jesse14 said:
Would anyone happen to know what the avrg salarey for a DC is?? I'm debating on whether to go to chiropractic college or podiatry school. I'm from canada, so going to pod school would be very expensive and new pods arn't even allowed back into Ontario to practice. (we have a chiropody program here). I like chiropractic and i just want to get as much info as possible!
Thank's guys!
First...as always...do what you have a "true" desire to do otherwise you will probably be miserable even if you succeed. Having said that I believe you should reconsider your choices if you are concerned about money.
Being an associate D.C. is NOT LUCRATIVE I make about $46K but the average starting salary is $40-$60. Most successful D.C.'s are lucky to gross $100K or so. Most fall around $80K IF THEY CAN STAY IN PRACTICE. Yes, some do make $$$$ Hundreds of thousands but they are the rare exception, not the rule like M.D.'s, D.O.'s and Dentists.
That's not to say it isn't your bag, but if I had it to do over again I would have chosen another field. Chiropractic is a very controversial career field and with good reason. Most who don't know what in the H#$% they are talking about will always discredit your education even though they know NOTHING about it and insurance companies mostly assume you are providing unnecessary care because a pill is cheaper and gets faster relief. Most of the time you will be dealing with W/C or PI patients who are NOT the most pleasant or ethical patients and, yes, the blasted lawyers who represent them. True enough, you can have a family practice and do well with a lot of work but my advice is put that much effort while your in school and maybe you won't have to work that hard AFTER school to make some $$$.
The limited benefit chiropractic offers will leave you feeling inadequate for the amount of money, effort and time you put into your education. Twenty years ago I wouldn't have said that, now, your looking on average $100-$130K for school loans...not worth it. Again, if your really hooked on adjusting people and love talking up your skills (which you will do alot) then you can make it. I'm sure it's not as complicated a field as medicine, dentistry or podiatry so the stress level of the profession is less and possibly worth it from a lifestyle perspective. I work about 38 hours a week and my boss who makes $120K works about 30 hours after 18 years in practice.
Now Podiatry, I have no educated answer except that from my past research into Podiatry and salary it has some of the same complaints. Podiatry schools, as I understand it, are hurting and are somewhat easier to get into now because of the decline in enrollment. You will study along side medical students and do the residency afterwards (I believe). You can work in most places M.D.'s do but do you really want to stare at feet the rest of your life? Regretably, the forums I ran across also were filled with disgruntled DPM's who aren't earning the income they thought was available to them. It, like chiropractic, requires one to be in private practice to realize higher income potential but also assumes alot of risk as any business does (50% failure rate on average). For all the work Podiatry school will take...probably should just become an M.D. or D.O. and you can work on any damn thing you feel like w/o any restrictions!
But to answer your question I remember the average being about $110K private practice and $80K salary (government, etc). Probably $50-65K to start as an associate. However, it is a small field and if marketed right you could have a great number of patients...all old, diabetic and UGLY, smelly feet but still needing podiatric care.
If Medicine is too long or tough then don't rule out P.A. or N.P. as these two fields have enormous job security and are getting an expanded scope of practice (equates to more money$$$) every year that comes because it's cheaper for hospitals, insurance companies, etc. to use them. Less time and more return for $$$/Time invested. 2-3 years, no residency requirement, prescription rights, autonomy (limited but growing), salary w/o business ownership risk, $70-90K for life and growing.
For me, my skill is in my hands (dexterity) and analytical thinking. Having been around D.C.'s in the old days, small town life, they made boo koo bucks. Now as an adult, very different story. I think Dentistry would have been a far better fit for my talents.
Not to burst your bubble but there is ALWAYS alot of hype put out by the schools, organizations, etc and should not be believed. In addition, don't believe knuckle heads who begin answering your questions on chiropractic by bashing it's philosophy or efficacy ... it's a waste of time they already hate chiropractic and you won't get a "real" answer just "poo". There's wacko's in every profession, chiropractic just has more of them but not all of them.
I hope this helps. It's honest and credible information.
Chirodoc
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