Chiropractor Salary

Portsmouth vs Richmond: Chiropractor Salary (2026)

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

Portsmouth, VA
$80,899
$38.89/hr
Richmond, VA
$83,632
$40.21/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPortsmouth, VARichmond, VA
Median Salary$80,899$83,632
Hourly Rate$38.89$40.21
Entry Level (P10)$46,921$35,290
25th Percentile$61,207$50,143
75th Percentile$103,551$105,195
Top Earner (P90)$125,393$133,652
Total Employed1770
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Portsmouth ($80,899) and Richmond ($83,632) chiropractor salaries.PortsmouthRichmondMedian Salary$80,899$83,632Entry Level (P10)$46,921$35,290Top Earner (P90)$125,393$133,652US Median $81,014

Verdict

Richmond, VA offers better overall compensation for chiropractors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Portsmouth.

The salary gap between Portsmouth and Richmond is $2,733 (3.38%). Richmond's median is +3.23% compared to the US national median of $81,014.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Portsmouth spans $78,472,Richmond spans $98,362. Richmond has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced chiropractors.

Portsmouth
P10 (Entry)$46,921
P25$61,207
Median$80,899
P75$103,551
P90 (Top)$125,393
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 9.02% more than Portsmouth ($78,391 effective).

Portsmouth
Nominal: $80,899
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $78,391
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 Portsmouth if…

  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Richmond if…

  • Higher median salary ($83,632/year)
  • 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 Portsmouth grew -6.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 17.6% growth in Richmond over the same period.

Portsmouth, VA

+-6.8%

$84,880 (2024) → $79,088 (2025)

Richmond, VA

+17.6%

$69,500 (2019) → $81,760 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays chiropractors more: Portsmouth or Richmond?

Richmond has a higher median chiropractor salary at $83,632/year, compared to Portsmouth at $80,899/year — a difference of $2,733 (3.38%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Portsmouth and Richmond?

Portsmouth chiropractors earn $38.89/hr while Richmond hygienists earn $40.21/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Portsmouth to Richmond as a chiropractor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Portsmouth and Richmond. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Portsmouth = $78,391, Richmond = $85,463), job availability (17 vs 70 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) chiropractors earn $46,921 in Portsmouth and $35,290 in Richmond. The Portsmouth 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