Chiropractor Hourly Pay in Lafayette, LA: $37.66 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a chiropractor working in Lafayette, LA runs $37.66 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $78,334 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1011). Weighted against Lafayette's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.2, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $43.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,004 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Lafayette, Louisiana, the chiropractor hourly pay stands at a median rate of $37.66, which is slightly below the national median of $38.95. This rate signifies a competitive compensation for both full-time and part-time chiropractors operating in various environments like private practices, medical clinics, and corporate wellness programs. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, this hourly wage can facilitate a comfortable income while allowing a flexible schedule. Entry-level positions may start at an hourly rate of $22.13, while experienced chiropractors in high-demand settings or specialties can earn up to $79.46 per hour. The data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates for 2026 based on 2025 BLS data, highlights the income potential for chiropractors in this mid-sized urban setting.
Chiropractor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.13 | $177.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.84 | $182.73 |
| Median (P50) | $37.66 | $301.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.31 | $410.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79.46 | $635.67 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lafayette
Based on $37.66/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.66/hr, a chiropractor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lafayette, LA can expect to earn approximately $78,339 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,196. With a cost-of-living index of 87.21 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lafayette.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lafayette
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,506.53 | $6,528 | $78,339 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $903.92 | $3,917 | $47,004 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $602.61 | $2,611 | $31,336 |
Compare DC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Chiropractor (Lafayette) | $37.66 |
| 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 Lafayette, LA earn a median of $78,334 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.31% lower than the national median of $81,014 and 7.10% above the Louisiana state average of $73,141.
Chiropractor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.66/hr = $47,004/year (purchasing power: $53,898).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $78,339/year (purchasing power: $89,830).
CoL index: 87.209 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.81/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.82/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.66/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+76.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Chiropractors in Lafayette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.29% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.81/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.95/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.15/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.42/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.58/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.87/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.82/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.66/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.53/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for chiropractors in Lafayette grew 68.8% from $21.81/hr (2019) to $36.82/hr (2025). At a 2.29% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.53/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 Lafayette 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 Lafayette
A chiropractor working part-time in Lafayette, seeing patients three days a week for a total of 24 hours, would expect to take home around $46,940 per year before taxes, which reflects the impact of part-time scheduling on annual earnings. Per diem chiropractor pay in Lafayette can vary widely, where seasoned professionals might receive between $300 to $600 for daily coverage at established practices, or even between $400 to $1,000 for weekend events in sports medicine. Different types of employment, such as solo private practices or larger chiropractic chain facilities, affect hourly rates and benefits. While solo practice often provides lower pay, it may lack employee benefits. In contrast, integrated clinics and franchise models may offer competitive hourly rates upwards of $50 to $70 but require a commitment to productivity bonuses. When negotiating, chiropractors should consider the trade-offs between higher hourly wages without benefits versus more stable roles that provide health insurance and retirement contributions.
More salary data for Lafayette, LA:
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 Lafayette. 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, 6-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