Careers · Explore one path
Chiropractors
Assess, treat, and care for patients by manipulation of spine and musculoskeletal system. May provide spinal adjustment or address sacral or pelvic misalignment.
Other titles employers use
Chiropractic Doctor (DC) · Chiropractic Neurologist · Chiropractic Physician · Chiropractor · Chiropractic Doctor
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Evaluate the functioning of the neuromuscularskeletal system and the spine using systems of chiropractic diagnosis.
- Diagnose health problems by reviewing patients' health and medical histories, questioning, observing, and examining patients and interpreting x-rays.
- Perform a series of manual adjustments to the spine or other articulations of the body to correct the musculoskeletal system.
- Obtain and record patients' medical histories.
- Maintain accurate case histories of patients.
- Advise patients about recommended courses of treatment.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to helping, practical and analytical work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Social Perceptiveness
Subjects to know
- Medicine and Dentistry
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Biology
- Psychology
Useful strengths
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Deductive Reasoning
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 4.8 | Arm’s length or closer, most of the day |
| On your feet | 3.5 | Up and down through the day |
| Talking face to face | 5.0 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 4.3 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a doctorate or a professional degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A doctorate or professional degree 90%
- A certificate or some college 7%
- High school or less 3%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Electronic mail software
- Word processing software
- Medical software
- Billing and invoicing software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Calendar and scheduling software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 5,600
- Job openings each year
- 280
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 21.7%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 5,600 | 280 | 21.7% |
| Florida | 5,490 | 280 | 22.5% |
| Texas | 4,040 | 200 | 18.5% |
| New York | 3,190 | 60 | 23.2% |
| Georgia | 2,480 | 110 | 8.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 2,440 | 100 | 7.5% |
| Illinois | 2,400 | 100 | 7.1% |
| Michigan | 2,380 | 100 | 7.2% |
| Minnesota | 1,940 | 80 | 9.0% |
| Washington | 1,880 | 160 | 34.3% |
| Wisconsin | 1,860 | 80 | 8.1% |
| Virginia | 1,710 | 80 | 12.5% |
| Colorado | 1,610 | 70 | 12.6% |
| North Carolina | 1,500 | 70 | 17.2% |
| Iowa | 1,370 | 70 | 18.1% |
| Ohio | 1,330 | 50 | 2.3% |
| Arizona | 1,300 | 70 | 23.8% |
| Indiana | 1,250 | 50 | 9.6% |
| Missouri | 1,240 | 50 | 6.9% |
| South Carolina | 1,120 | 60 | 23.1% |
| Tennessee | 1,110 | 60 | 19.4% |
| New Jersey | 1,080 | 50 | 13.7% |
| Oregon | 1,010 | 50 | 20.2% |
| Kansas | 880 | 40 | 8.6% |
| Utah | 800 | 60 | 66.7% |
| Kentucky | 740 | 30 | 8.8% |
| Nebraska | 730 | 30 | 12.3% |
| Alabama | 690 | 30 | 9.5% |
| Oklahoma | 680 | 30 | 6.3% |
| Maryland | 660 | 30 | 10.0% |
| Arkansas | 510 | 20 | 13.3% |
| Nevada | 510 | 20 | 13.3% |
| Louisiana | 500 | 20 | 6.4% |
| Idaho | 480 | 30 | 23.1% |
| Connecticut | 470 | 20 | 11.9% |
| Montana | 440 | 20 | 22.2% |
| North Dakota | 430 | 20 | 4.9% |
| South Dakota | 380 | 20 | 11.8% |
| Maine | 370 | 10 | −2.6% |
| Massachusetts | 330 | 10 | 6.5% |
| Puerto Rico | 260 | 10 | 18.2% |
| Wyoming | 240 | 10 | 9.1% |
| Mississippi | 230 | 10 | 4.5% |
| Vermont | 230 | 10 | 4.5% |
| New Mexico | 220 | 10 | 29.4% |
| Delaware | 190 | 10 | 11.8% |
| Rhode Island | 190 | 10 | 11.8% |
| New Hampshire | 180 | 10 | 5.9% |
| West Virginia | 120 | 0 | −7.7% |
| Alaska | 110 | 10 | 10.0% |
| District of Columbia | 30 | 0 | — |
| Virgin Islands | 30 | 0 | −25.0% |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.