Chiropractor Salary

St. Louis vs University City: Chiropractor Salary (2026)

Compare chiropractor salaries between St. Louis, MO and University City, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

St. Louis, MO
$68,718
$33.04/hr
University City, MO
$63,321
$30.44/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSt. Louis, MOUniversity City, MO
Median Salary$68,718$63,321
Hourly Rate$33.04$30.44
Entry Level (P10)$49,560$36,726
25th Percentile$53,160$47,791
75th Percentile$98,137$81,051
Top Earner (P90)$160,687$98,147
Total Employed4306
Side-by-side bar chart comparing St. Louis ($68,718) and University City ($63,321) chiropractor salaries.St. LouisUniversity CityMedian Salary$68,718$63,321Entry Level (P10)$49,560$36,726Top Earner (P90)$160,687$98,147US Median $81,014

Verdict

St. Louis, MO offers better overall compensation for chiropractors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to University City.

The salary gap between St. Louis and University City is $5,397 (8.52%). St. Louis's median is -15.18% compared to the US national median of $81,014.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in St. Louis spans $111,127,University City spans $61,421. St. Louis has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

St. Louis
P10 (Entry)$49,560
P25$53,160
Median$68,718
P75$98,137
P90 (Top)$160,687
University City
P10 (Entry)$36,726
P25$47,791
Median$63,321
P75$81,051
P90 (Top)$98,147

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Louis ($72,268 effective) pays 2.26% more than University City ($70,671 effective).

St. Louis
Nominal: $68,718
CoL Index: 95.088
Adjusted: $72,268
University City
Nominal: $63,321
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $70,671

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose St. Louis if…

  • Higher median salary ($68,718/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($160,687)
  • Larger job market (430 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $72,268)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose University City if…

  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, chiropractor salaries in St. Louis grew 3.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -7.8% growth in University City over the same period.

St. Louis, MO

+3.0%

$65,220 (2019) → $67,180 (2025)

University City, MO

+-7.8%

$67,134 (2024) → $61,903 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays chiropractors more: St. Louis or University City?

St. Louis has a higher median chiropractor salary at $68,718/year, compared to University City at $63,321/year — a difference of $5,397 (8.52%).

What is the hourly rate difference between St. Louis and University City?

St. Louis chiropractors earn $33.04/hr while University City hygienists earn $30.44/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from St. Louis to University City as a chiropractor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing St. Louis and University City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: St. Louis = $72,268, University City = $70,671), job availability (430 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level chiropractors earn in St. Louis vs University City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) chiropractors earn $49,560 in St. Louis and $36,726 in University City. The St. Louis area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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