Acupuncturists

SOC Code: 29-1291
Also known as:
Acupressure Therapist, Acupressurist, Acupuncture Doctor, Acupuncture Physician, Acupuncture Provider
Median Annual Salary
$78,140
+6.8% growth (2024-2034)
900
Openings/Year
15K
Current Jobs

What Acupuncturists Do

Diagnose, treat, and prevent disorders by stimulating specific acupuncture points within the body using acupuncture needles. May also use cups, nutritional supplements, therapeutic massage, acupressure, and other alternative health therapies.

💰 Salary

$78,140
Median annual wage (2024)

📈 Job Growth

+6.8%
Faster than average

🎓 Education

Master's degree
Typical entry-level requirement

🚀 Annual Openings

900
Projected average per year

Employment Projections (2024-2034)

Current Employment (2024)

15,300

Projected Employment (2034)

16,400

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Top Skills Required

Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Social Perceptiveness
Service Orientation
Speaking

Daily Tasks & Responsibilities

  • Maintain and follow standard quality, safety, environmental, and infection control policies and procedures.
  • Treat patients using tools, such as needles, cups, ear balls, seeds, pellets, or nutritional supplements.
  • Adhere to local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and statutes.
  • Identify correct anatomical and proportional point locations based on patients' anatomy and positions, contraindications, and precautions related to treatments, such as intradermal needles, moxibustion, electricity, guasha, or bleeding.
  • Develop individual treatment plans and strategies.
  • Insert needles to provide acupuncture treatment.
  • Evaluate treatment outcomes and recommend new or altered treatments as necessary to further promote, restore, or maintain health.
  • Collect medical histories and general health and lifestyle information from patients.
  • Maintain detailed and complete records of health care plans and prognoses.
  • Educate patients on topics, such as meditation, ergonomics, stretching, exercise, nutrition, the healing process, breathing, or relaxation techniques.

Technology & Tools

Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft Windows Microsoft Word

📚 Entry-Level Education

Master's degree
Most common requirement

🎯 Recommended Education

Master's Degree
O*NET recommended level

Degree Programs for Acupuncturists

These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a acupuncturists:

Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

1,485 degrees awarded • 45 colleges offer this program
View Colleges →

Best Colleges for Becoming a Acupuncturists

Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become acupuncturists.

# College Location Related Degrees Repit Grade
1 MCPHS University Boston, MA 47 C+
2 Northwestern Health Sciences University Bloomington, MN 36 C+
3 New York College of Health Professions Syosset, NY 23 C+
4 Alhambra Medical University Alhambra, CA 46 C
5 Emperor's College of Traditional Oriental Medicine Santa Monica, CA 39 C
6 New York College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Mineola, NY 32 C
7 Dongguk University Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA 30 C
8 Bastyr University Kenmore, WA 28 C
9 Florida College of Integrative Medicine Orlando, FL 25 C
10 Atlantic Institute of Oriental Medicine Fort Lauderdale, FL 25 C
11 Academy for Five Element Acupuncture Gainesville, FL 21 C
12 Jung Tao School of Classical Chinese Medicine Sugar Grove, NC 20 C
13 University of East-West Medicine Sunnyvale, CA 18 C
14 Pacific College of Health and Science Chicago, IL 18 C
15 National University of Natural Medicine Portland, OR 16 C
16 Seattle Institute of East Asian Medicine Seattle, WA 13 C
17 Dragon Rises College of Oriental Medicine Gainesville, FL 12 C
18 California Institute of Integral Studies San Francisco, CA 12 C
19 Institute of Taoist Education and Acupuncture Louisville, CO 12 C
20 University of Bridgeport Bridgeport, CT 11 C

Want this ranking as a spreadsheet? Investor Pro+ members can export any Repit table to CSV. See plans →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do acupuncturists make?
The median annual salary for acupuncturists is $78,140.
What education do acupuncturists need?
Most acupuncturists positions require a master's degree. Common degree programs include Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
Is becoming acupuncturists a good career choice?
Acupuncturists is projected to see +6.8% job growth from 2024 to 2034, which is faster than average for all occupations. With approximately 900 job openings expected annually, there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for acupuncturists?
Top colleges for aspiring acupuncturists include MCPHS University, Northwestern Health Sciences University, New York College of Health Professions, Alhambra Medical University, Emperor's College of Traditional Oriental Medicine. These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to acupuncturists?
Acupuncturists may also be known as: Acupressure Therapist, Acupressurist, Acupuncture Doctor, Acupuncture Physician, Acupuncture Provider, Acupuncturist, Auricular Acupuncturist, Auricular Detoxification Specialist, Auricular Therapist, Chinese Medical Doctor (Chinese MD), Chinese Medicine Doctor, Herbalist, Licensed Acupuncturist (LAC), Oriental Medicine Provider, Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctor. These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.