Construct, maintain, or repair medical supportive devices such as braces, orthotics and prosthetic devices, joints, arch supports, and other surgical and medical appliances.
Medical Appliance Technicians
SOC: 51-9082 O*NET: 51-9082.00
Median Salary
$47,060
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 3.7%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.5
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
Construct, maintain, or repair medical supportive devices such as braces, orthotics and prosthetic devices, joints, arch supports, and other surgical and medical appliances.
What does a Medical Appliance Technicians do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$36,560
10th percentile
Early Career
$40,300
25th percentile
Median
$47,060
50th percentile
Experienced
$58,710
75th percentile
Top Earners
$74,570
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$36,560
25th
$40,300
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$47,060
Mean: $51,410
75th
$58,710
90th
$74,570
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $38,010 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $40,300 and $58,710
- •Salary spread is 39.1% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 11,490 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:12,000
Top Industries
Manufacturing62.1%
Miscellaneous Manufacturing57.9%
Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing57.9%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+3.7%
Annual Openings:1,500
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)12,000
Current
2034 (Projected)12,400
+3.7%
+400
Employment Change
+3.7%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Medical Appliance Technicians professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 38 locations
California
1,400 jobs$47,3801.04x
Florida
1,370 jobs$44,9201.87x
New York
1,130 jobs$47,3101.59x
Illinois
720 jobs$40,2301.59x
Washington
420 jobs$46,5501.58x
Arizona
410 jobs$65,0401.72x
New Jersey
410 jobs$50,6901.30x
North Carolina
410 jobs$46,7501.12x
Pennsylvania
380 jobs$51,4600.86x
Texas
360 jobs$50,4300.35x
Tennessee
330 jobs$52,1301.36x
Massachusetts
320 jobs$52,0001.16x
Colorado
310 jobs$58,3901.43x
Michigan
290 jobs$50,9500.89x
Ohio
280 jobs$46,7400.67x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Production and Processing
100%
#3
Problem Sensitivity
100%
#4
Quality Control Analysis
94%
#5
Near Vision
92%
#6
Customer and Personal Service
90%
#7
Critical Thinking
86%
#8
Oral Comprehension
82%
#9
English Language
80%
#10
Reading Comprehension
80%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Production and Processing
advanced5.0
100%
Problem Sensitivity
advanced5.0
100%
Quality Control Analysis
advanced4.7
94%
Near Vision
advanced4.6
92%
Customer and Personal Service
advanced4.5
90%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.3
86%
Oral Comprehension
intermediate4.1
82%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Production and Processing
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Problem Sensitivity
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Near Vision
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Customer and Personal Service
advancedImportance90%
knowledge
4.5/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Oral Comprehension
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
English Language
intermediateImportance80%
knowledge
4.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Troubleshooting
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Visualization
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders73%
5 shared skills
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders73%
5 shared skills
Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic73%
5 shared skills
Engine and Other Machine Assemblers70%
5 shared skills
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians67%
5 shared skills
Agricultural Inspectors67%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Production and Processing
- ✓Customer and Personal Service
- ✓English Language
Learn on the Job:
- →Operations Monitoring
- →Speaking
- →Social Perceptiveness
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Quality Control Analysis
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Production and Processing
- ✓Customer and Personal Service
- ✓English Language
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Quality Control Analysis
- ★Active Listening
- ★Production and Processing
- ★Customer and Personal Service
- ★English Language
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Medical Appliance Technicians
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Autodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Autodesk AutoCAD
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
15
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (13)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)Training & Development (1)
1
Fit appliances onto patients, and make any necessary adjustments.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Make orthotic or prosthetic devices, using materials such as thermoplastic and thermosetting materials, metal alloys and leather, and hand or power tools.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Read prescriptions or specifications to determine the type of product or device to be fabricated and the materials and tools required.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Repair, modify, or maintain medical supportive devices, such as artificial limbs, braces, or surgical supports, according to specifications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping91% perform94%
5
Instruct patients in use of prosthetic or orthotic devices.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development88% perform92%
6
Take patients' body or limb measurements for use in device construction.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Construct or receive casts or impressions of patients' torsos or limbs for use as cutting and fabrication patterns.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Bend, form, and shape fabric or material to conform to prescribed contours of structural components.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Drill and tap holes for rivets, and glue, weld, bolt, or rivet parts together to form prosthetic or orthotic devices.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Lay out and mark dimensions of parts, using templates and precision measuring instruments.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •47% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Medical Appliance Technicians
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Medical Appliance Technicians professionals typically have a RIC Holland code and highly value relationships
RRealistic
IInvestigative
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Medical Appliance Technicians
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.20
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.06
Concern for Others
Very ImportantConcern for Others
Importance Level4.01
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.91
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.89
Innovation
ImportantInnovation
Importance Level3.85
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.2
Dependability
4.1
Concern for Others
4.0
Cooperation
3.9
Integrity
3.9
Innovation
3.9
Analytical Thinking
3.8
Achievement/Effort
3.7
Initiative
3.7
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.7
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Medical Appliance Technicians.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Medical Appliance Technicians
Top trade colleges by completions in fields that prepare students for this career.
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN
2.3k program completions/year
Texas State Technical College
Waco, TX
1.2k program completions/year
Tulsa Welding School-Houston
Houston, TX
1.2k program completions/year
Tulsa Welding School-Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL
984 program completions/year
South Florida Institute of Technology
Miami, FL
891 program completions/year
SOWELA Technical Community College
Lake Charles, LA
870 program completions/year
Bluegrass Community and Technical College
Lexington, KY
821 program completions/year
Refrigeration School Inc
Phoenix, AZ
781 program completions/year
Stark State College
North Canton, OH
731 program completions/year
River Parishes Community College
Gonzales, LA
695 program completions/year
Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, NC
679 program completions/year
Lee College
Baytown, TX
601 program completions/year
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