Acupuncturist salary in California
Acupuncturists in California earn a median of $75,530 a year ($36.31 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,520 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $186,300 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $76,040. California ranks 15th of 24 states for acupuncturists pay. There are 0.14 acupuncturists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $89,810, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for acupuncturists in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,810 | $18.18 |
| 25th percentile | $47,990 | $23.07 |
| Median | $75,530 | $36.31 |
| 75th percentile | $117,540 | $56.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $186,300 | $89.57 |
| Average (mean) | $89,810 | $43.18 |
Half of acupuncturists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,294.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,147.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,905 |
| Weekly | $1,452.50 |
| Hourly | $36.31 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Acupuncturist salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $101,390 | n/a |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $91,350 | 50 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $86,530 | n/a |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $70,080 | 50 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $64,490 | 300 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $64,420 | 60 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $62,590 | 450 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $52,000 | n/a |
Highest-paying states for acupuncturists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Tennessee | $141,430 |
| New Jersey | $125,260 |
| Indiana | $120,490 |
| Maryland | $101,650 |
| Massachusetts | $93,360 |
| Missouri | $89,000 |
| New York | $86,120 |
| Arizona | $85,300 |
| Kentucky | $85,130 |
| Wisconsin | $84,820 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $140,270 | $67.44 |
| Pharmacist | $164,610 | $79.14 |
| Physical Therapist | $124,190 | $59.71 |
| Physicians, All Other | $281,590 | $135.38 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $168,520 | $81.02 |
| Dental Hygienist | $124,930 | $60.06 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $104,820 | $50.40 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $118,970 | $57.20 |
| Dentists, General | $165,950 | $79.79 |
| Occupational Therapist | $124,510 | $59.86 |
| Physician Assistant | $165,650 | $79.64 |
| Veterinarian | $163,920 | $78.81 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $98,850 | $47.52 |
| Optometrist | $136,300 | $65.53 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1291. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a acupuncturist make in California?
The median salary for acupuncturists in California is $75,530 a year, or $36.31 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $186,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid acupuncturists make in California?
The top 10% of acupuncturists in California earn at least $186,300 a year. The top 25% earn $117,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for acupuncturists in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,810 a year, and a quarter of acupuncturists earn $47,990 or less.
How many acupuncturists work in California?
About 2,520 acupuncturists are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.