Chiropractor Salary

Chiropractor Hourly Pay in Irvine, CA: $39.72 (2026)

Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a chiropractor working in Irvine, CA runs $39.72 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,609 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1011). Weighted against Irvine's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.12 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,570 per year.

$82,609
Median Annual Salary
$39.72/hr
Hourly Rate
$47,914
Entry Level (P10)
$128,045
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Chiropractor Hourly Rate in Irvine, CA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Irvine, CA chiropractor hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

Chiropractors in Irvine, California, can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $39.72 in 2026, which is slightly above the national hourly median of $38.95. This competitive pay is beneficial for part-time practitioners and per-diem workers, who often find opportunities in diverse environments such as private practice adjustment rooms, integrated medical clinics, and sports team training facilities. With an hourly pay range from $23.04 for entry-level positions to $61.56 for top earners, chiropractors in this city have various pathways to increase their earnings based on experience and specialization. The flexibility of part-time roles allows those working just three days a week to balance work and life while still enjoying decent compensation based on the higher median hourly rate in California.

About the Irvine Market

Salary estimated from California average ($105,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Chiropractor Hourly Wage Breakdown

PercentileHourly RatePer 8hr Shift
Entry Level (P10)$23.04$184.29
Lower Range (P25)$29.88$239.03
Median (P50)$39.72$317.75
Upper Range (P75)$50.84$406.71
Top Earners (P90)$61.56$492.46

Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Irvine

Based on $39.72/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.

Horizontal bars showing a chiropractor in Irvine earning $39.72/hr would make approximately $47,663 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $82,616 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$47,663Reduced (32 hr/wk)$63,551Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$82,616

At $39.72/hr, a chiropractor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Irvine, CA can expect to earn approximately $82,616 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,663. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Irvine.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$317.75
per 8hr shift
$1,588.77
per week
$6,885
per month
$82,616
per year

Schedule Comparison in Irvine

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Full-Time (40 hrs)$1,588.77$6,885$82,616
Part-Time (24 hrs)$953.26$4,131$49,570
Per Diem (16 hrs)$635.51$2,754$33,046

Compare DC Wages With Similar Roles

RoleMedian Hourly
Chiropractor (Irvine)$39.72
Physical Therapist (National Avg)$48.18
Occupational Therapist (National Avg)$46.10
Massage Therapist (National Avg)$28.37
Athletic Trainer (National Avg)$27.28
Horizontal bar chart comparing chiropractor median salary in Irvine ($82,609) with California average ($79,509) and the US national median ($81,014).Irvine$82,609California Avg$79,509+3.90%US National$81,014+1.97%

Chiropractors in Irvine, CA earn a median of $82,609 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.97% higher than the national median of $81,014 and 3.90% above the California state average of $79,509.

Chiropractor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living

Working 24h/week at $39.72/hr = $49,570/year (purchasing power: $43,828).

Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,616/year (purchasing power: $73,047).

CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).

2019 BLS Actual

$34.49/hr

2025 BLS Actual

$38.83/hr

2026 Current Est.

$39.72/hr

2019–2027 Growth

+17.8%

Hourly Rate Trajectory for Chiropractors in Irvine (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.29% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for chiropractors in Irvine. Baseline $34.49/hr in 2025, projected to $40.63/hr by 2027.$30$38$47$56$642019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$34.49$34.67$36.77$36.96$37.52$59.31$38.83$39.72$40.63
YearHourly RateStatus
2019$34.49/hrActual
2020$34.67/hrActual
2021$36.77/hrActual
2022$36.96/hrActual
2023$37.52/hrActual
2024$59.31/hrActual
2025$38.83/hrActual
2026(current)$39.72/hrEstimated
2027$40.63/hrProjected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for chiropractors in Irvine grew 12.6% from $34.49/hr (2019) to $38.83/hr (2025). At a 2.29% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.63/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem chiropractors can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Irvine metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.29% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.

Working as an Hourly Chiropractor in Irvine

Looking at the financial reality for part-time chiropractors, those working three days a week—typically around 24 hours—could take home approximately $49,510 annually, compared to a full-time chiropractor's potential earnings. Many per-diem positions and agency roles offer higher daily rates, often ranging from $300 to $600, with sports events and weekend coverage bringing in between $400 and $1,000 per day. The disparities in hourly rates depend significantly on the employer type, with solo practices often providing lower rates compared to integrated medical facilities or franchise chains like The Joint Chiropractic, which can pay $50-$70 hourly plus productivity bonuses. Some chiropractors may choose lower hourly wages for the stability that comes with health insurance benefits, while others might prioritize higher rates without benefits. For chiropractors navigating negotiations in Irvine, research on local pay scales and effective communication about value are essential to secure competitive compensation in this evolving healthcare market.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for chiropractors in Irvine in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for chiropractors in Irvine is $39.72/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.29% annual growth). Rates range from $23.04 at entry level (10th percentile) to $61.56 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 2.0% above the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time chiropractors make in Irvine?

A part-time chiropractor working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Irvine earns approximately $4,131/month, or $49,570/year at the median hourly rate of $39.72. Many chiropractors prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are chiropractors in Irvine paid hourly or salary?

The majority of chiropractors in Irvine are paid hourly at a median rate of $39.72/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $82,616/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time chiropractor make per year in Irvine?

A full-time chiropractor working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Irvine earns approximately $82,616/year at the median hourly rate of $39.72. This is 2.0% above the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $128,041/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do chiropractors earn more per hour working part-time in Irvine?

Part-time and per diem chiropractors in Irvine sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $61.56/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

Related Pages

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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

Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.29% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for chiropractors in Irvine. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Irvine is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.29%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for chiropractors (SOC 29-1011).

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, D.C., a licensed chiropractor with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov

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