California Median
$75,530
per year
Hourly Rate
$36.31
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-1% vs US median
US median $76,040
State Rank
#15 of 24
2,520 employed here
How much does an Acupuncturist make in California?
Acupuncturists in California take home a median of $75,530 annually — roughly $36.31 an hour — which runs 1% below the national median of $76,040.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $37,810 while the top 10% make $186,300 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $47,990 and $117,540 a year.
Acupuncturist salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,810 | $18.18 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $47,990 | $23.07 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $75,530 | $36.31 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $117,540 | $56.51 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $186,300 | $89.57 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 15th out of 24 states and territories for Acupuncturist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Acupuncturist salary in other states
Tennessee $141,430New Jersey $125,260Indiana $120,490Maryland $101,650Massachusetts $93,360Missouri $89,000New York $86,120Arizona $85,300Kentucky $85,130Wisconsin $84,820Washington $83,200Maine $83,040New Hampshire $77,470North Carolina $76,500Georgia $73,980Florida $69,990Minnesota $69,690Texas $66,530Michigan $65,490Oregon $64,870Hawaii $64,570Utah $58,620Colorado $56,950
Working as an Acupuncturist in California
Nationally, about 8,000 people work as Acupuncturists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($75,530) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Acupuncturist make in California?
The median Acupuncturist salary in California is $75,530 per year, or about $36.31 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,810 at the entry level to $186,300 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Acupuncturists about 1% less than the national median of $76,040. California ranks 15th out of 24 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Acupuncturists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $75,530 a year. About 2,520 Acupuncturists are employed in California. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Acupuncturist salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.