Chiropractic, Chiropractic Careers

Chiropractic Jobs: Career Outlook for Chiropractors

Before starting a chiropractic education, you may want to understand what chiropractic jobs are available. The short story is: the chiropractic field is growing, and there are many directions you can go!

“What’s next?” It’s a question many recent chiropractic graduates ask themselves as they prepare to step into the professional world. The good news? Chiropractic care is thriving, and there are plenty of opportunities for those ready to dive in. Whether you envision running your own practice, specializing in a niche area, or collaborating with other healthcare professionals, the possibilities are vast

Let’s talk about what’s on the horizon for new chiropractors, the chiropractic jobs available, and how you can make the most of this promising career path.

Chiropractic Job Outlook

As chiropractic becomes more accepted by the general public, demand for their services has increased. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the projected growth rate for chiropractic over the next decade is 10%. That’s much faster than the average compared to other careers. 

The BLS states this is due to an aging population and a rising interest in alternative therapies, leading to more acceptance of chiropractic care. Acceptance is only bound to increase as more educational institutions like NWHSU ground their students in strong evidence-informed curriculum and clinical experience.

It’s also a drug-free, non-invasive, and accessible approach, giving patients an alternative treatment to pharmaceuticals. NWHSU alum Lynn Winkel has focused her career on research, studying how chiropractic care can treat chronic pain.

“Chronic pain is such a complex condition that patients often have difficulties receiving care,” she said. “The opioid crisis has created further barriers, but chiropractic has been shown to be a safe and cost-effective treatment.”

New graduates may even find themselves at the Olympics one day, just as NWHSU alum Dr. Jordan Knowlton-Key did in 2024. Exciting chiropractic jobs like this are on the rise as public awareness and interdisciplinary collaboration with other healthcare providers increases. 

Careers in Chiropractic

What’s truly exciting about this field is that it’s highly customizable. You can specialize, tailor your practice toward a specific population, become a multidisciplinary practitioner, and more. 

Specializations can range from pediatric to soft tissue injuries to sports rehabilitation. NWHSU, for example, offers a rigorous Sports & Rehabilitation Emphasis that can be seamlessly incorporated into your program without extending your time in school. NWHSU also offers more hands-on training than anywhere else in the nation. With nearly 500 clinical internship sites on and off campus, you can get extensive hands-on experience in the chiropractic specialization of your choice. 

Both Dr. Alan Palmer and Dr. Jasmine Hanson graduated from NWHSU and went into sports medicine. Palmer found himself at the World Series as a chiropractor for the Arizona Diamondbacks and has since set up networks of chiropractors that professional sports teams can connect with. Whereas Hanson became the first female sports chiropractor hired by the University of Minnesota. 

Hanson is also a unique example of a multidisciplinary practitioner. She has her EMT license, acupuncture certification, and sports diplomate. “I know school is already a lot of effort and work, but if you’re really passionate and you want to work with sports teams specifically, having multiple degrees is going to be important.”

Dr. Holli Kells is another multidisciplinary NWHSU alum, graduating with dual degrees in integrative care and chiropractic with a specialization in health coaching. “I didn’t want to just become a chiropractor with my own practice,” she shared. “I wanted to find a way to integrate with other professions.” She feels the health coaching specialization has helped deepen her ability to truly hear and help her patients. 

Where Do Chiropractors Work?

A majority of chiropractors work as associates in clinics owned by other chiropractors or with integrative health teams. According to the BLS, only one-third of the workforce opens their own clinic

New graduates may actually prefer to work in well-established clinics with seasoned providers where they can focus on deepening their knowledge and practice in a collaborative environment. NWHSU alum Dr. Alyx Coleman not only works with other chiropractors, but she collaborates with physical therapists and exercise physiologists at the interdisciplinary women’s clinic where she practices. 

“We’re very confident in each other’s abilities and knowledge and refer to each other,” she shared. “Our patients like it because they know all of their practitioners are working together in the same space. They don’t have all these different practitioners from different locations trying to piece the puzzle together.” 

Some chiropractors, however, want the flexibility of working for themselves. It’s not uncommon for a new graduate to have a mission in mind and establish a practice around that vision. Dr. Zeynep Tuzcu, an NWHSU graduate, wanted to serve underprivileged communities but could not find any clinics in her area with her specific mission, so she opened her own practice

“I see maybe 20-30 patients in a good week and I’m totally comfortable with that. I’m very happy with what I’ve created. I get time to rest, I have control over the schedule,” she explained. “But I’m also wearing all the hats. Not only am I the chiropractor, but I’m also the HR gal, the finance person, and the marketing person. It’s a lot of work but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Some people enjoy learning what it takes to run a small business, such as social media marketing and management, but it’s not for everyone. Graduates may find themselves drawn to other routes such as working in corporate, research, policy, academia, or wider health care systems. This can include chiropractic jobs in places like universities, VA medical centers, hospitals, or even the airport. 

How Much Do Chiropractors Make?

Salary can vary a lot depending on your location, level of experience, and who employs you. The BLS lists the national median annual wage for chiropractors as $76,500. However, when the data is broken down by state, that number changes. For chiropractors living in Minnesota, the average wage rises to about $83,00 and in the Twin Cities metro area, it is even higher. 

These numbers can be misleading, however, so it is good to do your own research. For example, the average wage does not include self-employed chiropractors.

You do have some degree of control over your income depending how, where, and in what setting you want to practice. It may seem like a lot to consider as you finish your degree, so set aside some time to check in with your mentors and advisors. Chart different career paths and compare them to see how your income will vary. 

Dr. Katie BurnsRyan, dean for the College of Chiropractic at NWHSU, also notes that there are many factors in addition to salary that should be considered when contemplating a chiropractic career. “This includes overall job satisfaction, flexible schedules, healthcare philosophy, and more,” she says.

Your next step: Reach out for more information

These are only some of the chiropractic jobs available to you as a chiropractor. If you want to build a career as a Doctor of Chiropractic at NWHSU, we can prepare you for success

Start your application process today! Reach out to NWHSU for personalized support on your path.