Chiropractor Hourly Pay in Portland, ME: $48.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a chiropractor working in Portland, ME runs $48.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,482 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1011). Weighted against Portland's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.9, 2% above national), each hour of work buys what $47.90 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,893 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

Chiropractors in Portland, ME, earn a median hourly rate of $48.79, considerably surpassing the national hourly median of $38.95. This favorable rate allows for lucrative opportunities for both part-time practitioners and per-diem workers, who often find themselves in diverse work environments such as private practices, integrated medical clinics, and even sports training rooms. In this dynamic field, hourly earnings range from $29.32 for entry-level practitioners to as much as $97.62 for seasoned professionals at the top of their game. These figures, grounded in official BLS data projected for 2026, reflect not only the stability within the industry but also the competitive nature of the chiropractic market in Portland.
Chiropractor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.32 | $234.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.47 | $291.73 |
| Median (P50) | $48.79 | $390.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64.44 | $515.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97.62 | $780.92 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Portland
Based on $48.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.79/hr, a chiropractor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Portland, ME can expect to earn approximately $101,488 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,551. With a cost-of-living index of 101.86 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Portland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Portland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,951.69 | $8,457 | $101,488 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,171.02 | $5,074 | $60,893 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $780.68 | $3,383 | $40,595 |
Compare DC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Chiropractor (Portland) | $48.79 |
| 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 Portland, ME earn a median of $101,482 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.26% higher than the national median of $81,014 and 25.80% above the Maine state average of $80,669.
Chiropractor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.79/hr = $60,893/year (purchasing power: $59,782).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,488/year (purchasing power: $99,637).
CoL index: 101.858 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$43.45/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.70/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Chiropractors in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.29% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43.45/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.94/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.93/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $41.48/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.81/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.70/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.91/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for chiropractors in Portland grew 9.8% from $43.45/hr (2019) to $47.70/hr (2025). At a 2.29% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.91/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 Portland 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 Portland
Exploring part-time earnings for chiropractors working three days a week equates to significant annual income, albeit lower than full-time counterparts. A part-time chiropractor can expect to earn around $49,000 annually, a number that varies widely with attendance at clinics or participation in per-diem roles, which frequently pay between $300 and $600 per day for established practices, and weekend sports coverage could yield $400-$1,000 daily. Notably, solo private practices tend to offer different pay structures compared to multi-doctor clinics or franchise chains, where the chiropractor hourly rate in ME can be between $50 and $70, often including productivity bonuses. Many practitioners weigh the decision between higher hourly rates without benefits and lower rates with more comprehensive health coverage, presenting a unique trade-off for those considering their options. In negotiating hourly wages, local insights suggest that being well-informed about market rates and emphasizing unique skills can enhance a chiropractor's standing during discussions with potential employers in Portland.
More salary data for Portland, ME:
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 Portland. 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, 7-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