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Healthcare

Acupuncturists

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.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Acupuncturists
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Median pay

$78,140
Median annual pay for Acupuncturists.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

6.8%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

900
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

15,300
Estimated U.S. employment for Acupuncturists in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+1,000
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

Master's degree
Typical education needed to enter Acupuncturists.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Critical Thinking
  3. 3Speaking
  4. 4Monitoring
  5. 5Reading Comprehension
  6. 6Active Learning

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Customer and Personal Service
  2. 2Medicine and Dentistry
  3. 3Psychology
  4. 4Biology
  5. 5English Language
  6. 6Administrative

Abilities

  1. 1Deductive Reasoning
  2. 2Near Vision
  3. 3Oral Comprehension
  4. 4Oral Expression
  5. 5Problem Sensitivity
  6. 6Written Comprehension

Career interests

  1. 1Social
  2. 2Investigative
  3. 3Realistic
  4. 4Conventional
  5. 5Artistic
  6. 6Enterprising

Work styles

  1. 1Attention to Detail
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Empathy
  4. 4Cautiousness
  5. 5Integrity
  6. 6Sincerity

Work activities

  1. 1Assisting and Caring for Others
  2. 2Documenting/Recording Information
  3. 3Getting Information
  4. 4Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
  5. 5Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  6. 6Performing for or Working Directly with the Public

Work context

  1. 1Physical Proximity
  2. 2Freedom to Make Decisions
  3. 3Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
  4. 4Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  5. 5E-Mail
  6. 6Contact With Others

Representative tasks

  • 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.

Software and tools

Microsoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft Office software · hot technologyMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyMicrosoft Windows · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyAcuPartner ProfessionalElectronic health record EHR softwareMiridia Technology AcuGraphQchartQpalm AcupunctureQPuncture IITrigram Software AcuBase Pro

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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