Chiropractor salary in California
Chiropractors in California earn a median of $75,470 a year ($36.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,760 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $179,230 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $79,200. California ranks 33rd of 48 states for chiropractors pay. There are 0.15 chiropractors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.59). The average (mean) salary is $101,190, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chiropractors in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,990 | $25.00 |
| 25th percentile | $61,560 | $29.60 |
| Median | $75,470 | $36.28 |
| 75th percentile | $103,830 | $49.92 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $179,230 | $86.17 |
| Average (mean) | $101,190 | $48.65 |
Half of chiropractors 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 | $6,289.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,144.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,902.69 |
| Weekly | $1,451.35 |
| Hourly | $36.28 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chiropractor salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $103,090 | 130 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $95,990 | 190 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $93,530 | 30 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $83,440 | 40 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $80,560 | 220 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $74,930 | 70 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $74,860 | 510 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $74,340 | 40 |
| Modesto, CA | $73,640 | 40 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $51,990 | 640 |
Highest-paying states for chiropractors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | $134,990 |
| New York | $120,950 |
| Maine | $107,300 |
| Washington | $104,070 |
| Alaska | $103,500 |
| Arizona | $100,260 |
| North Carolina | $91,540 |
| Virginia | $88,030 |
| Texas | $87,520 |
| Oklahoma | $85,580 |
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 29-1011. 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 chiropractor make in California?
The median salary for chiropractors in California is $75,470 a year, or $36.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $179,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chiropractors make in California?
The top 10% of chiropractors in California earn at least $179,230 a year. The top 25% earn $103,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for chiropractors in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,990 a year, and a quarter of chiropractors earn $61,560 or less.
How many chiropractors work in California?
About 2,760 chiropractors are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.