Chiropractor Hourly Pay in Boulder, CO: $35.33 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a chiropractor working in Boulder, CO runs $35.33 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $73,485 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1011). Weighted against Boulder's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.2, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $33.58 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,093 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Chiropractors in Boulder, Colorado, earn a median hourly pay of $35.33, which falls below the national median of $38.95. This figure reflects what professionals in this field can expect to earn in various workplace settings like private practices, integrated medical clinics, and sports medicine facilities. The hourly rate offers flexible options, particularly attractive for part-time chiropractors who may work three days a week. With an hourly range from $15.26 for entry-level positions to $35.59 for those at the higher end of the spectrum, those pursuing part-time or per-diem opportunities have potential earning variability, depending on their experience and chosen work environment. BLS estimates based on 2025 data, projected to 2026, provide these insights into the chiropractic compensation structure in Boulder.
Chiropractor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.26 | $122.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $15.26 | $122.09 |
| Median (P50) | $35.33 | $282.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.53 | $284.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.59 | $284.69 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Boulder
Based on $35.33/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.33/hr, a chiropractor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Boulder, CO can expect to earn approximately $73,488 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,397. With a cost-of-living index of 105.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Boulder.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Boulder
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,413.24 | $6,124 | $73,488 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $847.94 | $3,674 | $44,093 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $565.30 | $2,450 | $29,395 |
Compare DC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Chiropractor (Boulder) | $35.33 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.18 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $46.10 |
| Massage Therapist (National Avg) | $28.37 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.28 |
Chiropractors in Boulder, CO earn a median of $73,485 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.29% lower than the national median of $81,014 and 13.60% below the Colorado state average of $85,052.
Chiropractor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.33/hr = $44,093/year (purchasing power: $41,913).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $73,488/year (purchasing power: $69,855).
CoL index: 105.202 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$29.70/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.33/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Chiropractors in Boulder (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.29% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.70/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.43/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.98/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.87/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.38/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.17/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.33/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.14/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for chiropractors in Boulder grew 16.3% from $29.70/hr (2019) to $34.54/hr (2025). At a 2.29% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.14/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem chiropractors can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boulder metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 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 Boulder
Examining the potential earnings for part-time chiropractors reveals that working just three days a week for 24 hours annually may yield around $54,041, allowing them to balance work and life outside of full-time commitments. Per diem chiropractor pay in Boulder can be lucrative, with daily rates at established practices ranging from $300 to $600, while weekend sports event coverage can net between $400 and $1,000. Franchise chains, notably The Joint Chiropractic, often offer hourly pay between $50 and $70, sometimes supplemented by productivity bonuses. In Boulder, hourly rates can fluctuate significantly depending on whether a chiropractor is in solo practice, part of a multi-doctor clinic, or working within a military health system, such as the VA. For many, the trade-off between higher hourly wages without benefits and lower wages that include health insurance is a key consideration. When negotiating hourly pay, it is essential to recognize the market competition in Boulder and to factor in not just wages, but also benefits, scheduling flexibility, and professional development opportunities.
More salary data for Boulder, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
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 Boulder. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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