Jobs Similar to Chiropractors
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to chiropractors, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Physical Therapists, Acupuncturists and Exercise Physiologists.
Chiropractors: $79,200 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. Chiropractors) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Physical TherapistsSame group | 82% | $102,760+30% | Graduate degree |
| 2 | AcupuncturistsSame group | 82% | $76,040−4% | Graduate degree |
| 3 | Exercise PhysiologistsSame group | 82% | $59,460−25% | Bachelor's degree |
| 4 | Obstetricians and GynecologistsSame group | 81% | $292,910+270% | Graduate degree |
| 5 | Naturopathic PhysiciansSame group | 81% | $115,210Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 6 | General Internal Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 81% | $256,560+224% | Graduate degree |
| 7 | OptometristsSame group | 80% | $136,570+72% | Graduate degree |
| 8 | Midwives | 80% | $65,790Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 9 | Massage Therapists | 80% | $58,450−26% | Training or associate |
| 10 | Sports Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 80% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 11 | PodiatristsSame group | 80% | $160,300+102% | Graduate degree |
| 12 | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation PhysiciansSame group | 80% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 13 | Athletic Trainers | 80% | $62,520−21% | Graduate degree |
| 14 | VeterinariansSame group | 80% | $130,100+64% | Graduate degree |
| 15 | OrthoptistsSame group | 79% | $115,210Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 16 | DermatologistsSame group | 79% | $328,730+315% | Graduate degree |
| 17 | ProsthodontistsSame group | 78% | $311,180+293% | Graduate degree |
| 18 | UrologistsSame group | 78% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 19 | Emergency Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 78% | $335,550+324% | Graduate degree |
| 20 | Physician AssistantsSame group | 78% | $135,880+72% | Graduate degree |
- 1Physical Therapists
82% similar · $102,760 (+30%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 2Acupuncturists
82% similar · $76,040 (−4%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 3Exercise Physiologists
82% similar · $59,460 (−25%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 4Obstetricians and Gynecologists
81% similar · $292,910 (+270%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 5Naturopathic Physicians
81% similar · $115,210 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 6General Internal Medicine Physicians
81% similar · $256,560 (+224%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 7Optometrists
80% similar · $136,570 (+72%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 8Midwives
80% similar · $65,790 (broader group) · Graduate degree
- 9Massage Therapists
80% similar · $58,450 (−26%) · Training or associate
- 10Sports Medicine Physicians
80% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 11Podiatrists
80% similar · $160,300 (+102%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 12Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians
80% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 13Athletic Trainers
80% similar · $62,520 (−21%) · Graduate degree
- 14Veterinarians
80% similar · $130,100 (+64%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 15Orthoptists
79% similar · $115,210 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 16Dermatologists
79% similar · $328,730 (+315%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 17Prosthodontists
78% similar · $311,180 (+293%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 18Urologists
78% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 19Emergency Medicine Physicians
78% similar · $335,550 (+324%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 20Physician Assistants
78% similar · $135,880 (+72%) · 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 chiropractors.
- Emergency Medicine Physicians78% similar · $335,550 (+324%)
- Dermatologists79% similar · $328,730 (+315%)
- Prosthodontists78% similar · $311,180 (+293%)
- Obstetricians and Gynecologists81% similar · $292,910 (+270%)
- General Internal Medicine Physicians81% similar · $256,560 (+224%)
- Podiatrists80% similar · $160,300 (+102%)
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 chiropractors also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Questions about jobs like chiropractors
What jobs are most similar to chiropractors?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Physical Therapists (82% similar), Acupuncturists (82% similar), Exercise Physiologists (82% similar), Obstetricians and Gynecologists (81% similar) and Naturopathic Physicians (81% similar).
Which jobs like chiropractors pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Emergency Medicine Physicians ($335,550, +324%; usually a graduate degree), Dermatologists ($328,730, +315%; usually a graduate degree) and Prosthodontists ($311,180, +293%; usually a graduate degree) have the highest BLS median pay compared with chiropractors ($79,200). Without more preparation than chiropractors usually need: Emergency Medicine Physicians, Dermatologists and Prosthodontists.
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.