Design, measure, fit, and adapt orthopedic braces, appliances or prostheses, such as limbs or facial parts for patients with disabling conditions.
Orthotists and Prosthetists
SOC: 29-2091 O*NET: 29-2091.00
Median Salary
$78,310
per year
Job Growth
🚀 13.3%
Much Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.9
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Job Zone 5
Design, measure, fit, and adapt orthopedic braces, appliances or prostheses, such as limbs or facial parts for patients with disabling conditions.
What does a Orthotists and Prosthetists do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$46,220
10th percentile
Early Career
$59,990
25th percentile
Median
$78,310
50th percentile
Experienced
$98,880
75th percentile
Top Earners
$118,730
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$46,220
25th
$59,990
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$78,310
Mean: $81,330
75th
$98,880
90th
$118,730
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $72,510 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $59,990 and $98,880
- •Salary spread is 49.7% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 9,930 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
High Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:10,100
Top Industries
Ambulatory Health Care Services32.3%
Miscellaneous Manufacturing28.4%
Manufacturing28.4%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+13.3%
Annual Openings:900
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)10,100
Current
2034 (Projected)11,500
+13.3%
+1,300
Employment Change
+13.3%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Faster than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Orthotists and Prosthetists professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 45 locations
California
1,370 jobs$91,8701.17x
Pennsylvania
570 jobs$80,3601.47x
North Carolina
460 jobs$76,2701.45x
Washington
420 jobs$90,2401.85x
New York
410 jobs$79,1800.67x
Ohio
410 jobs$62,5101.15x
Texas
400 jobs$82,3200.44x
Michigan
400 jobs$75,9101.43x
Florida
350 jobs$64,7300.56x
Missouri
310 jobs$78,0801.63x
Massachusetts
240 jobs$86,5101.03x
Georgia
190 jobs$76,8900.62x
New Jersey
180 jobs$110,7600.64x
New Hampshire
180 jobs$82,7204.13x
Virginia
180 jobs$79,9700.68x
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
- •Faster than average growth expected
- •High current market demand
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Writing
100%
#2
Critical Thinking
94%
#3
Active Listening
86%
#4
Reading Comprehension
80%
#5
Speaking
74%
#6
Complex Problem Solving
66%
#7
Active Learning
60%
#8
Social Perceptiveness
54%
#9
Service Orientation
46%
#10
Monitoring
40%
Skills Overview
Writing
advanced5.0
100%
Critical Thinking
advanced4.7
94%
Active Listening
intermediate4.3
86%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.0
80%
Speaking
intermediate3.7
74%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.3
66%
Active Learning
intermediate3.0
60%
Social Perceptiveness
basic2.7
54%
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:
Writing
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Active Learning
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Service Orientation
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Acupuncturists82%
5 shared skills
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers82%
5 shared skills
Urologists82%
5 shared skills
Physician Assistants82%
5 shared skills
Archivists82%
5 shared skills
Audiologists82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Writing
- ✓Active Listening
Learn on the Job:
- →Social Perceptiveness
- →Complex Problem Solving
- →Active Learning
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Writing
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Critical Thinking
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Writing
- ★Active Listening
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Speaking
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 Orthotists and Prosthetists
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Intuit QuickBooks
🔥 Hot TechAutodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Intuit QuickBooks
Autodesk AutoCAD
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft PowerPoint
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
HIGH
👥
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 high 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 (8)Analysis & Evaluation (1)Training & Development (1)Planning & Development (2)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)Management & Supervision (2)
1
Examine, interview, and measure patients to determine their appliance needs and to identify factors that could affect appliance fit.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Fit, test, and evaluate devices on patients, and make adjustments for proper fit, function, and comfort.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation97% perform98%
3
Instruct patients in the use and care of orthoses and prostheses.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development94% perform96%
4
Design orthopedic and prosthetic devices, based on physicians' prescriptions and examination and measurement of patients.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development91% perform94%
5
Maintain patients' records.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping88% perform92%
6
Make and modify plaster casts of areas to be fitted with prostheses or orthoses to guide the device construction process.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Select materials and components to be used, based on device design.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development82% perform88%
8
Confer with physicians to formulate specifications and prescriptions for orthopedic or prosthetic devices.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Repair, rebuild, and modify prosthetic and orthopedic appliances.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Construct and fabricate appliances, or supervise others constructing the appliances.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Management & Supervision73% 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 Orthotists and Prosthetists
💡 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?
Orthotists and Prosthetists professionals typically have a RIS Holland code and highly value relationships
RRealistic
IInvestigative
SSocial
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Orthotists and Prosthetists
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.71
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.67
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.62
Concern for Others
CriticalConcern for Others
Importance Level4.52
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.48
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.14
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.7
Integrity
4.7
Attention to Detail
4.6
Concern for Others
4.5
Cooperation
4.5
Self-Control
4.1
Analytical Thinking
4.1
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.1
Stress Tolerance
4.0
Independence
4.0
💡 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
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 5
Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Training:
Extensive training and work experience required
💼 Experience Requirement
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Master's or doctoral degree
- • Extensive work experience in the field
- • State licensure or professional certification
5
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Master's or doctoral degreeExtensive work experience in the fieldState licensure or professional certification
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Orthotists and Prosthetists.
Browse Training Programs →