Naturopaths

While the U.S. Department of Labor does not provide specific information on the employment outlook for naturopathic physicians, it does project overall employment in the field of health care occupations to grow much faster than the average through 2033.

As public interest in alternative health care grows, many health-conscious individuals are attracted to naturopathy because of its natural, holistic, preventive approach. Additionally, the average life span is increasing. As a result, the number of older people is also growing. The elderly frequently have more health care needs, and the growth of this segment of the population is likely to increase the demand for N.D.'s who provide personalized and attentive care. Another sign that the future is bright for naturopaths is the growing number of insurance policies that provide coverage for alternative health care services. Coverage still varies according to the insurer, but in states where N.D.'s are licensed, more companies are paying for their services.

All of these factors should contribute to steady employment of naturopathic physicians. While the demand for naturopathy is increasing, college enrollments are also growing. New N.D.'s may find increasing competition in geographic areas where other practitioners are already located.