AOM Career Outlook
Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (AHM) are increasingly being recognized as effective treatments for a variety of conditions. A national consortium to promote integrative health now counts more than 70 academic centers and health systems as members. Many prestigious medical centers including the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Integrative Medicine, Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, Johns Hopkins Integrative Medicine and Digestive Center, and Duke University Medical Center currently offer Oriental medicine and other complementary and alternative medicine as treatments to their patients.
“AHM is one of the most requested forms of treatment in the fast-growing field of complementary and alternative medicine and holds promise as one of the key modalities to be used in current and future integrative medical settings. A 2005 Institute of Medicine report noted the widespread use of complementary and alternative medicine in the United States, with patients making more visits to complementary and alternative medicine practitioners than to primary care physicians.” From Explore Health Careers (2018)
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) forecasts that employment in healthcare diagnosing and treatment occupations is projected to grow 10.3 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. Healthcare occupations are projected to add more jobs than any of the other occupational groups.
AHM practitioners can:
- Treat patients effectively and holistically with a wide variety of healing skills that focus on physical, mental, and emotional well-being
- Run their own business or work as an associate in a group or integrative practice
- Prescribe traditional herbal medicine to patients, if they have a degree in oriental medicine, which gives them a wider scope of treatment options than an acupuncturist.
According to the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, there are approximately 20,000-25,000 AHM licensees throughout the United States, and yet, only 115 licensed OMDs are practicing in the state of Nevada. While current data concerning the income of these practitioners nationwide is not available, recent estimates have suggested an annual starting salary range of $40,000-$80,000 and it is not uncommon for practitioners to earn more than this amount.
AHM practitioners can create lucrative careers with flexible work schedules that are rewarding on many levels. AHM careers often allow you to choose your frequency of patients, offering a more balanced work and personal life. AHM practitioners are also able to spend more time developing a collaborative relationship with patients, assisting them in maintaining their health and promoting a healthy lifestyle.
