Acupuncturists

SOC code 29-1291 · O*NET-SOC 29-1291.00 · Extensive preparation needed · Healthcare

Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation

Acupuncturists pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$76,040

a year

Hourly

$36.56

per hour

10th$38,830Median$76,04090th$161,470

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$87,020

$41.84 per hour

Middle 50%

$55,380 – $102,280

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$38,830 – $161,470

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

7,830

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $38,830; $18.67/hr
25th percentile: $55,380; $26.63/hr
Median percentile: $76,040; $36.56/hr
75th percentile: $102,280; $49.17/hr
90th percentile: $161,470; $77.63/hr

What does an acupuncturist 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.

The tasks that matter most day to day

Maintain and follow standard quality, safety, environmental, and infection control policies and procedures.
Treat patients using tools, such as needles, cups, ear balls, seeds, pellets, or nutritional supplements.
Adhere to local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and statutes.
Identify correct anatomical and proportional point locations based on patients' anatomy and positions, contraindications, and precautions related to treatments, such as intradermal needles, moxibustion, electricity, guasha, or bleeding.
Develop individual treatment plans and strategies.
Insert needles to provide acupuncture treatment.
Evaluate treatment outcomes and recommend new or altered treatments as necessary to further promote, restore, or maintain health.
Collect medical histories and general health and lifestyle information from patients.

How to become an acupuncturist

Most people in this role hold master's degree — 68% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 5 — Extensive preparation needed

Education: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Training: Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

See all zone 5 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

Master's Degree68%
Doctoral Degree14%
Post-Secondary Certificate7%
First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession.7%

Common questions

How much does an acupuncturist earn?

The national median is $76,040 a year. The full range runs from $38,830 at the 10th percentile to $161,470 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become an acupuncturist without a degree?

Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 5, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Active Listening3.9/5
Critical Thinking3.8/5
Speaking3.6/5
Reading Comprehension3.3/5
Monitoring3.3/5
Writing3.1/5

Knowledge areas

Customer and Personal Service4.5/5
Medicine and Dentistry4.1/5
Psychology3.8/5
Biology3.7/5
English Language3.6/5
Administrative3.5/5
Therapy and Counseling3.5/5
Administration and Management3.4/5

Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Judgment and Decision Making, Complex Problem Solving.