Chiropractor Salary in Wilmington, NC: $63,655 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time chiropractor in Wilmington, NC earns a median $63,655/year (≈ $30.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1011). Once you factor in Wilmington's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.4), that paycheck buys what $66,017 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 32.0% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wilmington, North Carolina, chiropractors can anticipate a median annual salary of $63,655, reflecting a unique market influenced by both independent and franchise practices. The salary range for these professionals spans from $26,872 at the 10th percentile to $141,856 at the 90th percentile, indicating diverse earning potential depending on practice setting and patient volume. This data, derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights the local chiropractic landscape where job opportunities exist primarily through solo practices and emerging franchise models, such as The Joint Chiropractic. With a competitive pay structure, Wilmington offers a compelling choice for new graduates or seasoned practitioners assessing their options in the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26,872 | $12.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33,899 | $16.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,655 | $30.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $114,585 | $55.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $141,856 | $68.21 |
Median Salary Position
21.43% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilmington
In Wilmington, NC, the chiropractor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $114,984 (2026 est.). At $63,655, the local median is 21.43% below the national median of $81,014.
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At 40 hours/week in Wilmington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wilmington Chiropractor Pay Compares
Wilmington median: $63,655/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilmington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $93,610 | -32.00% less |
| National Average | $81,014 | -21.43% less |
Chiropractors in Wilmington, NC earn a median of $63,655 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.43% lower than the national median of $81,014 and 32.00% below the North Carolina state average of $93,610.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilmington has a cost of living 3.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilmington, NC has a cost-of-living index of 96.422 (below the national average of 100). A chiropractor earning $63,655 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,017 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.71% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,268
2025 BLS Actual
$62,230
2026 Current Est.
$63,655
2019–2027 Growth
+17.8%
Salary Trajectory for Chiropractors in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.29% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,268 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,567 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,030 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,229 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,132 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,530 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,230 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,655 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,113 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilmington metropolitan area, the median chiropractor salary grew 12.6% from $55,268 (2019) to $62,230 (2025). At a 2.29% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,113 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,845 (17.81%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilmington 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) | $26,872 – $33,899 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $33,899 – $63,655 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,655 – $114,585 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $114,585 – $141,856 |
DC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual chiropractor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Chiropractor Job Market in Wilmington
With around 70 chiropractors currently employed in Wilmington, the local job market provides a stable foundation for practitioners. The cost of living index at 96.422 suggests that while the salary might lag behind the national average, it can still afford a comfortable lifestyle for residents. Among various employment options, multi-doctor clinics and integrated practices typically offer higher compensation compared to solo practices. Chiropractor pay in Wilmington NC can vary significantly based on factors like business ownership equity, insurance models, and engagement in community consulting for sports teams. To maximize earning potential, chiropractors should consider joining integrated health facilities or engaging in sports medicine consulting, as these avenues often yield higher reimbursement rates and foster growth through referrals.
More salary data for Wilmington, NC:
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 $62,230 for chiropractorsin the Wilmington 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, 3-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