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Neurologist vs chiropractor

The differences between neurologists and chiropractors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a neurologist, becoming a chiropractor takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a neurologist has an average salary of $255,616, which is higher than the $53,608 average annual salary of a chiropractor.

The top three skills for a neurologist include neurology, patients and EEG. The most important skills for a chiropractor are patients, medical histories, and spine.

Neurologist vs chiropractor overview

NeurologistChiropractor
Yearly salary$255,616$53,608
Hourly rate$122.89$25.77
Growth rate7%10%
Number of jobs23,99117,584
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 27%Doctoral Degree, 45%
Average age4845
Years of experience62

What does a neurologist do?

A neurologist is responsible for treating patients with muscles and nerve abnormalities. Neurologists conduct a series of examinations to determine the patients' condition, administer treatment plans, and refer immediate medical procedures as needed. They also document the patients' progress on every treatment and adjust medications according to the results. A neurologist must have excellent communication and critical-thinking skills to identify the effective specialized treatments through results interpretation and coordinating with other medical professionals for advice and other necessary care services.

What does a chiropractor do?

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.

Neurologist vs chiropractor salary

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

NeurologistChiropractor
Average salary$255,616$53,608
Salary rangeBetween $140,000 And $465,000Between $34,000 And $82,000
Highest paying CityFargo, NDNew York, NY
Highest paying stateAlaskaVermont
Best paying companyBillings ClinicHess
Best paying industryHealth CareProfessional

Differences between neurologist and chiropractor education

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

NeurologistChiropractor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 27%Doctoral Degree, 45%
Most common majorMedicineChiropractic
Most common collegeUniversity of VirginiaUniversity of Bridgeport

Neurologist vs chiropractor demographics

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

NeurologistChiropractor
Average age4845
Gender ratioMale, 35.3% Female, 64.7%Male, 49.5% Female, 50.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 18.5% White, 61.9% 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 Percentage13%9%

Differences between neurologist and chiropractor duties and responsibilities

Neurologist example responsibilities.

  • Prepare EEG and EMG/NCS machines.
  • Plan and perform NCV patient testing.
  • Train for troubleshooting EEG equipment and patient artifact.
  • Perform nerves blocks, facet blocks, epidurals, and intra articular injections.
  • General practice, spine and cranial, some PEDS and trauma JULY 1984 staff neurosurgeon
  • Inventory on all clinical supplies, maintain strict adherence to HIPAA security and compliance, train in meaningful use of EMR.
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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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Neurologist vs chiropractor skills

Common neurologist skills
  • Neurology, 29%
  • Patients, 27%
  • EEG, 8%
  • EMR, 7%
  • Patient Care, 7%
  • Epic, 4%
Common chiropractor skills
  • Patients, 46%
  • Medical Histories, 23%
  • Spine, 12%
  • Manual Adjustments, 4%
  • Musculoskeletal System, 4%
  • Patient Care, 3%

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