Chiropractors
Machines can already do 22% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 43%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Chiropractors in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 22% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2038, and 43% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 39,630 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $79,200 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 91% for contact with people.
- Also called: Chiropractic Doctor (DC), Chiropractic Neurologist, Chiropractic Physician.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perform a series of manual adjustments to the spine or other articulations of the body to correct the musculoskeletal system | 31% | 3% to 25% | |
| Evaluate the functioning of the neuromuscularskeletal system and the spine using systems of chiropractic diagnosis | 10% | 3% to 25% | |
| Maintain accurate case histories of patients | 10% | 63% to 81% | |
| Diagnose health problems by reviewing patients' health and medical histories, questioning, observing, and examining patients and interpreting x-rays | 9% | 3% to 25% | |
| Provide guidance to patients on exercises they can perform to improve mobility | 9% | 26% to 45% | |
| Advise patients about recommended courses of treatment | 8% | 32% to 50% | |
| Take x-rays | 6% | 36% to 68% | |
| Counsel patients about nutrition, exercise, sleeping habits, stress management, or other matters | 5% | 32% to 50% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills chiropractors use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Skincare Specialists41% of tasks by 2035 · US median $45,330
- Dentists, General31% of tasks by 2035 · US median $170,950
- Physical Therapists41% of tasks by 2035 · US median $102,760
- Athletic Trainers39% of tasks by 2035 · US median $62,520
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Chiropractors?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2038. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of chiropractors?
Machines can do 22% of the tasks of chiropractors today and 43% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 29-1011.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Chiropractors: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/chiropractors/