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Healthcare

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.

Annual openings

27

Median wage

$56,950

Typical education

You will need to graduate from an accredited program in acupuncture or Oriental medicine.

Growth 2026–2032

+12%

Median wage source: Colorado BLS OEWS (2025).

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Career requirements

What does this career require?

Explore education, required qualifications, voluntary credentials and employer preferences for this role. Check the details to see which apply.

Typical education

You will need to graduate from an accredited program in acupuncture or Oriental medicine.

Credential requirement

To practice, you will need to receive an Acupuncturist license, which will include a certification from the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

Work experience

This can be entry-level, but it could be an additional step on a career pathway.

For more information visit the Acupuncture Association of Colorado.

Is this work a fit?

What the work actually feels like

How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.

Work style

The type of work can vary by job and employer.

  • With childrenNo
  • On a computerNo
  • OutdoorsNo
  • With your handsYes

Interests it draws on

  • Holistic Development
  • Expressive Therapies

Automation exposure

Low exposure

Tasks here lean on judgement and people skills that are hard to automate.

A typical day

  1. Maintain and follow standard quality, safety, environmental, and infection control policies and procedures.
  2. Treat patients using tools, such as needles, cups, ear balls, seeds, pellets, or nutritional supplements.
  3. Adhere to local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and statutes.
  4. 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.
  5. Develop individual treatment plans and strategies.
  6. Insert needles to provide acupuncture treatment.
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