How to become an acupuncturist

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.

Steps to get there

Most employers expect most of these occupations require graduate school. for example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a ph.d., m.d., or j.d. (law degree)..Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

What acupuncturists do

• 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.

Skills that matter most

• Active Listening
• Critical Thinking
• Speaking
• Reading Comprehension
• Monitoring
• Writing
• Active Learning
• Learning Strategies

Is acupuncturist a good career?

On the numbers, this job pays above the typical job. Median pay is 49% above the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.

Where it pays most

• New Jersey $125,260
• Indiana $120,490
• New York $86,120
• Arizona $85,300
• Kentucky $85,130

Acupuncturists salary by state and city

Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.