| If you are an acupuncturist researching job | | | | find a stable job in the profession. I would say this |
| opportunities around the U.S., you have likely noticed | | | | varies widely, but the average is right around $40,000 |
| that there is a scarcity of options. When I graduated | | | | per year for a full-time position. I have seen some jobs |
| from acupuncture school, I searched high and low for | | | | out there paying less than this, and some paying quite |
| job openings and was absolutely shocked by the lack | | | | a bit more. |
| of resources available for newly graduated | | | | A well-established private practice can easily gross |
| acupuncturists. | | | | anywhere from $130-400,000 depending on the fee |
| This has to change! The time has come to do | | | | schedule and the patient volume. Of course, it will take |
| something about this, as it is just appalling that it many | | | | some time to hit this level of success in private |
| acupuncturists are going into debt over $100,000 from | | | | practice, but it is totally accessible... IF you learn |
| their education and are facing the sole option of | | | | business development and marketing. |
| building a private practice. | | | | When you trying to figure out if your salary is worth |
| Now, let me just be clear on this one point: I DO | | | | your time, it's helpful to break it down in a couple ways: |
| believe that the real freedom, joy, financial potential, | | | | 1. The amount earned per patient- If you take my |
| and power is found in building a successful private | | | | example above, you'll see that I was making about |
| practice. Most of this blog is dedicated to helping | | | | $8-10 for each patient treatment since I was seeing |
| practitioners do just that. Even if you find a good | | | | 3-4 patients an hour and making $30 an hour. In my |
| acupuncture job, it will still likely pale in comparison to | | | | private practice, I make $75 per patient and see the |
| benefits (financial and otherwise) of having a private | | | | same amount per hour. You do the math. Crazy |
| practice. | | | | difference, right? |
| Most salaried positions that acupuncturists can find are | | | | 2. The amount made per hour- If you are on a $40,000 |
| short-term solutions with long-term sacrifices. Building a | | | | yearly salary and you work 40 hours per week, 50 |
| private practice is just the opposite- short-term | | | | weeks out of the year, you are making $20 an hour. |
| sacrifice for long-term gain. | | | | Hey, if that works for you, no problem! But I KNOW |
| I learned this lesson the hard way back in 2001 when I | | | | that a lot of acupuncturists- if they are really honest |
| took a job in a chiropractic clinic right out of | | | | with themselves- feel like they are worth a lot more |
| acupuncture school. I was getting paid $30 per hour | | | | than this. After all, the receptionist in your office is very |
| and was initially thrilled about this, since I had never | | | | likely making close to what you are in this situation... |
| made that much before. But the harsh truth of the 'real | | | | without going through 3-5 years of school and getting |
| world' kicked in shortly thereafter and stomped on my | | | | into possibly thousands of dollars in debt. |
| naivete, as I realized that the clinic was having me see | | | | I know the information I am sharing here is harping on |
| all no fault insurance patients and billing out $250 per | | | | the pitfalls of the typical acupuncture job. I just want to |
| treatment. Given that I was seeing 3-4 patients an | | | | make sure you go into this with your eyes wide open. |
| hour, I realized that the clinic was making $500-1,000 an | | | | Now, there are good opportunities out there. I know |
| hour off of me and paying me $30 of that. | | | | that 2 of my coaching clients are currently looking to |
| Of course, this left an awful taste in my mouth, but it | | | | bring on acupuncturists and that any practitioner would |
| was really a wake up call to how business is so often | | | | be fortunate to work with these people. Let's cover a |
| conducted in our modern society. At the risk of | | | | quick list of factors that go into a good work |
| sounding cynical, it has become increasingly clear to | | | | opportunity for an acupuncturist: |
| me that most employee positions (and I am not just | | | | - the potential to be mentored by someone who is |
| speaking of the acupuncture profession here) are | | | | experienced and successful- this is truly invaluable to |
| actually well-disguised forms of slave labor where a | | | | your success as a practitioner. If you can learn directly |
| high degree of exploitation is evident when one probes | | | | from a skilled and smart practitioner, you will have a |
| even a little beneath the outward facade. | | | | huge advantage if and when you step out into your |
| This is why I am so passionate about being an | | | | own private practice. When I say 'smart', I mean from |
| entrepreneur. I have had too many jobs in my life | | | | both a clinical and entrepreneurial perspective. It is |
| where I felt limited, taken advantage of, and stifled. I | | | | worth a 50/50 split if the practitioner will teach you |
| have come to face the truth that I am psychologically | | | | through their own example how to successfully treat |
| unemployable- and I now to see that as a very good | | | | patients AND manage a thriving business. |
| thing. | | | | - aligning with someone who exudes integrity- being |
| With that being said, if you are looking for an | | | | around a business owner who is on the 'up and up' in |
| acupuncture job, I absolutely encourage you to learn | | | | all facets of their practice is really inspiring and helpful. It |
| the marketing and business building skills you will need | | | | makes you trust the reality that there are good, honest |
| to build a private practice. You can leave your name | | | | people out there in the profession... doing good work |
| and email in the field below to start getting the right | | | | and making good money. |
| foundation in this regard. | | | | - having the support of a community environment- this |
| Okay, I will get off my soapbox now and say that I do | | | | is also an invaluable benefit to the new practitioner. If |
| see it as a positive for the profession if we can get | | | | your 'boss' is willing to share case studies, co-treat |
| more jobs created for new practitioners. I realize that | | | | patients with you, and collaborate in a team setting, |
| a certain percentage of acupuncturists (perhaps the | | | | you will learn the medicine so much faster than you |
| majority) are not interested in building a private practice | | | | otherwise would. |
| and would much prefer to have patients handed to | | | | Where can you look for opportunities like these? Well, |
| them, even if it means they have to compromise in | | | | you'll find the best opportunities by doing a lot of |
| certain ways. | | | | networking, contacting wellness centers and |
| WHAT IS THE SALARY FOR THE TYPICAL | | | | chiropractors in your area, and searching through the |
| ACUPUNCTURE JOB? | | | | alumni pages on different acupuncture school |
| I get a lot of questions from new practitioners about | | | | websites. |
| how much money they can expect to make if they do | | | | Good luck and I hope you find the job of your dreams! |