Chiropractor Salary in Modesto, CA: $75,326 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time chiropractor in Modesto, CA earns a median $75,326/year (≈ $36.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1011). Once you factor in Modesto's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 104.1), that paycheck buys what $72,354 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In Modesto, California, chiropractors can anticipate a median annual salary of $75,326 in 2026, which reflects a slight dip when compared to the national figure of $81,014. The projected salary range for chiropractors in this area varies significantly, from $74,672 at the 10th percentile to $104,540 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) and projected to 2026, indicate a local market that's partially reflective of the larger trends within the chiropractic field. As Modesto continues to have a mix of solo practitioners and integrated medical options, choice of practice can impact income. Those in franchise setups, like The Joint, may benefit from streamlined operations, while solo practitioners often have the opportunity to maximize profits through customized patient care.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,672 | $35.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,672 | $35.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,326 | $36.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,249 | $49.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104,540 | $50.27 |
Median Salary Position
7.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Modesto
In Modesto, CA, the chiropractor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,868 (2026 est.). At $75,326, the local median is 7.02% below the national median of $81,014.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Modesto: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Modesto Chiropractor Pay Compares
Modesto median: $75,326/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Modesto Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $79,542 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $81,014 | -7.02% less |
Chiropractors in Modesto, CA earn a median of $75,326 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.02% lower than the national median of $81,014 and 5.30% below the California state average of $79,542.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Modesto has a cost of living 4.11% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Modesto, CA has a cost-of-living index of 104.108 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $75,326 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,354 — a 3.95% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,402
2025 BLS Actual
$73,640
2026 Current Est.
$75,326
2019–2027 Growth
+17.8%
Salary Trajectory for Chiropractors in Modesto (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.29% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,402 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,755 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,735 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,088 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,157 | Actual |
| 2024 | $120,434 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,640 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,326 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,051 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Modesto metropolitan area, the median chiropractor salary grew 12.6% from $65,402 (2019) to $73,640 (2025). At a 2.29% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,051 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,649 (17.81%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Modesto 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $74,672 – $74,672 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,672 – $75,326 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,326 – $102,249 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,249 – $104,540 |
DC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual chiropractor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Chiropractor Job Market in Modesto
Currently, 40 chiropractors are actively employed in the Modesto area, underscoring a stable local job market. However, the cost of living index at 104.108 suggests that expenses are slightly higher than the national average, thus influencing take-home pay. Among various employment settings, multi-doctor chiropractic clinics typically provide competitive compensation, while integrated practices may offer higher salaries due to referrals and diverse income streams. The income variability stems from factors such as practice ownership stakes, subscription models in franchises, and the cash-pay versus insurance mix. Aspiring chiropractors in Modesto might consider avenues like sports medicine consulting or aligning with partnerships that enhance their patient base. Focus on continuing education and exploring dual-care settings could also contribute to elevating chiropractor pay in Modesto, CA.
More salary data for Modesto, CA:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $73,640 for chiropractorsin the Modesto metropolitan area. A 2.29% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-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