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.
Acupuncturists
SOC: 29-1291 O*NET: 29-1291.00
Median Salary
$78,140
per year
Job Growth
📈 6.8%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.9
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Job Zone 5
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.
What does a Acupuncturists do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$41,840
10th percentile
Early Career
$54,090
25th percentile
Median
$78,140
50th percentile
Experienced
$107,120
75th percentile
Top Earners
$158,540
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$41,840
25th
$54,090
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$78,140
Mean: $89,750
75th
$107,120
90th
$158,540
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $116,700 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $54,090 and $107,120
- •Salary spread is 67.9% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 8,440 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:15,300
Top Industries
Ambulatory Health Care Services85.7%
Offices of Other Health Practitioners78.8%
Offices of All Other Health Practitioners72.6%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+6.8%
Annual Openings:900
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)15,300
Current
2034 (Projected)16,400
+6.8%
+1,000
Employment Change
+6.8%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Acupuncturists professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 24 locations
California
2,330 jobs$77,6402.36x
Oregon
640 jobs$63,6205.99x
New Jersey
360 jobs$86,5501.54x
Washington
270 jobs$73,4201.39x
North Carolina
250 jobs$73,1000.95x
Minnesota
180 jobs$124,6401.15x
Missouri
140 jobs$80,3600.88x
Georgia
100 jobs$60,4400.38x
Massachusetts
90 jobs$135,2500.43x
Wisconsin
90 jobs$74,4500.56x
Idaho
90 jobs$37,4301.99x
Maine
60 jobs$66,3201.75x
Alaska
40 jobs$82,0402.46x
Florida
0 jobs$183,5300.00x
Michigan
0 jobs$153,3500.00x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Service Orientation
94%
#3
Social Perceptiveness
86%
#4
Critical Thinking
80%
#5
Speaking
74%
#6
Judgment and Decision Making
66%
#7
Complex Problem Solving
60%
#8
Monitoring
54%
#9
Reading Comprehension
46%
#10
Active Learning
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Service Orientation
advanced4.7
94%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate4.3
86%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.0
80%
Speaking
intermediate3.7
74%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.3
66%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.0
60%
Monitoring
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Service Orientation
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Active Learning
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Dentists, General100%
5 shared skills
Nurse Anesthetists100%
5 shared skills
Pharmacy Technicians100%
5 shared skills
Photographers100%
5 shared skills
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers82%
5 shared skills
Urologists82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
Learn on the Job:
- →Monitoring
- →Judgment and Decision Making
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Service Orientation
- ★Social Perceptiveness
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Speaking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Acupuncturists
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
INDEPENDENT
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy independent team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
18
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Training & Development (2)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)Planning & Development (2)General Responsibilities (8)Analysis & Evaluation (4)Management & Supervision (1)
1
Formulate herbal preparations to treat conditions considering herbal properties, such as taste, toxicity, effects of preparation, contraindications, and incompatibilities.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development100% perform100%
2
Maintain and follow standard quality, safety, environmental, and infection control policies and procedures.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping97% perform98%
3
Maintain detailed and complete records of health care plans and prognoses.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development94% perform96%
4
Dispense herbal formulas and inform patients of dosages and frequencies, treatment duration, possible side effects, and drug interactions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Consider Western medical procedures in health assessment, health care team communication, and care referrals.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation88% perform92%
6
Adhere to local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and statutes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Treat patients using tools, such as needles, cups, ear balls, seeds, pellets, or nutritional supplements.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Educate patients on topics, such as meditation, ergonomics, stretching, exercise, nutrition, the healing process, breathing, or relaxation techniques.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Evaluate treatment outcomes and recommend new or altered treatments as necessary to further promote, restore, or maintain health.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation76% perform84%
10
Assess patients' general physical appearance to make diagnoses.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on training & development activities
- •39% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Acupuncturists
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Acupuncturists professionals typically have a SIR Holland code and highly value achievement
SSocial
IInvestigative
RRealistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Acupuncturists
Concern for Others
CriticalConcern for Others
Importance Level4.79
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.76
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.76
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.69
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.31
Independence
Very ImportantIndependence
Importance Level4.24
Complete Work Styles Profile
Concern for Others
4.8
Integrity
4.8
Dependability
4.8
Attention to Detail
4.7
Self-Control
4.3
Independence
4.2
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.1
Initiative
4.0
Social Orientation
4.0
Persistence
4.0
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 5
Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Training:
Extensive training and work experience required
💼 Experience Requirement
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Master's or doctoral degree
- • Extensive work experience in the field
- • State licensure or professional certification
5
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Master's or doctoral degreeExtensive work experience in the fieldState licensure or professional certification
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