Every year, Chiropractic Economics releases its Annual Salary and Expense Survey — a snapshot of what life looks like for chiropractors nationwide.
For 2025, the results paint an exciting picture: chiropractic isn’t just holding steady, it’s thriving, diversifying, and expanding its role in healthcare.
Before diving into the full report, let’s spotlight some phenomenal statistics that reaffirm why pursuing a career in chiropractic — and an education at schools like Life Chiropractic College West — is truly a power move.
What the Numbers Really Say
Income and Growth
- Six-figure averages: $106,586 in salary; $141,600 total compensation. That’s on par with other healthcare careers, but with lower overhead and shorter hours.
- Experience matters: Doctors in their 50s average nearly double the salaries of those in their 30s, proving chiropractic is a career that builds and rewards over time.
Hours in Patient Care
- Flexibility = power: Most DCs fall into the 21–40 hour/week range, far fewer than many healthcare fields require.
- Gender gap in context: Women earn less on average, but they also report working fewer hours — often reflecting intentional choices around balance and lifestyle, not just inequality.
Practice Trends
- Entrepreneurial freedom: 57% of chiropractors still operate solo practices — rare in medicine today, and proof of chiropractic’s independent spirit.
- Diverse reach: One-third of patients are people of color, highlighting growing accessibility.
- Women rising: While only 25% of current practitioners are women, nearly half of new grads are female — a demographic shift is underway.
Expenses
- Lean overhead: Malpractice insurance averages ~$3,100/year — among the lowest in healthcare. Overall overhead remains modest relative to revenue.
- Marketing push: Chiropractors are doubling down on digital marketing, reflecting confidence in future growth.
Chiropractic Income: Six-Figure Averages and Growth Potential
Chiropractors are doing fairly well financially, with average salaries solidly in the six figures. The typical Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) earns about $106,586 per year, with total compensation (including bonuses/profit) around $141,600. Many experienced chiropractors earn well above that, especially as they build their practices over time.
- Strong earnings overall: Chiropractors billed about $723,000 in 2025 and collected roughly $450,000 after insurance adjustments – a reimbursement rate of about 62%.
- Healthy compensation: Average total income came in around $141,601, showing steady rebound post-pandemic.
- Experience pays off: Doctors in their 50s averaged ~$148k annually, compared to $75k for those in their 30s.
- The gender gap persists: Women reported ~$64k compared to ~$124k for men — a gap that may shift as chiropractic schools now graduate nearly 50% women.
Hours in Patient Care: A Balanced Career Path
The 2025 Chiropractic Economics survey also asked DCs how much time they spend in direct patient care, and the results show chiropractic is often a balanced profession compared to other healthcare fields.
- Female chiropractors: 31% reported working 31–40 hours per week, 38% worked 21–30 hours, and 15% worked 11–20 hours. Notably, 12% of women said they spent only 1–10 hours per week in patient care.
- Male chiropractors: 38% worked 31–40 hours, 25% worked 21–30 hours, and 19% reported 41 or more hours per week.
This spread highlights one of chiropractic’s unique advantages: flexibility. While many healthcare roles demand rigid schedules and long hours, chiropractors often build careers that allow for balance—whether that means focusing on full-time patient care, running a practice with a steady 30-hour schedule, or blending work with family, travel, or other passions.
For prospective chiropractic students, it’s an encouraging reminder: chiropractic isn’t just a secure and growing profession—it’s also a path that supports a sustainable lifestyle.
Practice Growth: Changing Models and Diverse Patient Bases
Beyond income, practices are evolving in structure and reach:
- Solo vs. group practice: 57% of chiropractors practice solo. Meanwhile, others work in partnerships, multidisciplinary clinics, or integrated settings alongside MDs and other health providers.
- Suburban growth: 59% practice in suburban areas, with the remainder split between urban (25%) and rural (16%).
- A broader patient base: Roughly one-third of chiropractic patients today are people of color – showing an increase in awareness and access.
- Women in chiropractic: About 25% of practicing DCs are women, and schools are close to 50/50 in new enrollment.
Expenses and Investments: Where Does the Money Go?
Running a practice means balancing income with overhead:
- Operational costs: Chiropractors spend about $30,800 annually on office space, $16,000 on business loans, $11,700 on supplies, and $7,500 on technology.
- Marketing is on the rise: Advertising budgets jumped significantly in 2025, with many chiropractors doubling their spend on digital marketing and outreach.
- Relatively low insurance costs: Malpractice insurance remains low for healthcare – around $3,100 annually. Chiropractors also spent about $3,900 on continuing education.
Outlook: A Bright Future for an Evolving Profession
The big picture for chiropractic in 2025 is one of steady growth and increasing integration into mainstream healthcare. Chiropractic is showing up in more communities, more clinics, and more conversations about healthcare access. Patient demand is strong, awareness is expanding, and the profession is continuing to diversify.
For prospective chiropractic students, this is an exciting moment: the profession offers six-figure earning potential, growing patient demand, and the chance to serve diverse communities while building a purposeful career. Schools like Life Chiropractic College West continue to play a key role in preparing the next generation of chiropractors to thrive in this environment.
Bottom line: The 2025 survey paints a positive picture of a profession on the rise. Incomes are strong, practice models are diversifying, and chiropractors are increasingly being recognized as essential healthcare providers. For anyone considering a chiropractic career, the future looks bright.
