1. Home: Explore careers
  2. Chiropractor

Chiropractor

Alternative titles for this job include

Chiropractors manipulate joints, bones and soft tissue to help clients control pain or prevent injuries from re-occurring.

Average salary (a year)

Variable

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 39 variable

You could work

in your own business managing your own hours

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a chiropractor

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course

University

You'll need to complete a 4-year degree or postgraduate master's course recognised by the General Chiropractic Council.

This involves 3 years of full-time study and 1 year working under supervision.

You may be able to take an Access to Science course if you do not have the degree entry requirements.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
  • 3 A levels or equivalent

More Information

Volunteering

You'll need to get paid or unpaid experience of working with a chiropractor before applying for a course.

You'll also find it useful to get experience of working in a health or care role. You could contact the voluntary services co-ordinator or manager at your local NHS trust for more advice.

More Information

Registration

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a chiropractor from the General Chiropractic Council and the British Chiropractic Association.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • sensitivity and understanding
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • customer service skills
  • knowledge of how the human body works
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work well with others
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In your day-to-day duties you may:

  • use your hands to treat disorders of bones, muscles and joints
  • manipulate the spine
  • treat neck, back and shoulder pain
  • treat sciatica and leg problems
  • help clients with sports injuries, poor posture and joint and muscle pain
  • make sure your client's condition is suitable for treatment
  • discuss their symptoms and health problems in detail
  • carry out examinations, sometimes using x-rays or blood tests
  • design a programme of treatment for each individual client
  • give advice on lifestyle, diet and exercise to support recovery

Working environment

You could work in a therapy clinic.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

Most chiropractors work on a self-employed basis.

With experience you could set up your own practice.

You could also move into education, or specialise in sports medicine, rehabilitation, neurology or research.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a chiropractor right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Applied Science

  • Provider: HARTISMERE SCHOOL
  • Start date: 01 September 2023
  • Location: Eye

T Level Health and Science - Science

  • Provider: BIRCHWOOD COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL
  • Start date: 01 September 2023
  • Location: Warrington
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Search further careers

Related careers

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Speak to an adviser

You can call 0800 100 900 or use webchat to speak to an adviser.

We're open:

  • 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday
  • 10am to 5pm Saturday and bank holidays

We're closed Sunday, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Is this page useful?

Yes No

Thank you for your feedback.

Thank you for your feedback. Click here if you'd like to let us know how we can improve the service.