Specialist chiropractor

About this occupation

Specialist chiropractors have an advanced knowledge and understanding in a specific chiropractic area, acquiring complex decision making skills and clinical competency within the scope of the chiropractic profession. Specialist chiropractors may have undertaken an advanced course of studies to acquire the necessary skills and competency and qualification. Specialist chiropractors may be found in different specific fields such as education, functional neurology, orthopaedics, paediatrics, research, radiology, sport.  

• Perform a series of manual adjustments to the spine or other articulations of the body to correct the musculoskeletal system.
• Obtain and record patients' medical histories.
• Diagnose health problems by reviewing patients' health and medical histories, questioning, observing, and examining patients and interpreting x-rays.
• Evaluate the functioning of the neuromuscularskeletal system and the spine using systems of chiropractic diagnosis.
• Maintain accurate case histories of patients.
• Consult with or refer patients to appropriate health practitioners when necessary.

Typical education (US)

Doctoral Degree

Preparation

Job Zone 5 of 5

Interests

Social, Realistic, Investigative

Top skills: Active Listening, Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Social Perceptiveness, Complex Problem Solving

US median pay: US$79,200 a year (2025), 39,630 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Subjects this work relies on

How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).

• BiologyO*NET: BiologyVery important (4.0)
• Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementVery important (3.7)
• English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.7)
• PsychologyO*NET: PsychologyImportant (3.5)
• Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.1)
• Government and PoliticsO*NET: Law and GovernmentImportant (3.0)

O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

Preparation needed

Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed

Most common education (US)

Doctoral Degree

Education

Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Experience

Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

Training

Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.