Actually, when I was graduating we had the same question, as well as questions about whether it was financially ok to get a second Chinese Medicine degree.

The survey that NCNM published for us was that the average income for full time practitioners was $60k for the first five years. This is generally looked at as the period of time to establish a practice. After the first five years, the average income for full time practitioners was in the $110k range, while the dual degree NDs made about $120k. Realize that this was income, without calculating office expenses, etc. After taking into account everything, I figure that NDs on average take home between $40-$60k a year, which puts them at about half the take home pay of MDs. Not a financial incentive to go alternative, but enough to pay off the loans eventually.

Chris Maloney Portland Maine www.maloneymedical.com