Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Master's degree
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Acupuncturists work in a specialized healthcare profession with a defined national footprint and clear growth path. National employment stands at 15,000, and projections show 6.8% employment growth, supported by about 1,000 openings per year. The national median annual salary of $78,140 places this career in a solid earning range for many health-focused professionals. Opportunities are spread across the country, with particularly strong markets in states such as California and New York and metro areas like New York–Newark–Jersey City and San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont. Success in this field benefits from both scientific understanding and strong interpersonal skills, as well as detail orientation, fine motor ability, and physical stamina. A master’s degree is the typical education level, so this path suits students and career changers ready for graduate-level training. Overall, acupuncturist is a focused, skill-based career with structured education requirements and measurable demand across multiple regions.
Acupuncturists earn a national median annual salary of $78,140, giving this occupation a strong income foundation. Pay can vary meaningfully by location. Among the top states by opportunity score, New Jersey shows the highest listed median salary at $125,260, followed by New York at $86,120 and Wisconsin at $84,820. California’s median for acupuncturists is $75,530, while Minnesota’s is $69,690. At the metro level, the New York–Newark–Jersey City metro stands out with a median salary of $100,550, closely matched by Washington–Arlington–Alexandria at $100,920. Other featured metros, such as San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont ($62,590) and San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad ($64,490), offer lower medians but still sit near or above typical national pay for many occupations. These figures indicate that geographic choice can significantly affect earning potential for acupuncturists.
Acupuncturists have a clearly defined employment outlook supported by national projections. Current national employment is 15,000, with a projected growth rate of 6.8%. This growth is accompanied by an estimated 1,000 openings per year, which combines new job creation and other types of turnover. The consistent use of a 6.8% growth figure across highlighted states and metro areas indicates that the same projection is being applied widely, providing a uniform planning assumption for this career path. For students and career changers, the combination of defined current employment, a specific growth rate, and annual openings offers a concrete view of future opportunities. While the data do not break down openings by state or metro, the national figures suggest an ongoing need for new acupuncturists over the projection period.
Location has a noticeable impact on opportunity for acupuncturists, reflected in both salaries and CareerGPS opportunity scores. Among states, California has the highest employment level at 2,520, with a median salary of $75,530 and an opportunity score of 67.38. New York combines a higher median salary of $86,120 with employment of 1,160 and an opportunity score of 65.78. New Jersey shows a particularly high median salary of $125,260, with 240 employed and an opportunity score of 48.84, suggesting strong earnings in a smaller but notable market. Minnesota and Wisconsin present smaller employment bases (210 and 170 respectively) with moderate to strong salaries and mid-range opportunity scores. At the metro level, the New York–Newark–Jersey City area leads with an opportunity score of 77.27, employment of 1,210, and a median salary of $100,550. San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont offers 450 jobs and a $62,590 median salary, while Washington–Arlington–Alexandria pairs a $100,920 median with 160 jobs. San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad and Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington provide additional regional options with moderate employment and opportunity scores in the 50s.
The typical education requirement for acupuncturists is a master’s degree, so this career path is geared toward individuals prepared for graduate-level study. This academic foundation supports key skill areas highlighted for the role. Scientific knowledge is important, along with critical and analytical thinking and problem solving and decision making. Interpersonal skills and customer service are also central, reflecting the importance of working effectively with patients or clients. The occupation benefits from creativity and innovation and adaptability, indicating a need to respond thoughtfully in varied situations. Detail orientation and fine motor skills are critical for precise work, and physical strength and stamina support the physical aspects of the role. Together, the master’s-level education and this mix of cognitive, interpersonal, and physical skills define the professional profile for acupuncturists and can guide both education planning and self-assessment for potential entrants to the field.
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