The Job Outlook for Acupuncture Careers

If you’re thinking about becoming an acupuncturist, it’s a great time to get started, as the job outlook for acupuncture careers is good right now. Right now there are 41 states in the U.S. that recognize acupuncturists and oriental medicine practitioners, and eight more states have recently introduced legislation to make this a professionally licensed and recognized medical practice. There are nearly 11,000 licensed acupuncturists in the United States right now and as many as 12 million patient visits per year, according to the Food and Drug Administration. California is an especially popular place for acupuncture; almost 60 percent of Northern California physicians use or recommend it. More and more insurance plans include it as an available treatment—a sure sign of its acceptance in the healthcare community.


As a licensed acupuncturist you may be able to open a private practice, or you may be required to work under an MD depending on which state you work in. Your services will help patients who are suffering from chronic pain, internal issues and various diseases. Acupuncture is used for rehabilitation and preventive medicine, and it is often used in conjunction with other oriental medicine practices. You have many options for where and how you want to work in this field.


One of the most important aspects of the job outlook for acupuncture careers is the salary range. Several factors will influence how much you are paid such as education level, experience, geographic location and what type of facility you work in or whether you have your own private practice. Experts estimate that new acupuncturists with less than a year of experience make an average of $45,000 annually, while master acupuncturists who have been practicing for 20 years or longer earn a median annual salary of $122,500. It may depend on what state you live in, though. Acupuncturists in California make the most, closely followed by New York, while acupuncturists in Texas make the least. Some other good states to practice acupuncture include Florida, Massachusetts and Oregon.


Wherever you end up practicing acupuncture, the job outlook should be good. It’s a great time to enter this profession.


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