by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Chiropractic involves the study of Chiropractic. Continue reading for the important information every chiropractic student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering chiropractic programs.
Across the country, chiropractic is a popular field of study, with 2,707 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Chiropractic Schools ranking analyzes these 17 schools to determine the best overall colleges for chiropractic students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of chiropractic programs later in this article.
Studies in Chiropractic develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations chiropractic graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a chiropractic program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a chiropractic major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several chiropractic degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 2,707 |
People currently working in careers related to chiropractic tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 59.7% |
| Master’s degree | 14.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 7.5% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 5.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 4.9% |
| First professional degree | 4.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.8% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in chiropractic careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in chiropractic opens doors to numerous career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to chiropractic.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to chiropractic.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Chiropractors | 1,824,902 | -2.5% |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of chiropractic graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $49,003 |
| 4 years | $52,932 |
| 5 years | $60,390 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for chiropractic graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers chiropractic grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Chiropractors | $117,961 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
With 17 different chiropractic programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased chiropractic school rankings to help you.
Students interested in chiropractic, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Chiropractic | 2,707 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
