Acupuncturist Salary
Acupuncturists earn a median $76,040 a year nationally. Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
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.
- Typical education
- Master's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +8.6% (much faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 800
- Self-employed
- 46%
Employment of acupuncturists is projected to grow 8.6% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 800 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Acupuncturist take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,899
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,714
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,103
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$62,324
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,830 | $18.67 | $33,380 |
| 25th percentile | $55,380 | $26.63 | $46,678 |
| Median (50th) | $76,040 | $36.56 | $62,324 |
| 75th percentile | $102,280 | $49.17 | $80,784 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $161,470 | $77.63 | $121,631 |
Acupuncturist salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | $141,430 | — | $107,933 | $59,990 – $239,200+ | — |
| New Jersey | $125,260 | +44.7% | $91,092 | $73,110 – $187,360 | 240 |
| Indiana | $120,490 | +63.2% | $90,070 | $62,050 – $127,300 | 30 |
| Maryland | $101,650 | +30.2% | $75,876 | $52,020 – $115,500 | — |
| Massachusetts | $93,360 | −31.0% | $70,061 | $52,970 – $149,080 | — |
| Missouri | $89,000 | +10.8% | $68,196 | $45,330 – $144,840 | — |
| New York | $86,120 | −8.0% | $65,362 | $55,380 – $142,240 | 1,160 |
| Arizona | $85,300 | −2.8% | $66,915 | $35,350 – $114,980 | 70 |
| Kentucky | $85,130 | +3.5% | $65,857 | $85,130 – $101,880 | 60 |
| Wisconsin | $84,820 | +13.9% | $65,386 | $63,240 – $107,240 | 170 |
| Washington | $83,200 | +13.3% | $67,361 | $75,350 – $139,930 | — |
| Maine | $83,040 | +25.2% | $62,807 | $45,070 – $134,570 | — |
| New Hampshire | $77,470 | −6.8% | $63,330 | $50,120 – $107,880 | — |
| North Carolina | $76,500 | +4.7% | $60,104 | $41,390 – $94,230 | 320 |
| California | $75,530 | −2.7% | $58,153 | $37,810 – $186,300 | 2,520 |
| Georgia | $73,980 | +22.4% | $57,658 | $23,800 – $99,360 | 140 |
| Florida | $69,990 | −61.9% | $58,068 | $36,570 – $198,010 | 900 |
| Minnesota | $69,690 | −44.1% | $54,641 | $39,990 – $134,570 | 210 |
| Texas | $66,530 | −19.0% | $55,634 | $31,470 – $90,420 | — |
| Michigan | $65,490 | −57.3% | $52,269 | $37,130 – $181,240 | — |
| Oregon | $64,870 | +2.0% | $49,457 | $51,740 – $104,000 | 360 |
| Hawaii | $64,570 | — | $50,685 | $64,560 – $102,740 | — |
| Utah | $58,620 | — | $47,609 | $58,480 – $88,270 | — |
| Colorado | $56,950 | — | $46,142 | $43,310 – $101,180 | — |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist | $98,100 | Associate's degree | +8.0% |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $115,210 | Master's degree | +5.5% |
| Dietitian and Nutritionist | $76,400 | Bachelor's degree | +7.7% |
| Therapists, All Other | $77,930 | Bachelor's degree | +12.6% |
| Chiropractor | $79,200 | Doctoral or professional degree | +8.7% |
| Respiratory Therapist | $82,280 | Associate's degree | +8.5% |
| Recreational Therapist | $61,960 | Bachelor's degree | +4.8% |
| Exercise Physiologist | $59,460 | Bachelor's degree | +12.8% |
| Audiologist | $95,780 | Doctoral or professional degree | +11.0% |
| Registered Nurse | $97,550 | Bachelor's degree | +5.6% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a acupuncturist make?
The national median salary for acupuncturists is $76,040 a year ($36.56 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $38,830 and the top 10% earn over $161,470. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays acupuncturists the most?
Tennessee has the highest median pay at $141,430.
How many acupuncturists are there in the U.S.?
About 7,830 people work as acupuncturists nationwide.