Chiropractor Salary

San Francisco vs Long Beach: Chiropractor Salary (2026)

Compare chiropractor salaries between San Francisco, CA and Long Beach, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

San Francisco, CA
$76,574
$36.81/hr
Long Beach, CA
$83,779
$40.28/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Francisco, CALong Beach, CA
Median Salary$76,574$83,779
Hourly Rate$36.81$40.28
Entry Level (P10)$67,849$48,592
25th Percentile$74,099$64,402
75th Percentile$97,984$107,237
Top Earner (P90)$127,331$129,857
Total Employed51089
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Francisco ($76,574) and Long Beach ($83,779) chiropractor salaries.San FranciscoLong BeachMedian Salary$76,574$83,779Entry Level (P10)$67,849$48,592Top Earner (P90)$127,331$129,857US Median $81,014

Verdict

Long Beach, CA offers better overall compensation for chiropractors, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to San Francisco.

The salary gap between San Francisco and Long Beach is $7,205 (9.41%). Long Beach's median is +3.41% compared to the US national median of $81,014.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in San Francisco spans $59,482,Long Beach spans $81,265. Long Beach has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced chiropractors.

San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$67,849
P25$74,099
Median$76,574
P75$97,984
P90 (Top)$127,331
Long Beach
P10 (Entry)$48,592
P25$64,402
Median$83,779
P75$107,237
P90 (Top)$129,857

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Long Beach ($74,075 effective) pays 11.84% more than San Francisco ($66,233 effective).

San Francisco
Nominal: $76,574
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $66,233
Long Beach
Nominal: $83,779
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $74,075

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Larger job market (510 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Long Beach if…

  • Higher median salary ($83,779/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($129,857)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,075)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, chiropractor salaries in San Francisco grew 0.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -34.5% growth in Long Beach over the same period.

San Francisco, CA

+0.7%

$74,340 (2019) → $74,860 (2025)

Long Beach, CA

+-34.5%

$125,107 (2024) → $81,903 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays chiropractors more: San Francisco or Long Beach?

Long Beach has a higher median chiropractor salary at $83,779/year, compared to San Francisco at $76,574/year — a difference of $7,205 (9.41%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Francisco and Long Beach?

San Francisco chiropractors earn $36.81/hr while Long Beach hygienists earn $40.28/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from San Francisco to Long Beach as a chiropractor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Francisco and Long Beach. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Francisco = $66,233, Long Beach = $74,075), job availability (510 vs 89 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level chiropractors earn in San Francisco vs Long Beach?

Entry-level (10th percentile) chiropractors earn $67,849 in San Francisco and $48,592 in Long Beach. The San Francisco area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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