Natural Health Degree and
Alternative Medicine Salary
Learn Your Salary Potential In The Wellness Industry
Alternative Medicine Schools | Natural Healers Career Resource Center
| | The ongoing wellness boom across the United States makes now an ideal time to join the thriving natural health and alternative medicine field. With a natural health degree, you can enjoy a highly flexible career and a decent alternative medicine salary—not to mention the opportunity to transform your alternative medicine practice into an independent business. The high demand for qualified natural health practitioners has spread throughout the spa and wellness industry as well as into mainstream medicine. Wellness centers that integrate Western medicine and natural health practices have been popping up across the country in response to the |
Knowing jobs are out there for natural health professionals is one thing; discovering your alternative medicine salary potential is another. Of course, salary reflects only one aspect of your natural health career choice. But it can help you map out a number of other financial issues surrounding your future—including where you might want to live and your natural health school options.
Read on for more alternative medicine salary information, and learn which natural health field matches your career and salary goals.
Massage Therapist Salary
Your massage therapist salary depends primarily on one factor—you. Because the profession offers a high level of flexibility, you can choose to practice just a few hours per week or operate on a full-time schedule.
In general, massage therapists charge an hourly massage rate, a portion of which goes toward their business operating costs or to their employer. Additionally, tips usually account for approximately 15 to 20 percent of massage therapist salary, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) reports that a massage therapist who worked 15 hours a week in 2008 earned an average annual salary of $31,500, including tips. And 2009 data from Salary.com shows that the top median massage therapist salaries reach over $55,000 per year.
Get more massage therapist salary information.
Chiropractor Salary
Chiropractors typically work in private practice, which means their salary grows along with their business. And the ones who work for themselves tend to earn a higher chiropractor salary than the ones who work for an employer.
According to April 2009 data from Salary.com, the median chiropractor salary is $85,273. At the 25th percentile, they earn a median annual income of $68,791; those at the 75th percentile make $103,218 per year.
Get more chiropractor salary information.
Acupuncturist Salary
Acupuncture, an ancient Chinese medicine technique, has gained significant popularity in mainstream society as a natural and effective means to treat a number of illnesses, including respiratory disorders, digestive issues, food allergies, circulatory disorders and addictions.
Statistics compiled in June 2010 at PayScale.com indicate that acupuncturist salaries for new practitioners range from $30,000 to $45,000 annually. After five to 10 years of practicing, your acupuncturist salary can increase to approximately $60,000 per year. Beyond that, seasoned acupuncturists with a steady clientele can make up to $74,000.
Get more acupuncture salary information.
Aromatherapist Salary
Typically, aromatherapy is a practice incorporated into other natural healing methods, including massage therapy, acupuncture and reflexology. You will also find aromatherapists teaching courses on their practice and running essential oil shops.
The career path you choose will greatly influence your aromatherapist salary. According to The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA), aromatherapists can earn from $15,000 to $45,000 a year, depending on their practice.
Doula and Midwife Salary
Midwives and doulas play important supportive roles during a client's pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. In general, the primary difference between the two occupations is that midwives receive the training necessary to safely deliver babies, whereas a doula's primary responsibility during childbirth is to support the mother emotionally and facilitate her comfort.
Doulas typically work in private practice, at hospitals or through community volunteer programs. According to Simply Hired, doulas earn an average annual income of $46,000.
Midwives come in two categories:
- Certified nurse-midwives who are educated in nursing and midwifery.
- Direct-entry midwives who focus their education on midwifery alone.
A 2010 salary survey conducted by the Salary.com shows that the median certified nurse-midwife salary range is $82,866 to $97,985 a year.
Personal Trainer Salary
As you might imagine, personal training involves more than just counting reps. To succeed in the industry, you must be knowledgeable about personal health, sports nutrition, injury prevention and managing stress. Plus, exercising some exceptional interpersonal communication skills will help you build a healthy client base.
Trainers may charge anywhere from $25 to $200 per hour, depending on where they work and their clientele. The BLS reports that personal trainer salaries range from $25,500 to $65,000 a year. Personal trainer salaries can reach much higher levels for successful, self-employed practitioners.
Get more personal trainer salary information.
Other Top Alternative Medicine Salaries
Along with the alternative medicine professions previously mentioned, you can earn your natural health degree in a number of other fields that provide strong earning potential, as reflected in the table below.
Keep in mind that many natural health careers lend themselves well to private practice or self-employment. This can result in a wide salary range where those on the low end might be just starting to practice or are working a part-time schedule.
| Holistic Field | Annual Salary | Source: |
| Colonic Therapy | $45,000 | SimplyHired.com, 2005-2009 |
| Feng Shui Consulting | $64,000 | SimplyHired.com, 2005-2009 |
| Herbal Medicine | $25,000 to 45,000 | PayScale.com, 2009 |
| Homeopathy | $43,000 | SimplyHired.com, 2005-2009 |
| Naturopathic Medicine | $20,000 to 90,000 | AANMC, 2002-2009 |
| Nutrition | $53,230 | Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2009 |
| Reflexology | $30,000 | MedicalCareerTraining.com, 2007 |
| Reiki Healing | $18,000 to $70,000 | Salary.com, 2009 |
| Yoga Instruction | $43,000 to $61,000 | Indeed.com, 2009 |
Make Your Living Helping Others Live Well
Earning a natural health degree will provide you with the training and education necessary to start a thriving career helping clients achieve optimal wellness. If that isn't enough, alternative medicine salaries aren't bad either. Good pay, exceptional job opportunities and a personal approach to health—the perfect combination for a prosperous and rewarding career.
Sources:
Massage Therapy –
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2009
- American Massage Therapy Association, 2009
- Salary.com
- Salary.com, 2009
- PayScale.com, 2010
- PayScale.com, 2009
- National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA), 2009
- Dona International, 2005
- SimplyHired.com, 2005-2009
- Salary.com, 2010
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2009
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