Also called: Licensed Acupuncturist, LAc
Inserts very thin needles at specific points on the body to relieve pain and other symptoms, rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Asks a patient about their pain, sleep, and stress, checks their pulse and tongue, then places a dozen hair-thin needles and lets them rest. Some work in hospitals and VA clinics for pain management.
Estimate based on BLS acupuncturists.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Master's degree, about 7 years after high school. Master's degree in acupuncture or Oriental medicine (3-4 years) plus national board exams.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school, Certification. Training cost: $60k – $150k.
Majors to look at: Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine, Biology.
Growing faster than average. Growing as insurers and the VA cover acupuncture for pain.
Low risk for 10 years. AI can help with charting and booking; placing needles, reading a patient's response and building trust stay hands-on.
Classes: Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, Chemistry, Mandarin (helpful).
Official data: O*NET occupation 29-1291.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.