Naturopathic Physicians

Diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases using a system of practice that is based on the natural healing capacity of individuals. May use physiological, psychological or mechanical methods. May also use natural medicines, prescription or legend drugs, foods, herbs, or other natural remedies.

From people doing the work

As a naturopathic physician, every day is about digging deep to understand the whole person, seeing patients reclaim their health naturally is very. It requires continuous learning and a strong belief in the body's innate healing capacity.

Drawn from American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP), Academic Collaborative for Integrative Health (ACIH), Naturopathic Medicine Institute (NMI), Online forums and discussions among naturopathic professionals

Attribution: Composite

Composite · Synthesised from American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP), Academic Collaborative for Integrative Health (ACIH), Naturopathic Medicine Institute (NMI), Online forums and discussions among naturopathic professionals

A day in the life of a Naturopathic Physician

People interaction
Extensive
Team vs solo
65% Team / 35% Solo
Client facing
Frequent
Impact visibility
High
Travel
Minimal
Schedule flexibility
Rigid
Remote work
On-site Only
Typical work hours
40-60
Stress level
High

Naturopathic Physicians salary, education and outlook at a glance

Median salary
$78,140
Entry-level
$47,000
Senior
$141,000
Growth by 2033
+6.8%
Demand
Stable
Freelance potential
Low
Salary growth potential
200%
Typical student debt
Very High

Skills you need as a Naturopathic Physician

Hard skills

  • Medicine and Dentistry
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Biology

Soft skills

  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Active Listening

Technical complexity: Low

Tools of the trade

Core tools

  • Herbal and Nutritional Supplements (Standard): To provide natural remedies and support patient health through dietary and botanical interventions.
  • Electronic Health Record (EHR) Systems (Software): To manage patient medical records, appointments, billing, and clinical documentation efficiently.
  • Diagnostic Imaging and Lab Testing Equipment (Hardware): To aid in diagnosing conditions and monitoring patient progress through various medical tests.
  • Nutraceuticals and Amino Acids (Standard): To address specific nutritional deficiencies and support physiological functions for therapeutic outcomes.

Commonly used

  • Practice Management Software (Software): To streamline administrative tasks, marketing, patient communication, and business operations for a naturopathic practice.
  • Patient Engagement Platforms (e.g., Fullscript) (Platform): To facilitate interactive wellness plans and collaborative patient engagement in their health journey.

Specialist tools

  • Optimal DX Software (Software): To rapidly assess physiological dysfunction and generate clear, understandable reports for patients.

How to become a Naturopathic Physician

Minimum education
Doctoral Degree
Licensing
Yes
Years to mid-career
4-8
Years to senior
10-15
Career switching
Hard

Where this career leads

How people arrive here

  • Registered Nurse: Nurses with a holistic interest may pursue further education to become naturopathic physicians.
  • Dietitian/Nutritionist: Professionals focused on nutrition often expand their scope to naturopathic medicine for a broader healing approach.
  • Chiropractor: Chiropractors may transition to naturopathic medicine to integrate a wider range of natural therapies.
  • Massage Therapist: Those in bodywork may seek naturopathic training to address underlying health issues more comprehensively.

Where you can go from here

  • Integrative Medicine Physician: Naturopathic physicians often advance to roles that integrate conventional and complementary therapies.
  • Functional Medicine Practitioner: Many naturopathic doctors specialize in functional medicine, focusing on root causes of disease.
  • Health Coach: Naturopathic physicians may transition to health coaching, leveraging their knowledge for patient guidance.
  • Medical Researcher: Some naturopathic physicians pursue research to contribute to the evidence base of natural medicine.
  • Educator/Professor of Naturopathic Medicine: Experienced naturopathic physicians often move into academic roles to train future practitioners.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Naturopathic Physicians
  2. Naturopathic Physicians
  3. or General Internal Medicine Physicians

Naturopathic Physicians job outlook and future demand

Automation probability
Low
AI disruption risk
Low
Demand trend
Stable

Job satisfaction as a Naturopathic Physician

Overall satisfaction
7.5/10
Meaning
9/10
Work-life balance
5.5/10
Prestige
9/10
Social perception
Very High

Where practitioners gather

Professional organisations

Podcasts and media

Online communities

Careers similar to Naturopathic Physicians