

[@Johnnysaintrizz]

Geeze! Such low salaries for DC’s...my bro is a nurse in NYC and he makes $120,000 a year.

[@noahfrey.]

Isn't rent for a shitbox in nyc like 10k a month? haha

[@vice_santos]

Noah David hahaha

[@Theevidencebasedchiropractor]

Yup- it's tough as a young doc with hundreds of thousands of debt and a very low salary. No one said it would be easy!

[@MDMarrs]

And actually helps people

[@octane8872]

Being a nurse is being overworked and being treated blue collar.

[@GiovannyRios]

Question Doc , what would /should be the average profit margin of a semi successful sole proprietor practice in large city with a healthy number of patients?

[@Theevidencebasedchiropractor]

Too many variables- I would say around $100,000 take home if I had to guess.

[@johnbaldwindc7755]

If you look at the reality side of it. You be in school for about 8 years ( 4 years under grad and 4 years grad school) and in debt for around 250,000.00 for school loans. After that you will be making 30 to 60k a year maybe. Your school loan payment will be about 1000 to 1500 a month. If you are willing to take insurance, be ready to be raked over the coals and get paid pennies on the dollar. Or pay someone 10 dollars an hour to chase 20 dollars. The return on investment is not there, in most cases. There is so much more that I could go on about but I will not at this time. Run the numbers, do your research and make the best choice for you.

[@Theevidencebasedchiropractor]

Good feedback; the only caveat is that there are a bunch of jobs at 85K+ (we have over 100 open opportunities right now at www.chiromatchmaker.com)

[@jeremybardgett3850]

The chiropractors around where I live (MO) Make roughly $100-125 a year (STL, CHESTERFIELD, BALLWIN AREA). Not sure where you live at but should see or try and branch out to other states!!

[@drmarcusvill]

Dr Baldwin you are right about the time line and that is what I made my first two years - however being 13 years in I do as well as most MDs that I know financially. It took me almost a decade to pay off Parker Chiro school loans but I did it and life is good. The ROI is there after enough time in a good practice.

[@bluebird1463]

If im 13 and want to be a chiropractor, should I start studying on different areas of the spine and stuff like that, or is it too earlly to start immersing myself in the subject?

[@Theevidencebasedchiropractor]

hey! congrats- you have plenty of time to learn :)

[@vickyburton2434]

I think the practices that sell sets, supplements and services make more.

[@Theevidencebasedchiropractor]

It depends, but in general yes a practice will that has a more diverse revenue stream will have the potential to generate more than those that don't.

[@ganiyusodiq5606]

Do you need a responsive Website for your chiropractic business?

[@romancasanova2284]

I’m an upcoming senior and I really want to be a chiropractor. Only issue is that i don’t know where to start. I don’t know what courses i should take in college. Do you know which courses I should take after high school?

[@Theevidencebasedchiropractor]

Hey Roman, great question! I would look at the standard pre-requisites for a few of the chiropractic schools. In many cases you don't need a specific degree, but rather enough hours of subjects like chemistry, anatomy, etc. Good luck!

[@samkadi5443]

Do not go to chiropractic school. You will be in massive debt and won’t make much

[@calebfoster9773]

how much do chiropractors make in California?

[@Theevidencebasedchiropractor]

Here you go! This should help- www.salary.com/research/salary/benchmark/chiropractor-salary/ca

[@calebfoster9773]

@@Theevidencebasedchiropractor thankyou!

[@horimeza5330]

I am a chiropractor in Mexico, can I validate my career in the United States? and how???

[@Theevidencebasedchiropractor]

Not sure- but you would likely need to start by getting licensed in the US.

[@kingdomheaven8919]

Hori you need to pass the 4 board exams. Find out if your school is accredited in the states

[@Pakistaniman85]

Become a software developer... With 4 years of experience you can make $120k

[@Theevidencebasedchiropractor]

Not a bad salary for sure!

[@justinritter5043]

Is becoming a software developer hard bc I’m getting good with workout with computers but I want a good job that I’m. Interested in that pays well

[@camarosaregay7943]

How do u become one?

[@brendanlanigan8474]

Can someone become a chiro if they had a visible tattoo on their forearm? Or would they be forced to cover up?

[@Theevidencebasedchiropractor]

Hey Brendan! For sure- there are plenty of docs with piercings and tattoo's; shouldn't be a problem.

[@aleaviles6224]

Hi , can I apply for the chiropractic school with only the requisites and without graduating from university

[@Theevidencebasedchiropractor]

I think most, if not all, require a 4 year bachelor degree before enrollment.

[@ganiyusodiq5606]

Do you need a responsive Website for your chiropractic business?

[@tialunn9672]

What states do chiros typically make more relative to the cost of living?

[@Theevidencebasedchiropractor]

Great question- it really depends on alot of factors- but from what I've seen- North Dakota has a great landscape for chiropractic care (reasonable cost of living and favorable insurance contracts)

[@tialunn9672]

Thank you!

[@askthepeople8025]

Nevada

[@lukerethwill3209]

I’m getting passed on a practice in oregon, I will be 3rd generation, what do you think the starting wage would be? My uncle who owns the practice makes roughly $120,000 yearly

[@Theevidencebasedchiropractor]

Lots of factors- are you buying it? Is he giving it to you? What are the terms? If his salary 120K or the top line revenue? Need more info to help!

[@worldsavior2543]

These last 2 years have been the worst and my GPA has tanked. My sGPA is about 3.3 and my overall GPA at 3.5. I considered becoming a chiropractor but holy fuck is school expensive and the ROI is piss poor. On top of that it seems like there is this negative stigma and under appreciation towards chiropractors.

[@wheelsone6180]

Dr. Jeff, What’s your thoughts on someone pushing 50 going back to school to become a DC? This is prereq’s & all. Also every DC I’ve talked with and seen doesn’t seem to be struggling in the least, but they all carry that huge student loan debt. $135-$185k at 6% interest how do you pay that off & what is the payment on thar debt? Not to mention having to buy all the equip, x ray machine, adjustment tables, chairs etc plus overhead for rent, renovation etc. obviously there’s a way because as I said they all seem to be doing well, well actually there was 1 that wasn’t but could be a number of reasons why. Thanks

[@ganiyusodiq5606]

Do you need a responsive Website for your chiropractic business?

[@Theevidencebasedchiropractor]

It's a big loan for sure, but if you're passionate about movement-based healthcare, it's a great profession to be in.

[@AlbertoGonzalez-xd6gm]

Do you have any idea on how much chiropractors on average spend on marketing?

[@Theevidencebasedchiropractor]

average is about 15K per year from what i've seen and read

[@toddaustin2198]

I'm a small town D.C. with a niche practice / referral practice. We spend less than $1,500/year on advertising/marketing. Some of the Big City Competition 30 minutes away easily spend upwards of $10K per month on TV, Radio, Newspaper, Phone Book, Google Ads and Facebook Ads though.

[@-D.W-]

Is a chiropractor considered a doctor?

[@Theevidencebasedchiropractor]

Yes, in the United States chiropractors are physicians and regulated by the state department of health.

[@brodiemeyer8328]

I’m 14 and want to be a chiropractor, how can I make the most money. (own business, through clinic)

[@Theevidencebasedchiropractor]

Hi Brodie- glad to hear you are considering a chiropractic career. My advice would be to stay focused on patient care and your income will follow. Most chiropractor (over 75%) own their own practice/clinic.

[@808Tornado]

They ain't balling because most medical doesn't cover chiropractors A doctor or Dentist can charge you an easy 1000 bucks for an hour or less of their time because your insurance is paying for it So a doctor or Dentist can EASILY make 200k plus a year. Probably one out of every 10 makes over 400k a year. A chiropractor on the other hand charges 50-80$ for a hour or shorter visit. Usually everything can be wrapped up in sub 40 minutes. It has to be that cheap because people are paying out of pocket. Again most medical plans won't cover it. So let's say he sees 10 people in 8 hours at an average of 65$ each person. That's 650$ a day times 5 days a week 3,250 a week 13,000 a month Now subtract taxes 9,500 Now utilities and office rent Por guy is left with $5,500 ( about 90k a year) Now at just 10 people a day and 40 minutes each....he's not working to hard But if he's hustling and seeing 15 people a day. Now that's 19,500 a month 14,000 after taxes 10,000 after utilities and rent. He's hustling so he needs a girl answering phones and greeting guest. No time for that anymore. So minus 2500 Now he's clearing 7500 a month. Equivalent to 120k a year

[@drmarcusvill]

15 people a day is hustling?... haha - most of us see 40 plus on an average day and that number can easily exceed 50 or 60. Money is not a problem - time is

[@rickyranjo8647]

Could you answer how much does a Kentucky Chiropractor usually make a year if they have their own practice and alot of patients?

[@Theevidencebasedchiropractor]

"A lot" of patients is difficult to qualify. I believe the average income for a chiropractor is approximately $75K per year, but there is a HIGH degree of variability.

[@rickyranjo8647]

The Evidence Based Chiropractor thank you

[@Soundersandusmnt]

How much is chiropractic school

[@Theevidencebasedchiropractor]

It depends but somewhere in the neighborhood of $150K.

[@toddaustin2198]

Unfortunately I know many fellow D.C.s with from $200,000 to $375,000 in total student loan debt.

[@mikamiks2475]

Evidence based ? Well what’s the other one?

[@Pakistaniman85]

Are chiropractor really doctors? Or back poppers?

[@Theevidencebasedchiropractor]

Licensed doctors in the United States (and many other countries).

[@vectorm3832]

How much do you make a year? Did you rise in salary throughout your career?

[@Theevidencebasedchiropractor]

My salary rose each year, but I became an employed physician at a large medical group years ago, so the pay structure was different than owning my own practice. Now my salary is generated from my businesses.

[@vectorm3832]

@@Theevidencebasedchiropractor awesome

[@kyoungrockseo2376]

Hi Jeff, I'm really interested in studying Chiropractic. Do you think Life university is good university for it. Can you recommend good school for Chiropractic?

[@Theevidencebasedchiropractor]

I've had plenty of friends who went to Life and love it. Personally, I went to Palmer Florida.

[@mikamiks2475]

Get a real profession. Be a physio or something at least you’ll have some respect and decent understanding of human anatomy and physiology

[@lukekapala1020]

@@mikamiks2475 jesus chirst ur a degen lmao

[@wheelsone6180]

One of the most ignorant asinine statements I’ve ever read.

[@BlackBeard76]

One of the worst educational decisions is chiropractic college. Paying medical school tuition for a job that pays nowhere near as well.

[@cks2020693]

how well you do hugely depends on how good you are at keeping your patients, which only some schools teach their students that. I have had bad chiropractors who doesn't communicate their process of thinking during the session and sends me to get x-ray before even trying to see for themselves, and as you could guess I only went to that chiropractor once.

[@neoncat9573]

@@cks2020693 I agree. A chiropractor who does not communicate with the patient but just goes through the motions as if they're not interested is not someone I want to go back to. I will hope to find another chiropractor.

[@toddaustin2198]

It is what you make of it. I graduated in 1993. I opened my practice in 1996. Paid off my student loans and business loans in 1999 and 2000 respectively and am living the dream here in 2021 while working only 3.5 days per week as a D.C. and running a Referral practice with no money spent on advertising.

[@camarosaregay7943]

@@toddaustin2198 how much do u make a year?

[@toddaustin2198]

@@camarosaregay7943 I make enough for my family of 5 to live on comfortably. And enough that my wife only works 10 or fewer hours per week as a Licensed Massage Therapist / Chiropractic Assistant. And we make enough to own a couple of income producing commercial real estate units free and clear. Chiropractic has been good to us. We both came from the other side of the tracks. No Mommy or Daddy paying our way, no inheritances, etc. Chiropractic allows us to live a good life.

[@ryancarmichael6533]

How the hell are you supposed to live off of 30k a year when you have 250k in debt. Shitty proffesion

[@drmarcusvill]

It was tough at first, but the income increased over time and the school loan debt wasn't such a big deal - After ten years I paid off 280K and still live as if I'm only making a starting salary - I have no debt besides my house which is affordable -thats how you acquire wealth - by not falling into the lifestyle creep of higher income.

[@shaunleusby1991]

Evidence based medicine isn't enough. We need science based medicine. The difference is important. Evidence based medicine is anything that has even a little bit of evidence that it works. Science based medicine uses the entire scientific process to make decisions. For example evidence based medicine uses modalities that have mild evidence, but no scientific justification. Science based medicine uses all science and it needs to make sense on how it works. Science based medicine needs to be able to be broken down to first principles and evidence based medicine doesn't need a reason why it works.

[@ryansmith9031]

What is the highest you can make as a chiropractor?

[@Theevidencebasedchiropractor]

Difficult to say- my treating patients, likely a business around $1M with a take home pay of approx $500K would be at the high end. If you have multiple docs in a practice you own, and perhaps even multiple practices, it's possible to generate perhaps $5M of top line revenue but you would not be treating patients each day at that point, more of a CEO type role. There are always exceptions but the average salary of around 100-150K/year seems to make (general) sense for most docs after they are established.

[@camarosaregay7943]

@@Theevidencebasedchiropractor how do u make over 200, 300k per year?

[@edgarstin4212]

Not a bad salary for.doing the work of a quack and conman.