What Do Acupuncturist Do?
Acupuncturist Job Description Provide treatment of symptoms and disorders using needles and small electrical currents. May provide massage treatment. May also provide preventive treatments.
Life As an Acupuncturist: What Do They Do?
- Analyze physical findings and medical histories to make diagnoses according to Oriental medicine traditions.
- Consider Western medical procedures in health assessment, health care team communication, and care referrals.
- Educate patients on topics such as meditation, ergonomics, stretching, exercise, nutrition, the healing process, breathing, or relaxation techniques.
- Assess patients’ general physical appearance to make diagnoses.
- Treat medical conditions using techniques such as acupressure, shiatsu, or tuina.
- Collect medical histories and general health and life style information from patients.
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Skills Needed to be an Acupuncturist
When polled, Acupuncturists say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Types of Acupuncturist Jobs
- Auricular Detoxification Specialist
- Naturopathic Physician
- Clinic Supervisor
- Acupressurist
- Acupuncture Physician
Job Opportunities for Acupuncturists
In the United States, there were 56,400 jobs for Acupuncturist in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 13.3% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 7,500 new jobs for Acupuncturist by 2026. There will be an estimated 3,800 positions for Acupuncturist per year.
The states with the most job growth for Acupuncturist are Colorado, Oregon, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Wyoming, South Dakota, or Mississippi. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Acupuncturists Salary
Acupuncturists make between $40,910 and $141,330 a year.
Acupuncturists who work in Maryland, District of Columbia, or Georgia, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Acupuncturists in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $75,360 |
Alaska | $74,750 |
Arizona | $70,780 |
California | $74,080 |
Colorado | $61,630 |
Connecticut | $79,750 |
Delaware | $87,300 |
District of Columbia | $122,830 |
Florida | $66,660 |
Georgia | $107,530 |
Hawaii | $76,650 |
Idaho | $59,640 |
Illinois | $67,600 |
Indiana | $61,420 |
Kansas | $72,840 |
Kentucky | $60,670 |
Louisiana | $104,930 |
Maine | $79,090 |
Maryland | $126,550 |
Massachusetts | $88,290 |
Michigan | $78,210 |
Minnesota | $86,010 |
Mississippi | $67,310 |
Missouri | $68,600 |
Montana | $73,070 |
Nebraska | $51,310 |
Nevada | $52,800 |
New Hampshire | $72,400 |
New Jersey | $89,220 |
New Mexico | $70,490 |
New York | $77,400 |
North Carolina | $92,950 |
North Dakota | $48,300 |
Ohio | $84,760 |
Oklahoma | $72,510 |
Oregon | $83,430 |
Pennsylvania | $77,950 |
Rhode Island | $79,950 |
South Carolina | $72,050 |
South Dakota | $63,640 |
Tennessee | $59,990 |
Texas | $70,270 |
Utah | $74,310 |
Vermont | $83,520 |
Virginia | $86,250 |
Washington | $89,590 |
West Virginia | $64,840 |
Wisconsin | $75,260 |
What Tools do Acupuncturists Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Acupuncturists:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Word processing software
- Microsoft Windows
- Electronic health record EHR software
How to Become an Acupuncturist
Education needed to be an Acupuncturist:
How Long Does it Take to Become an Acupuncturist?
Similar Careers
Those who work as an Acupuncturist sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: Aphiwat chuangchoem via Creative Commons Zero (CC0)
More about our data sources and methodologies.