What Does a Chiropractor Do?
Chiropractors diagnose and treat neuromuscular disorders through manual adjustments and manipulation of the spine. They focus on the relationship between the body structure and function, emphasizing the spine role in overall health. Chiropractors provide drug-free, hands-on care and often develop treatment plans that incorporate exercise and lifestyle modifications.
Other Job Titles for This Work
Workers in this occupation report titles such as Chiropractic Doctor (DC), Chiropractic Neurologist, Chiropractic Physician.
Chiropractor Duties and Responsibilities
The primary responsibilities of a chiropractor include:
- Assess patients through physical examination, health history review, and diagnostic imaging such as X-rays.
- Perform spinal adjustments and manipulations to correct misalignments and improve nervous system function.
- Develop individualized treatment plans that address each patient specific musculoskeletal complaints.
- Use therapeutic modalities including ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and cold laser therapy.
- Prescribe corrective exercises and stretching routines to support recovery and prevent future injuries.
- Educate patients on posture, ergonomics, nutrition, and lifestyle changes that promote spinal health.
- Document patient assessments, treatments, and progress notes in practice management software.
- Refer patients to other healthcare providers when conditions require medical or surgical intervention.
- Perform soft tissue therapies such as myofascial release and trigger point therapy.
- Manage the business operations of a private practice including scheduling, billing, and marketing.
Required Skills and Qualifications
To succeed as a chiropractor, you will need the following skills and qualifications:
- Spinal adjustment and manipulation
- Musculoskeletal assessment
- Diagnostic imaging interpretation
- Therapeutic exercise prescription
- Patient education and counseling
- Soft tissue therapy techniques
- Practice management and billing
- Clinical documentation
Education and Training
Chiropractors must earn a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree from a program accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE). The program typically requires four years of professional study after completing at least 90 credit hours of undergraduate education, though most students hold a bachelor degree. Coursework includes anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, and extensive clinical training. All states require licensure, which involves passing the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) examinations. Continuing education is required to maintain licensure.
Salary and Job Outlook
Average Salary: $60,000 - $100,000 per year
Demand is supported by growing interest in holistic and non-pharmacological approaches to pain management. As more insurance companies cover chiropractic services and more healthcare systems integrate chiropractors into multidisciplinary care teams, opportunities will expand. Chiropractors who specialize in areas such as sports medicine, pediatrics, or neurology may find additional growth potential.
What the Work Is Like
O*NET surveys people who work as chiropractors about their daily conditions. Of those surveyed:
- 98% work indoors in a climate-controlled space every day
- 96% have a lot of freedom to make decisions
- 93% say being exact and accurate is very or extremely important
- 85% are on the phone every day
- 81% use their hands on tools, objects or controls for more than half the day
- 70% spend more than half the workday on their feet
- 68% say teamwork is very or extremely important in their job
Education Workers Say the Job Needs
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 82% |
| Professional degree | 8% |
| Post-secondary certificate | 7% |
Tools and Software Chiropractors Use
Tools and equipment
Software
Is This Job a Good Fit for You?
People who do well in this job tend to enjoy helping, teaching or caring for people as well as hands-on work with tools, machines or the outdoors.
Skills O*NET rates most important: Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Writing, Social Perceptiveness.
Knowledge areas used most: Medicine and Dentistry, English Language, Customer and Personal Service, Biology, Psychology.
Preparation: O*NET places this occupation in Job Zone 5 of 5, which means extensive preparation.
Related Careers
These jobs use similar skills, according to O*NET's related-occupation data:
Applying for a Chiropractor Job
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Sources
- O*NET 30.1 Database, occupation 29-1011.00 (Chiropractors). View on O*NET OnLine.
This page includes information from the O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. The Job Explorer has modified some of the information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these changes.