NOC 2021 · 31201 · TEER 1
NOC 31201: Chiropractors
Official NOC 2021, Job Bank and IRCC data · checked 21 October 2026
Chiropractors assess, diagnose, treat and prevent patients' neuromuscular-skeletal disorders of the spine, nervous system, pelvis and other body joints using corrective manipulation including spinal column adjustments, or other complementary therapies. They are usually in private practice or in clinics with other health practitioners.
TEER
TEER 1
Usually needs a university degree
Median wage (Canada)
$62,000 / year
Job Bank, 2021
High-wage tier (from 3 Nov 2026)
Not on the list
No high-wage CRS points
Express Entry categories
Healthcare and social services
Category-based draws (2026)
Express Entry
How NOC 31201 counts for Express Entry
- Federal Skilled Worker: eligible occupationNeeds 1 year of continuous skilled (TEER 0–3) work in the last 10 years and 67 points on the FSW grid.
- Canadian Experience Class: eligible occupationNeeds 1 year of skilled (TEER 0–3) work in Canada in the last 3 years.
- Federal Skilled Trades: not eligibleNeeds 2 years of work in an eligible trade group in the last 5 years, plus a job offer or a Canadian certificate of qualification.
High-wage CRS points
NOC 31201 is not one of IRCC's 186 high-wage occupations, so Canadian work or a job offer in it earns no high-wage points. Your usual Canadian work-length points still count.
See all 186 high-wage occupationsCategory-based draws
- Healthcare and social services
At least 12 months of full-time work experience (or equal part-time) in the past 3 years in one listed occupation, plus Express Entry eligibility and the round instructions.
IRCC category listsDuties
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Conduct patient interviews and take medical histories
- Conduct an examination including postural assessment, range of motion tests, neurological and orthopedic examination, and palpation of joints and soft tissues
- Prescribe and/or perform X-rays and other imaging and tests as required to diagnose patient's condition
- Diagnose neuromuscular-skeletal disorders of the spinal column, pelvis, extremities and associated tissues
- Define and implement a treatment plan including spinal and joint adjustment or manipulations, soft tissue work and/or the use of complementary therapies; such as electrotherapy, acupuncture, heat therapy and massage.
- Communicate and collaborate with other health care professionals
- Advise patients on alternate treatment modalities such as corrective exercises, posture, nutritional and lifestyle counselling, that have positive effects on the spine, joints, muscles and nervous system
- Refer patients to other health care professionals when appropriate.
For Express Entry, your experience must match the lead statement and most of these duties, not only the job title.
Job titles
Example job titles
- chiropractor
All 2 job titles in NOC 31201
- chiropractor
- doctor of chiropractic (DC)
Requirements
Employment requirements
- A minimum of three years of university undergraduate studies or in Quebec, completion of a college diploma in natural science is required.
- Completion of a four or five year program at an Accredited Doctor of Chiropractic Education Programme is required.
- Successful completion of the national examinations by the Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board is required to qualify to become licensed by a provincial or territorial body.
- Licensing by a regulatory body is required in all provinces and in Yukon.
Additional information
- The scope of practice of chiropractors varies by province.
This occupation may be regulated in some provinces. You may need a licence or certificate from the provincial regulator before you can work in it in Canada, even if you hold permanent residence.
Wages
Wages for NOC 31201 in Canada
Low, median and high wages per year in Canadian dollars, from ESDC Job Bank's 2025 wage data. This occupation is reported at an annual rate.
| Region | Low | Median | High | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $32,867 | $62,000 | $138,000 | 2021 Census, 2021 |
| Nova Scotia | — | $65,000 | — | 2021 Census, 2021 |
| New Brunswick | — | $62,400 | — | 2021 Census, 2021 |
| Quebec | $33,109 | $68,000 | $140,000 | 2021 Census, 2021 |
| Ontario | $37,561 | $61,200 | $137,000 | 2021 Census, 2021 |
| Manitoba | — | $91,000 | — | 2021 Census, 2021 |
| Saskatchewan | — | $57,200 | — | 2021 Census, 2021 |
| Alberta | $32,867 | $53,600 | $134,000 | 2021 Census, 2021 |
| British Columbia | $37,929 | $60,000 | $130,000 | 2021 Census, 2021 |
Provinces with too little data are not shown. Wages vary by city and employer; see Job Bank for regional figures.
Job outlook
Job outlook by province, 2025–2027
Job Bank rates the 3-year outlook as good or very good in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta.
GoodOntario
The employment outlook will be Good for chiropractors (NOC 31201) in Ontario for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
What Types of Employers Are Out There?
The majority of chiropractors are self-employed in offices of chiropractors and physiotherapists
What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?
The demand for health care is expected to grow as the proportion of seniors in Ontario is projected to increase
The incidence of injuries and need for treatment of chronic and acute pain rises with aging
Increased focus on supporting alternative approaches to managing acute or chronic pain may further increase demand for chiropractors
Employment growth in this occupation is partly dependent on consumers’ ability to pay the full or partial cost of treatment
What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?
The chiropractic profession is regulated by the College of Chiropractors of Ontario (CCO)
Chiropractors must be registered with the CCO to practise in Ontario.
Here are some key facts about chiropractors in Ontario:
Approximately 4,000 people work in this occupation.
Chiropractors mainly work in the following sectors:
Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 94%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 78% compared to 81% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 22% compared to 19% for all occupations
44% of chiropractors work all year, while 56% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 43 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
86% of chiropractors are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 57% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 42% compared to 48% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 25% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 22% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 19% compared to 24% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 76% compared to 13% for all occupations
GoodManitoba
The employment outlook will be Good for chiropractors (NOC 31201) in Manitoba for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about chiropractors in Manitoba:
Approximately 300 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Chiropractors mainly work in the following sectors:
Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): more than 95%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 86% compared to 81% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 14% compared to 19% for all occupations
66% of chiropractors work all year, while 34% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 48 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
84% of chiropractors are self-employed compared to an average of 12% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 73% compared to 53% for all occupations
Women: 27% compared to 47% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: n/a
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 17% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 15% compared to 20% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 82% compared to 8% for all occupations
GoodSaskatchewan
The employment outlook will be Good for chiropractors (NOC 31201) in Saskatchewan for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about chiropractors in Saskatchewan:
Approximately 250 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Chiropractors mainly work in the following sectors:
Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): more than 95%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 72% compared to 81% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 28% compared to 19% for all occupations
43% of chiropractors work all year, while 56% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 45 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
More than 95% of chiropractors are self-employed compared to an average of 16% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 55% compared to 53% for all occupations
Women: 45% compared to 47% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: n/a
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a
bachelor's degree: 17% compared to 18% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 74% compared to 7% for all occupations
GoodAlberta
The employment outlook will be Good for chiropractors (NOC 31201) in Alberta for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Alberta’s population and its proportion of residents aged 65+ are predicted to increase over the next decade, contributing to demand for this occupation.
Alberta’s Budget 2025 allocates $28 billion for health services in 2025-26, an increase of $1.4 billion or 5.4% from 2024-25 across the refocused health care system.
The 2025 budget also includes a total of $3.6 billion in capital funding over three years to expand and improve health facilities and services across the system.
Here are some key facts about chiropractors in Alberta:
Approximately 1,150 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Chiropractors mainly work in the following sectors:
Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): more than 95%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 83% compared to 80% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 17% compared to 20% for all occupations
50% of chiropractors work all year, while 50% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 46 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
88% of chiropractors are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 69% compared to 53% for all occupations
Women: 31% compared to 47% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 28% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 19% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 12% compared to 21% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 81% compared to 9% for all occupations
ModerateNova Scotia
The employment outlook will be Moderate for chiropractors (NOC 31201) in Nova Scotia for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
Here are some key facts about chiropractors in Nova Scotia:
Approximately 250 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Chiropractors mainly work in the following sectors:
Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): more than 95%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 82% compared to 82% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 18% compared to 18% for all occupations
48% of chiropractors work all year, while 52% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 45 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
89% of chiropractors are self-employed compared to an average of 11% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 56% compared to 51% for all occupations
Women: 43% compared to 49% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: n/a
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a
bachelor's degree: 21% compared to 20% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 79% compared to 10% for all occupations
ModerateQuebec
The employment outlook will be Moderate for chiropractors (NOC 31201) in Quebec for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.
Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about chiropractors in Quebec:
Approximately 1,700 people work in this occupation.
Chiropractors mainly work in the following sectors:
Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): more than 95%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 78% compared to 82% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 22% compared to 18% for all occupations
47% of chiropractors work all year, while 53% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 43 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
93% of chiropractors are self-employed compared to an average of 12% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 49% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 51% compared to 48% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: n/a
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 22% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 17% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: more than 95% compared to 11% for all occupations
ModerateBritish Columbia
The employment outlook will be Moderate for chiropractors (NOC 31201) in British Columbia for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about chiropractors in British Columbia:
Approximately 1,550 people work in this occupation.
Chiropractors mainly work in the following sectors:
Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): more than 95%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 74% compared to 78% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 26% compared to 22% for all occupations
45% of chiropractors work all year, while 55% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 44 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
88% of chiropractors are self-employed compared to an average of 17% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 66% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 34% compared to 48% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 28% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 7% compared to 17% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 11% compared to 22% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 80% compared to 12% for all occupations
UndeterminedNewfoundland and Labrador
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedPrince Edward Island
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedNew Brunswick
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedNorthwest Territories
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedNunavut
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
Source: ESDC Job Bank, 3-year employment outlooks 2025–2027 (released December 2025).
Provinces
Provincial Nominee Programs
A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points. Most provinces run occupation-targeted draws or in-demand lists, and some accept TEER 4 and 5 occupations that Express Entry does not.
Provincial lists change often, sometimes between draws. We check whether NOC 31201 is being targeted by any province as part of a consultation.
Similar occupations
Related NOC codes
Classified elsewhere
If your duties fit one of these better, use that code instead.
- 33109 Other assisting occupations in support of health services
Same occupation group
Therapy and assessment professionals
- 31200 Psychologists
- 31202 Physiotherapists
- 31203 Occupational therapists
- 31204 Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment
- 31209 Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating
Questions
NOC 31201: common questions
What is the NOC code for chiropractors?
What TEER category is NOC 31201?
Is NOC 31201 eligible for Express Entry?
Is NOC 31201 a high-wage occupation for Express Entry?
Is NOC 31201 eligible for category-based Express Entry draws?
What is the median wage for NOC 31201 in Canada?
Classification
Where it sits in NOC 2021
- 3Health occupationsBroad Category
- 31Professional occupations in healthMajor Group
- 312Therapy and assessment professionalsSub-major Group
- 3120Therapy and assessment professionalsMinor Group
- 31201Chiropractors
Enquiry
Is NOC 31201 your occupation? Ask us about your options.
Tell us your duties, experience and language scores. We will confirm your NOC code and the Canadian routes that fit.
Sources: Statistics Canada, NOC 2021 Version 1.0, Job Bank wages (2025), Job Bank outlooks 2025–2027 and IRCC. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Checked 21 October 2026.
NOC 2026 is due from Statistics Canada in December 2026. IRCC still uses NOC 2021 codes, and this page will show any change once IRCC switches.
This page is general information, not immigration advice. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Government of Canada, IRCC or ESDC.
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