Occupation · SOC 29-1129
Therapists, All Other
All therapists not listed separately.
Median wage
$65,010
$38,840–$120,050
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
19,320
Job Zone 5
Typical preparation
Extensive preparation
Stackable credential programs
123 mapped
Core skills
Active ListeningCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionSpeakingSocial PerceptivenessMonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingWriting
Knowledge areas
Medicine and DentistryCustomer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageBiologyPsychology
Technology & tools
Spreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail softwareWord processing softwareMedical software
Representative tasks
Evaluate the functioning of the neuromuscularskeletal system and the spine using systems of chiropraDiagnose health problems by reviewing patients' health and medical histories, questioning, observingPerform a series of manual adjustments to the spine or other articulations of the body to correct th
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Patient medical histories — collect and record using standardized intake protocols under clinical supervisor guidance in an outpatient therapy setting.Neuromuscular and skeletal assessment findings — document using established chiropractic diagnostic frameworks while shadowing licensed practitioners.Active listening techniques — apply during initial patient interviews to gather relevant symptom information under direct clinical oversight.Health and medical history questionnaires — review and flag anomalies for supervisor review prior to patient consultations.Basic manual adjustment techniques — practice on supervised training models and demonstrate foundational spinal adjustment sequencing in a clinical lab environment.Diagnostic terminology from medicine and chiropractic domains — interpret correctly when reviewing patient intake documentation under practitioner direction.Electronic health record software — enter structured patient data accurately following clinic-specific documentation protocols.Problem sensitivity — identify observable deviations in patient posture and gait during supervised physical assessments and report findings to the supervising clinician.Oral comprehension — demonstrate by accurately restating patient-reported symptoms and concerns back to the supervising therapist for verification.Clinical observation skills — apply to distinguish normal from abnormal musculoskeletal presentations during structured supervised patient encounters.
developing
Patient health and medical histories — obtain, synthesize, and record independently using comprehensive intake procedures in a routine outpatient therapy caseload.Neuromuscular and skeletal system functioning — evaluate using established chiropractic diagnostic systems with reduced oversight across a diverse patient panel.Manual spinal adjustments — perform a structured series on appropriate candidates using practiced technique protocols in a community clinic or private practice setting.Differential diagnoses — develop for common musculoskeletal complaints by integrating patient history, physical examination, and diagnostic criteria.Critical thinking — apply when evaluating conflicting clinical signs to select the most evidence-supported treatment approach for familiar patient presentations.Treatment progress — monitor by systematically reviewing patient response data across scheduled sessions and adjusting care plans within established clinical guidelines.Clinical documentation — produce clear, accurate written reports summarizing assessment findings, diagnoses, and treatment plans using office suite and medical software.Social perceptiveness — demonstrate by recognizing patient communication cues indicating discomfort or uncertainty and adapting explanations accordingly during consultations.Articulation adjustments beyond the spine — perform on peripheral joints using competency-verified techniques with peer or senior review available for non-routine cases.Patient education materials — develop and communicate using plain language to support adherence to therapeutic regimens in a structured outpatient environment.
proficient
Complex neuromuscular and skeletal system evaluations — conduct autonomously across a full patient spectrum, integrating chiropractic, biological, and psychological diagnostic frameworks.Non-routine health diagnoses — formulate by critically analyzing comprehensive medical histories, advanced diagnostic findings, and multisystem examination data without supervisor input.Full manual adjustment sequences for complex spinal and articular conditions — design and execute with precise technique calibration in high-acuity or specialty clinical environments.Judgment and decision making — exercise independently when determining contraindications to manual therapy and selecting alternative intervention pathways for at-risk patients.Inductive and deductive reasoning — apply simultaneously to recognize emerging clinical patterns and derive individualized diagnoses across unfamiliar or ambiguous patient presentations.Interdisciplinary care coordination — lead by communicating clinical findings and co-management plans clearly to physicians, physical therapists, and other healthcare practitioners.Clinical outcomes data — analyze systematically using medical and spreadsheet software to evaluate treatment efficacy and inform evidence-based practice refinements.Written clinical reports — author at a professional standard for medico-legal, insurance, and referral purposes, demonstrating mastery of English language and medical documentation conventions.Ethical and professional integrity — uphold consistently when navigating complex patient confidentiality, informed consent, and scope-of-practice decisions in autonomous practice.Patient psychological and social factors — assess and integrate into individualized treatment planning to address barriers to recovery within a biopsychosocial care model.
advanced
Clinical competency frameworks for therapeutic practice — design and implement across a multi-provider organization to standardize assessment and treatment quality at scale.Strategic diagnostic protocols — develop and refine institution-wide, drawing on advanced knowledge of medicine, biology, and chiropractic science to elevate system-level care standards.Mentorship and clinical supervision programs — establish for emerging and developing therapists, modeling expert diagnostic reasoning and manual technique within an academic or group practice setting.Organizational health outcomes — lead systematic improvement initiatives by analyzing aggregated patient data and directing evidence-based protocol updates across clinical teams.Interdisciplinary partnerships — cultivate at the executive or department-head level to integrate chiropractic and allied therapy services within broader healthcare delivery systems.Professional education curricula — author and deliver for graduate or continuing education audiences, translating complex neuromuscular science and clinical practice into rigorous instructional content.Policy and ethical standards — shape at the organizational or professional-association level by contributing expert judgment on scope-of-practice, patient safety, and clinical governance matters.Advanced technology adoption — direct the evaluation and integration of medical software, telehealth platforms, and electronic records systems to optimize clinical workflow and data integrity across a practice network.Research and scholarship — lead in the design and dissemination of clinical studies examining therapeutic intervention outcomes, contributing new knowledge to the field's evidence base.Organizational culture of patient-centered care — champion by modeling attention to detail, dependability, and integrity in all clinical and leadership decisions, setting the standard for the entire practitioner team.
Also known as
47 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Animal Assisted TherapistAnimal TherapistAromatherapistAuriculotherapistAviation Medicine SpecialistChemical Dependency TherapistChild Life TherapistClinical FellowColon TherapistCorrective and Manual Arts TherapistCorrective TherapistDoctorDoctor of OsteopathyEar SpecialistEcotherapistEducational TherapistElectrotherapistExercise ScientistHealth TherapistHeliotherapistHerb CounselorHerb DoctorHerbalistHomeopathic DoctorHydrotherapistHypnotherapistIndustrial TherapistKinesiologistKinesiotherapistMagnetic DoctorManipulative Therapy SpecialistManual Arts TherapistMedical Doctor (MD)Medical SpecialistMedicine WorkerMovement TherapistNephrologistOsteopathPeripatologistPhysical Integration Practitioner