Chiropractor Salary

San Francisco vs Upland: Chiropractor Salary (2026)

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

San Francisco, CA
$76,574
$36.81/hr
Upland, CA
$76,907
$36.98/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Francisco, CAUpland, CA
Median Salary$76,574$76,907
Hourly Rate$36.81$36.98
Entry Level (P10)$67,849$44,606
25th Percentile$74,099$58,135
75th Percentile$97,984$98,441
Top Earner (P90)$127,331$119,206
Total Employed51018
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Francisco ($76,574) and Upland ($76,907) chiropractor salaries.San FranciscoUplandMedian Salary$76,574$76,907Entry Level (P10)$67,849$44,606Top Earner (P90)$127,331$119,206US Median $81,014

Verdict

San Francisco and Upland are closely matched on overall chiropractor compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between San Francisco and Upland is $333 (0.43%). Upland's median is -5.07% 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,Upland spans $74,600. Upland 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
Upland
P10 (Entry)$44,606
P25$58,135
Median$76,907
P75$98,441
P90 (Top)$119,206

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Upland ($67,999 effective) pays 2.67% more than San Francisco ($66,233 effective).

San Francisco
Nominal: $76,574
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $66,233
Upland
Nominal: $76,907
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $67,999

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($127,331)
  • Larger job market (510 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Upland if…

  • Higher median salary ($76,907/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,999)
  • 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 Upland over the same period.

San Francisco, CA

+0.7%

$74,340 (2019) → $74,860 (2025)

Upland, CA

+-34.5%

$114,845 (2024) → $75,185 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays chiropractors more: San Francisco or Upland?

Upland has a higher median chiropractor salary at $76,907/year, compared to San Francisco at $76,574/year — a difference of $333 (0.43%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Francisco and Upland?

San Francisco chiropractors earn $36.81/hr while Upland hygienists earn $36.98/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from San Francisco to Upland as a chiropractor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Francisco and Upland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Francisco = $66,233, Upland = $67,999), job availability (510 vs 18 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) chiropractors earn $67,849 in San Francisco and $44,606 in Upland. 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