With all the distractions and misinformation out in the world today, it’s easy to get confused about the “right” career path. If you don’t want to get lost along the way, explore the pros and cons of the most interesting paths and then select the one that speaks to your authentic self. For many, making a true difference in the world by improving the lives of others means earning a doctor of chiropractic degree.
Perhaps you, too, should discover why chiropractic is a smart career choice. It turns out there are many reasons (6 of them are below) to make a move to a doctor of chiropractic degree.
Ask nearly anyone who works directly with patients, and their #1 reason for doing so is they enjoy helping people. Chiropractic is especially satisfying because chiropractic is a non-pharmaceutical, whole-person approach to health and wellness. Chiropractors help patients achieve better health over their entire life span.
When a chiropractor interacts with a patient, there’s the likelihood of that person’s well-being improving in some way. It might be because of a manual treatment that reduces or relieves chronic pain. It might be a recommendation for rehabilitative exercises so someone can get back to doing the job he or she loves. It might be lifestyle advice or conveying insights about nutrition that can improve a patient’s quality of life.
Dr. David Darby, a chiropractor in New Iberia, La., says, “Every day, people come needing help – real help – for real-life problems. I have seen people’s lives change through chiropractic for 27 years… from firemen relying on me to keep them at peak performance… to people who once were completely unable to work.”
Many chiropractors say one of the most appealing things about earning their doctor of chiropractic degree is the likelihood of owning a business, so they have control of the scope of the practice and days/hours of operation.
More than 50% of chiropractors are owners of their practice, either themselves or with other chiropractors.
Chiropractic care continues to be popular with the public. In 2021, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a growth rate of 7% from 2020 to 2030.
There are various reasons people are seeking chiropractic care:
Chiropractors are designated as physician-level providers in most U.S. states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Medicare program. A doctor of chiropractic degree ensures mastery of
There are nearly 70,000 registered chiropractors nationwide. The essential services by chiropractors are available in
According to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA), more than 85% of healthcare plans offered in the U.S. cover many chiropractic treatments. Like seeing a dentist or optometrist, no referral is necessary for a chiropractic visit.
While most chiropractors choose to offer care to patients of all ages in a family practice, there are specialty areas within chiropractic, including:
Chiropractic income varies widely, depending on the scope of the practice, geographic location, work-life balance preferences, and experience. Many chiropractors build their practice through referrals from satisfied patients.
In June 2021, Salary.com listed an annual salary ranging from $70,000 to just over $155,000. Compensation often includes bonuses, commissions, and profit-sharing.
Chiropractic continues to be in the top 25 list of “Professions With the Best Job Security” published annually by U.S. News and World Report.
Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is a private, nonprofit, chiropractic and health sciences university in Overland Park, Kansas, a large suburban city within the Kansas City metro. Most students earn their Doctor of Chiropractic degree (D.C.) in 3.3 years through a year-round, trimester schedule.
Points of distinction for the CUKC chiropractic program:
Request information about our Doctor of Chiropractic degree program so you can receive our free eBook, Your Complete Guide to the Chiropractic Profession,
