Career comparison
Acupuncturist vs. Chiropractor
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Chiropractors earn more at the median ($79,200 vs. $76,040), while acupuncturists usually get to work faster (3–4 years after college of training). Acupuncturists treat pain and health concerns by placing thin needles at specific points. Chiropractors treat back, neck and joint problems with hands-on adjustments.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Acupuncturist | Chiropractor | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $76,040 ($36.56/hr) | $79,200 ($38.08/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $38,830 – $161,470 | $43,460 – $146,080 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +8.6% (much faster than average) | +8.7% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 800 | 2,600 |
| Typical entry education | Master's degree | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Training time | 3–4 years after college | 7–8 years after high school |
| Key credential | NCCAOM certification | NBCE exams |
| Work setting | Acupuncturists work in private practices, integrative clinics, wellness centers and some hospitals.. | Chiropractors work in private offices, group clinics and sports settings.. |
What each job does
Acupuncturist
- Take health histories
- Assess patients
- Insert acupuncture needles
- Use cupping and heat therapies
- Advise on lifestyle
Chiropractor
- Take histories and examine patients
- Assess posture and spine
- Order and read X-rays
- Perform spinal adjustments
- Use soft-tissue and manual therapy
How they’re similar
Both careers involve helping others, hands-on work, working independently, and working with people. Both are part of the healthcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose acupuncturist if…
- I’m interested in integrative care
- I like calm, one-on-one work
- I want my own practice
Choose chiropractor if…
- I like hands-on care
- I want to run my own practice
- I enjoy anatomy
Still torn? Take the Acupuncturist fit quiz and the Chiropractor fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, acupuncturist or chiropractor?
Chiropractors earn more at the median: $79,200 versus $76,040 for acupuncturists, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Acupuncturists typically train faster (3–4 years after college) than chiropractors (7–8 years after high school).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects chiropractors to grow +8.7% from 2025–35, compared with +8.6% for acupuncturists.