Chiropractor Salary

Chesapeake vs Richmond: Chiropractor Salary (2026)

Compare chiropractor salaries between Chesapeake, VA and Richmond, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Chesapeake, VA
$84,450
$40.60/hr
Richmond, VA
$83,632
$40.21/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChesapeake, VARichmond, VA
Median Salary$84,450$83,632
Hourly Rate$40.60$40.21
Entry Level (P10)$48,981$35,290
25th Percentile$64,973$50,143
75th Percentile$108,096$105,195
Top Earner (P90)$130,896$133,652
Total Employed6370
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chesapeake ($84,450) and Richmond ($83,632) chiropractor salaries.ChesapeakeRichmondMedian Salary$84,450$83,632Entry Level (P10)$48,981$35,290Top Earner (P90)$130,896$133,652US Median $81,014

Verdict

Chesapeake and Richmond are closely matched on overall chiropractor compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Chesapeake and Richmond is $818 (0.98%). Chesapeake's median is +4.24% compared to the US national median of $81,014.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chesapeake spans $81,915,Richmond spans $98,362. Richmond has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced chiropractors.

Chesapeake
P10 (Entry)$48,981
P25$64,973
Median$84,450
P75$108,096
P90 (Top)$130,896
Richmond
P10 (Entry)$35,290
P25$50,143
Median$83,632
P75$105,195
P90 (Top)$133,652

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Richmond ($85,463 effective) pays 4.44% more than Chesapeake ($81,831 effective).

Chesapeake
Nominal: $84,450
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $81,831
Richmond
Nominal: $83,632
CoL Index: 97.858
Adjusted: $85,463

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chesapeake if…

  • Higher median salary ($84,450/year)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Richmond if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($133,652)
  • Larger job market (70 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $85,463)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, chiropractor salaries in Chesapeake grew -9.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 17.6% growth in Richmond over the same period.

Chesapeake, VA

+-9.0%

$90,702 (2024) → $82,559 (2025)

Richmond, VA

+17.6%

$69,500 (2019) → $81,760 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays chiropractors more: Chesapeake or Richmond?

Chesapeake has a higher median chiropractor salary at $84,450/year, compared to Richmond at $83,632/year — a difference of $818 (0.98%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chesapeake and Richmond?

Chesapeake chiropractors earn $40.60/hr while Richmond hygienists earn $40.21/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chesapeake to Richmond as a chiropractor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chesapeake and Richmond. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chesapeake = $81,831, Richmond = $85,463), job availability (63 vs 70 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level chiropractors earn in Chesapeake vs Richmond?

Entry-level (10th percentile) chiropractors earn $48,981 in Chesapeake and $35,290 in Richmond. The Chesapeake area offers higher starting salaries.
MG

Written by Maria Gonzalez, D.C.

Career Analyst

Maria has 10 years of experience as a chiropractor. She specializes in sports injuries and practices in a private clinic. Maria also conducts workshops for community health education.

Clinically reviewed by David Lee, D.C.Data verified by Amina Patel, D.C.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.29% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, D.C., a licensed chiropractor with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov