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The differences between chiropractors and orthopedic surgeons can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a chiropractor, becoming an orthopedic surgeon takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an orthopedic surgeon has an average salary of $137,571, which is higher than the $53,608 average annual salary of a chiropractor.
The top three skills for a chiropractor include patients, medical histories and spine. The most important skills for an orthopedic surgeon are patients, spine, and EMR.
| Chiropractor | Orthopedic Surgeon | |
| Yearly salary | $53,608 | $137,571 |
| Hourly rate | $25.77 | $66.14 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 17,584 | 5,046 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Doctoral Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 39% |
| Average age | 45 | 49 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
A chiropractor is a healthcare professional who provides care and relief to patients with neuromusculoskeletal problems by re-aligning the spine and adjusting other joints. Your duties typically include working with patients on their lifestyle, guiding them on nutrition, exercise, and sleeping habits, and evaluating patients' condition based on their medical history and symptoms. Additionally, you will be responsible for examining the spine and posture, running tests and taking X-rays, and using massage, heat, and cold therapy to treat patients.
An orthopedic surgeon specializes in performing surgeries to treat different issues concerning a patient's musculoskeletal system. Their responsibilities primarily revolve around conducting extensive examinations on a patient to determine their condition, analyzing their medical records, coordinating with nurses and other specialists to ensure the accuracy of treatments, and maintaining a thorough record of information. Records include appointments, comments, and results. There are also instances when a surgeon must refer patients to therapists and provide advice for post-surgery care. Furthermore, it is essential to monitor a patient's condition before and after surgery.
Chiropractors and orthopedic surgeons have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Chiropractor | Orthopedic Surgeon | |
| Average salary | $53,608 | $137,571 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $82,000 | Between $73,000 And $257,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Brockton, MA |
| Highest paying state | Vermont | Maine |
| Best paying company | Hess | Trinity Health |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a chiropractor and an orthopedic surgeon in terms of educational background:
| Chiropractor | Orthopedic Surgeon | |
| Most common degree | Doctoral Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 39% |
| Most common major | Chiropractic | Nursing |
| Most common college | University of Bridgeport | New York University |
Here are the differences between chiropractors' and orthopedic surgeons' demographics:
| Chiropractor | Orthopedic Surgeon | |
| Average age | 45 | 49 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 49.5% Female, 50.5% | Male, 34.1% Female, 65.9% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 1.8% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 5.0% Asian, 12.7% White, 76.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 12% |