Acupuncturists in California
Considering working as an Acupuncturists in California? Here’s what you need to know. Diagnose, treat, and prevent disorders by stimulating specific acupuncture points within the body using acupuncture needles. May also use cups, nutritional supplements, therapeutic massage, acupressure, and other alternative health therapies. Excludes “Chiropractors” (29-1011).
What do Acupuncturists Make in California?
For a acupuncturists working in California, the typical annual salary is $77,640 per year (or about $37.33/hour).Annual wages span from $43,060 at the 10th percentile to $152,300 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $43,060 | $20.70 |
| 25th percentile | $56,570 | $27.20 |
| Median (50th) | $77,640 | $37.33 |
| 75th percentile | $120,760 | $58.06 |
| 90th percentile | $152,300 | $73.22 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in California relative to the national average — is 2.36, meaning that acupuncturists are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, acupuncturists earn a median of $102,425 per year ($49.24/hour), below the California median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 3,333,926 acupuncturists nationwide. In California alone, approximately 2,330 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 140 acupuncturists.
Top California Metros for Acupuncturists
The metro areas below employ the most acupuncturists in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 350 | $91,650 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 340 | $93,820 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 210 | $106,710 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 60 | $67,410 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 40 | $128,940 |
Top States for Acupuncturists Employment
View the states that employ the most acupuncturists work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 2,330 |
| Oregon | 640 |
| New Jersey | 360 |
| Washington | 270 |
| North Carolina | 250 |
| Minnesota | 180 |
| Missouri | 140 |
| Georgia | 100 |
| Wisconsin | 90 |
| Massachusetts | 90 |
| Idaho | 90 |
| Maine | 60 |
| Alaska | 40 |
Highest-Paying States for Acupuncturists
These states pay the most for acupuncturists.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Florida | $183,530 |
| Michigan | $153,350 |
| Massachusetts | $135,250 |
| Minnesota | $124,640 |
| District of Columbia | $97,080 |
| New York | $93,610 |
| Arizona | $87,780 |
| New Jersey | $86,550 |
| New Mexico | $83,220 |
| New Hampshire | $83,110 |
Skills
Key acupuncturists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for acupuncturists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, acupuncturists typically:
- Maintain and follow standard quality, safety, environmental, and infection control policies and procedures.
- Treat patients using tools, such as needles, cups, ear balls, seeds, pellets, or nutritional supplements.
- Adhere to local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and statutes.
- Identify correct anatomical and proportional point locations based on patients' anatomy and positions, contraindications, and precautions related to treatments, such as intradermal needles, moxibustion, electricity, guasha, or bleeding.
- Develop individual treatment plans and strategies.
- Insert needles to provide acupuncture treatment.
- Evaluate treatment outcomes and recommend new or altered treatments as necessary to further promote, restore, or maintain health.
- Collect medical histories and general health and lifestyle information from patients.
- Maintain detailed and complete records of health care plans and prognoses.
- Educate patients on topics, such as meditation, ergonomics, stretching, exercise, nutrition, the healing process, breathing, or relaxation techniques.
- Assess patients' general physical appearance to make diagnoses.
- Analyze physical findings and medical histories to make diagnoses according to Oriental medicine traditions.
Work Activities
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Getting Information
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Performing Administrative Activities
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Thinking Creatively
- Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Related college programs include:
- Alternative Medicine & Systems
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Other careers like acupuncturists include:
- Chiropractors
- Physical Therapists
- Nurse Practitioners
- Cardiologists
- Dermatologists
- Emergency Medicine Physicians
Also Known As
Acupressure Therapist, Acupressurist, Acupuncture Doctor, Acupuncture Physician, Acupuncture Provider, Acupuncturist, Auricular Acupuncturist, Auricular Detoxification Specialist, Auricular Therapist, Chinese Medical Doctor (Chinese MD), Chinese Medicine Doctor, Herbalist, Licensed Acupuncturist (LAC), Oriental Medicine Provider, Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctor.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 29-1291.00
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