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Acupuncturist vs chiropractor

The differences between acupuncturists and chiropractors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an acupuncturist, becoming a chiropractor takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an acupuncturist has an average salary of $73,120, which is higher than the $53,608 average annual salary of a chiropractor.

The top three skills for an acupuncturist include patients, patient care and acupuncture services. The most important skills for a chiropractor are patients, medical histories, and spine.

Acupuncturist vs chiropractor overview

AcupuncturistChiropractor
Yearly salary$73,120$53,608
Hourly rate$35.15$25.77
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs11,71017,584
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeMaster's Degree, 50%Doctoral Degree, 45%
Average age4945
Years of experience42

Acupuncturist vs chiropractor salary

Acupuncturists and chiropractors have different pay scales, as shown below.

AcupuncturistChiropractor
Average salary$73,120$53,608
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $146,000Between $34,000 And $82,000
Highest paying CityFort Lee, NJNew York, NY
Highest paying stateNew JerseyVermont
Best paying companyEssentia HealthHess
Best paying industryHealth CareProfessional

Differences between acupuncturist and chiropractor education

There are a few differences between an acupuncturist and a chiropractor in terms of educational background:

AcupuncturistChiropractor
Most common degreeMaster's Degree, 50%Doctoral Degree, 45%
Most common majorAlternative And Complementary Medicine And Medical SystemsChiropractic
Most common collegeBoston UniversityUniversity of Bridgeport

Acupuncturist vs chiropractor demographics

Here are the differences between acupuncturists' and chiropractors' demographics:

AcupuncturistChiropractor
Average age4945
Gender ratioMale, 37.8% Female, 62.2%Male, 49.5% Female, 50.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.5% Unknown, 6.8% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 20.4% White, 58.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 2.2% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 6.3% Asian, 7.1% White, 80.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage12%9%

Differences between acupuncturist and chiropractor duties and responsibilities

Acupuncturist example responsibilities.

  • Specialize in the treatment of pain management, sports injury and rehabilitation.
  • Administer full body and auricular acupuncture treatments, moxibustion, cupping, magnet therapy, Tui -na and TCM counseling.
  • Record patients' case history details, conduct physical examinations, create individualize treatment plans and rehabilitative protocols for patients.
  • Train OSHA & HIPPA practitioner.
  • Maintain HIPAA compliant confidentiality standards at all times.
  • Treat cancer patients for pain and chemotherapy side effects.
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Chiropractor example responsibilities.

  • Manage AR and EOB's from insurance companies.
  • Perform cervical whiplash protocols to manage pain and increase function.
  • Set patients up for MRI's.
  • Treat patients with chiropractic, physical therapy, exercise, and acupuncture
  • Used techniques including diversify, activator, drop piece, Graston and acupuncture.
  • Treat patients in all aspects of chiropractic care as well as acupuncture care.
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Acupuncturist vs chiropractor skills

Common acupuncturist skills
  • Patients, 44%
  • Patient Care, 8%
  • Acupuncture Services, 6%
  • Physical Therapy, 5%
  • Rehabilitation, 4%
  • Integrative Medicine, 3%
Common chiropractor skills
  • Patients, 46%
  • Medical Histories, 23%
  • Spine, 12%
  • Manual Adjustments, 4%
  • Musculoskeletal System, 4%
  • Patient Care, 3%

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