Herbalists

Earnings vary according to an herbalist's specialty. For self-employed herbalists, income is usually closely related to the number of hours worked and the rates charged.

Salary.com reports that herbalists earned average salaries of $61,755 in November 2024. Earnings ranged from $41,225 to $89,391 or more. Fifty percent of herbalists earned between $51,009 and $76,221.

Glassdoor.com reported the median annual salary for doctors of Oriental medicine (including those with expertise in herbalism) was $145,703 in 2024, with salaries ranging from $109,000 to $203,000 or more.

Naturopaths earned average salaries of $70,751 in 2024, according to PayScale.com. Earnings ranged from $39,000 to $149,000. A well-established naturopath can potentially make up to $200,000 a year.

Some herbalists and naturopaths take teaching positions in order to secure stable incomes. Postsecondary health specialties teachers earned median annual salaries of $105,650 in May 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Earnings ranged from less than $52,300 to $172,990 or more.

In manufacturing and retail positions, beginning earnings range from $35,000 to $40,000. Mid-level wages are generally from $40,000 to $70,000, and highly skilled, experienced individuals earn from $70,000 to $200,000.

Like other self-employed individuals, herbalists in private practice must provide their own insurance, vacation, and retirement benefits. Herbalists who are employed in industry, at universities, or as researchers generally receive some benefits, such as health insurance, sick pay and vacation pay, and contributions to retirement funds.