Chiropractic assistants manage office operations, schedule appointments, maintain patient files, and work with the chiropractor on other office needs. In the US, chiropractic assistants earn about $42,000 per year compared to annual earnings in Canada that can reach close to C$43,000 ($38,429 USD).
Chiropractic assistants in Australia see a yearly income of more than AU$62,000 ($54,855 USD), followed by New Zealand at more than NZ$52,000 ($41,143 USD) and £24,000 ($31,586 USD) in the UK. Earning potential in South African and India is on the lower end of the pay scale at about R167,000 ($13,467 USD) and Rs323,000 ($5,711 USD), respectively. This guide outlines earning potential as salaries vary by geographic region, experience, and work setting.
How Much Does a Chiropractic Assistant Make per Year?
Annual salaries and hourly wages for chiropractic assistants are found in the chart below.
| Chiropractic Assistant Salary | US | Canada | UK | Australia | New Zealand | India | South Africa |
| Hourly Wage | $20 | C$21 | £11 | AU$30 | NZ$25 | Rs155 | R80 |
| Annual Wage | $41,868 | C$42,898 ($38,429 USD) |
£23,554 ($31,586 USD) |
AU$62,233 ($54,855 USD) |
NZ$52,260 ($41,143 USD) |
Rs323,076 ($5,711 USD) |
R166,694 ($13,467 USD) |
Factors that Influence the Chiropractic Assistant Salary
While experience and work setting affect earning potential for chiropractic assistants, geographic region appears to have a stronger impact. The following paragraphs include information on this career field as well as earning potential.
1. Geographic Area
Chiropractic Assistant Salary in US
As a chiropractic assistant in the US, average annual earnings approach $42,000, equivalent to $20 per hour. Nearly $700 can be earned through additional bonus income. New chiropractic assistants beginning their careers can expect an average starting salary of about $35,000 per year, increasing with experience to more than $68,000 per year upon reaching senior level status.
Chiropractic Assistant Salary in Canada
In Canada, chiropractic assistants are paid about C$43,000 per year, while the average hourly wage is C$21 per hour. Bonus income potential can reach C$700 or more in additional earnings. The average annual salary for entry level chiropractic assistants is about C$36,000 per year while senior level pay exceeds C$70,000 per year.
Chiropractic Assistant Salary in UK
Chiropractic assistants in the UK earn between nearly £20,000 for entry level positions and £39,000 per year for senior level positions. While the average annual pay for all experience levels is about £24,000 per year, hourly earnings average £11. Bonus income potential is light, but can add another £400 to overall earnings.
Chiropractic Assistant Salary in Australia
As a chiropractic assistant in Australia, average earnings are well over AU$62,000 per year, or $30 per hour. There is potential to add another AU$1,000 to total earnings. Entry level pay averages AU$52,000 per year while senior level positions garner about $102,000 per year.
Chiropractic Assistant Salary in New Zealand
In New Zealand, chiropractic assistants receive more than NZ$52,000 annually, equating to about NZ$25 per hour. Bonus income potentially adds another NZ$800 or more to overall earnings. The average annual salary for entry level employees is well over NZ$43,000 per year compared to about NZ$86,000 for that at the senior level.
Chiropractic Assistant Salary in India
Chiropractic assistants in India can earn an average yearly income of Rs323,000 per year, while hourly wages average Rs155 per hour. There is potential to add more than Rs5,200 in bonus income. Newly trained chiropractic assistants earn about Rs273,000 per year, increasing with experience to nearly Rs537,000 per year at the senior level.
Chiropractic Assistant Salary in South Africa
As a chiropractic assistant in South Africa, annual salaries range from R140,000 for entry level positions to R275,000 for senior level positions. Among all experience levels, annual earnings average R167,000 per year plus another R2,700 in bonus income potential. Those paid an hourly wage earn R80 per hour.
2. Experience
With experience comes higher pay for chiropractic assistants. The difference in annual salaries for senior level positions is between 94% and 97% more than entry level pay. The countries with the lowest salaries see the greatest difference in entry level and senior level pay. For example, in India, senior level positions garner annual pay that is Rs264,000 per year more than those in entry level positions. In South Africa, this difference is R135,000 per year, or 96%. In countries where annual earnings are higher, earning potential increases about AU$50,000 per year, or 96%, compared to the US where the difference between entry level and senior level pay is about $33,000 per year, representing an increase of 94%.
3. Industry
There is little variance in earning potential by work setting as most chiropractic offices are private practice, and in the public sector. In countries where chiropractic care is part of a national health system, annual pay is set by national guidelines, and private sector offices outside of these national healthcare systems often use the national pay scale as a guideline.
Working Hours
While most chiropractic assistants work full-time hours, there are opportunities for part-time employment, particularly in large offices with several chiropractic assistants. Normal business hours are typically Monday through Friday, though some offices offer weekend and evening times to accommodate patient availability.
Bonuses and Benefit Packages
While some employers offer bonus income potential, these earnings are minimal. Benefits that include healthcare coverage and paid time off are common for full-time employees, while those working only part-time hours may not qualify for any type of benefits or bonus package.
Job Outlook
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a 10% growth rate among chiropractors through 2024, indicating the need for chiropractic assistants will also growth accordingly. This growth rate is due to an increase in people seeking nonsurgical, prescription-free care to treat their pain and discomfort, and chiropractic assistants will be needed to manage these growing offices. To work as a chiropractic assistant, some employers require only a high school degree with on-job training while other offices require a minimum of an associate’s degree. Large chiropractic offices may look for individuals with a bachelor’s degree and medical office experience.
Conclusion
Chiropractic assistants earn lower incomes compared to some other healthcare positions, although the educational requirements can also be much lower. Benefits packages with healthcare and paid time are common, while bonus pay may be available, but should not be relied upon to add large amounts to overall earnings. The future need for chiropractic assistants is expected to remain strong with anticipated growth at a faster than average rate in the chiropractic field.
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