Jobs Similar to Acupuncturists
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to acupuncturists, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Naturopathic Physicians, Massage Therapists and Physical Therapists.
Acupuncturists: $76,040 median pay · usual preparation: Graduate degree.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
| # | Career | Similarity | Median pay (vs. Acupuncturists) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Naturopathic PhysiciansSame group | 85% | $115,210Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 2 | Massage Therapists | 83% | $58,450−23% | Training or associate |
| 3 | Physical TherapistsSame group | 82% | $102,760+35% | Graduate degree |
| 4 | ChiropractorsSame group | 82% | $79,200+4% | Graduate degree |
| 5 | General Internal Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 81% | $256,560+237% | Graduate degree |
| 6 | Midwives | 81% | $65,790Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 7 | DermatologistsSame group | 81% | $328,730+332% | Graduate degree |
| 8 | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation PhysiciansSame group | 81% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 9 | Sports Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 80% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 10 | PodiatristsSame group | 80% | $160,300+111% | Graduate degree |
| 11 | Obstetricians and GynecologistsSame group | 80% | $292,910+285% | Graduate degree |
| 12 | Allergists and ImmunologistsSame group | 79% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 13 | Athletic Trainers | 79% | $62,520−18% | Graduate degree |
| 14 | AudiologistsSame group | 79% | $95,780+26% | Graduate degree |
| 15 | Occupational TherapistsSame group | 79% | $100,330+32% | Graduate degree |
| 16 | Nurse MidwivesSame group | 79% | $134,040+76% | Graduate degree |
| 17 | Exercise PhysiologistsSame group | 79% | $59,460−22% | Bachelor's degree |
| 18 | Nurse PractitionersSame group | 79% | $132,300+74% | Graduate degree |
| 19 | OrthoptistsSame group | 79% | $115,210Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 20 | OptometristsSame group | 78% | $136,570+80% | Graduate degree |
- 1Naturopathic Physicians
85% similar · $115,210 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 2Massage Therapists
83% similar · $58,450 (−23%) · Training or associate
- 3Physical Therapists
82% similar · $102,760 (+35%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 4Chiropractors
82% similar · $79,200 (+4%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 5General Internal Medicine Physicians
81% similar · $256,560 (+237%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 6Midwives
81% similar · $65,790 (broader group) · Graduate degree
- 7Dermatologists
81% similar · $328,730 (+332%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 8Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians
81% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 9Sports Medicine Physicians
80% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 10Podiatrists
80% similar · $160,300 (+111%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 11Obstetricians and Gynecologists
80% similar · $292,910 (+285%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 12Allergists and Immunologists
79% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 13Athletic Trainers
79% similar · $62,520 (−18%) · Graduate degree
- 14Audiologists
79% similar · $95,780 (+26%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 15Occupational Therapists
79% similar · $100,330 (+32%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 16Nurse Midwives
79% similar · $134,040 (+76%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 17Exercise Physiologists
79% similar · $59,460 (−22%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 18Nurse Practitioners
79% similar · $132,300 (+74%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 19Orthoptists
79% similar · $115,210 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 20Optometrists
78% similar · $136,570 (+80%) · Graduate degree · Same group
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than acupuncturists.
Similar jobs that need less preparation
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for acupuncturists also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Questions about jobs like acupuncturists
What jobs are most similar to acupuncturists?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Naturopathic Physicians (85% similar), Massage Therapists (83% similar), Physical Therapists (82% similar), Chiropractors (82% similar) and General Internal Medicine Physicians (81% similar).
Which jobs like acupuncturists pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Dermatologists ($328,730, +332%; usually a graduate degree), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($292,910, +285%; usually a graduate degree) and General Internal Medicine Physicians ($256,560, +237%; usually a graduate degree) have the highest BLS median pay compared with acupuncturists ($76,040). Without more preparation than acupuncturists usually need: Dermatologists, Obstetricians and Gynecologists and General Internal Medicine Physicians.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.