Chiropractor Salary

Smyrna vs Wilmington: Chiropractor Salary (2026)

Compare chiropractor salaries between Smyrna, DE and Wilmington, DE. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Smyrna, DE
$79,413
$38.17/hr
Wilmington, DE
$82,657
$39.74/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSmyrna, DEWilmington, DE
Median Salary$79,413$82,657
Hourly Rate$38.17$39.74
Entry Level (P10)$48,094$47,941
25th Percentile$62,772$61,514
75th Percentile$101,649$105,802
Top Earner (P90)$123,090$128,119
Total Employed510
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Smyrna ($79,413) and Wilmington ($82,657) chiropractor salaries.SmyrnaWilmingtonMedian Salary$79,413$82,657Entry Level (P10)$48,094$47,941Top Earner (P90)$123,090$128,119US Median $81,014

Verdict

Wilmington, DE offers better overall compensation for chiropractors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Smyrna.

The salary gap between Smyrna and Wilmington is $3,244 (4.08%). Wilmington's median is +2.03% compared to the US national median of $81,014.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Smyrna spans $74,996,Wilmington spans $80,178. Wilmington has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced chiropractors.

Smyrna
P10 (Entry)$48,094
P25$62,772
Median$79,413
P75$101,649
P90 (Top)$123,090
Wilmington
P10 (Entry)$47,941
P25$61,514
Median$82,657
P75$105,802
P90 (Top)$128,119

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Wilmington ($81,275 effective) pays 4.08% more than Smyrna ($78,086 effective).

Smyrna
Nominal: $79,413
CoL Index: 101.7
Adjusted: $78,086
Wilmington
Nominal: $82,657
CoL Index: 101.7
Adjusted: $81,275

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Smyrna if…

  • You prefer the Delaware area and lifestyle

Choose Wilmington if…

  • Higher median salary ($82,657/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($128,119)
  • Larger job market (10 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $81,275)
  • You prefer the Delaware area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, chiropractor salaries in Smyrna grew 0.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -3.8% growth in Wilmington over the same period.

Smyrna, DE

+0.5%

$77,258 (2024) → $77,635 (2025)

Wilmington, DE

+-3.8%

$83,970 (2024) → $80,807 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays chiropractors more: Smyrna or Wilmington?

Wilmington has a higher median chiropractor salary at $82,657/year, compared to Smyrna at $79,413/year — a difference of $3,244 (4.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Smyrna and Wilmington?

Smyrna chiropractors earn $38.17/hr while Wilmington hygienists earn $39.74/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Smyrna to Wilmington as a chiropractor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Smyrna and Wilmington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Smyrna = $78,086, Wilmington = $81,275), job availability (5 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level chiropractors earn in Smyrna vs Wilmington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) chiropractors earn $48,094 in Smyrna and $47,941 in Wilmington. The Smyrna area offers higher starting salaries.
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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