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Chiropractor Salary: How It Compares to the National Full-Time Average

The ABS does not publish a specific average or median weekly earnings figure for chiropractors. The national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 per year), but chiropractor pay may differ due to high part-time work and self-employment.

This sits on the Australian full-time average.

Week, hour, and a tax sketch

$2,084 a week · $54.83 an hour if spread over 38 hours

About $83,159 after resident income tax and a 2% Medicare levy.

2026–27 resident rates and a 2% Medicare levy. Not a tax assessment.Open the full line

Chiropractor Salary: No Published Figure

The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish a specific average or median weekly earnings figure for chiropractors. The occupation (ANZSCO 252111) falls under a 6-digit code, and Jobs and Skills Australia notes that median weekly earnings are not produced for such detailed occupations due to high relative standard error. This means there is no official benchmark for chiropractor pay from the ABS or Fair Work.

Chiropractors are grouped with osteopaths under the broader occupation "Chiropractors and Osteopaths" (ANZSCO 2521). The ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey provides data for Professionals as a whole, but not for this specific sub-group. The most recent available data for Professionals (May 2025) shows average weekly total cash earnings of $2,049.60 for all employees, but that figure includes part-time and managerial workers, making it an imperfect comparison.

How Chiropractor Pay Compares to the National Average

The site's salary line is set at the national full-time adult ordinary-time average: $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). Without a chiropractor-specific figure, we can only infer where pay might sit.

Chiropractors have a high part-time share: 57% work part-time hours, compared to 36% across all occupations. Part-time workers nationally earn a median of $769 per week (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025), which is well below the full-time line. If many chiropractors work part-time, the average for all chiropractors is likely below the national full-time average. However, full-time chiropractors may earn more. The average full-time hours for chiropractors is 42 per week, slightly below the all-occupations average of 44 hours.

Factors That Influence Chiropractor Earnings

Location

State and territory averages vary significantly. The full-time adult ordinary-time averages range from $96,008 in Tasmania to $119,090 in the Australian Capital Territory. Chiropractors practising in higher-paying states like Western Australia ($115,825) or the ACT may earn more than those in Tasmania or South Australia ($102,450). See States and territories for a full breakdown.

Employment Type

Most chiropractors are self-employed or work in small private practices. Self-employed earnings are not captured in the ABS employee earnings surveys, so the available data may underrepresent higher-earning practitioners. Employees may be covered by awards such as the Health Professionals and Support Services Award, which received a 4.75% increase from 1 July 2026. The national minimum wage is now $26.44 per hour ($52,255 per year on 38 hours), but chiropractors typically earn well above this.

Experience and Clientele

Median age for chiropractors is 40, suggesting a mix of early-career and experienced practitioners. Building a client base takes time, so newer chiropractors may earn less, while established practitioners with a loyal patient list can earn significantly more. The female share of employment is 41%, which may also influence overall averages if gender pay gaps exist within the profession.

Where to Find More Data

For other occupations with published medians, visit Job medians. To understand how the national average is calculated, see How the figures are set.

Key Takeaways

  • No official chiropractor salary figure is published by the ABS or Fair Work.
  • The national full-time average is $108,352 per year.
  • High part-time work (57%) suggests many chiropractors earn less than the full-time line.
  • Location, experience, and self-employment status are major drivers of actual pay.

Questions

What is the average chiropractor salary in Australia?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish a specific average or median weekly earnings figure for chiropractors. Jobs and Skills Australia also reports median weekly earnings as not available due to the occupation's small sample size. Chiropractors are classified under the Professionals group, for which the ABS reported average weekly total cash earnings of $2,049.60 for all employees in May 2025, but this includes part-time workers and is not directly comparable to the full-time national average.

How does chiropractor pay compare to the national full-time average?

Without a published chiropractor-specific figure, a direct comparison is not possible. The national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 per year) as of May 2026. Chiropractors have a high part-time share (57%), which likely pulls average earnings below the full-time line. Full-time chiropractors may earn closer to or above the national average, but no official data confirms this.

What factors affect chiropractor earnings?

Key factors include location (state averages range from $96,008 in Tasmania to $119,090 in the ACT), years of experience, client base, and whether the chiropractor is self-employed or an employee. The high part-time share (57%) and female share (41%) also influence overall earnings. Chiropractors are typically in private practice, so earnings can vary significantly based on business success and award coverage.

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