Orthotists and Prosthetists
Design, measure, fit, and adapt orthopedic braces, appliances or prostheses, such as limbs or facial parts for patients with disabling conditions.
Also called: Certified Orthotist (CO) · Certified Pedorthist · Certified Prosthetist (CP) · Certified Prosthetist Orthotist (CPO) · Licensed Orthotist · LPO (Licensed Prosthetist Orthotist)
Median pay (national)
$78,310
$46,220–$118,730 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
9,930
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+13.3%
~900 openings/yr
Typical entry
Master's degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for orthotists and prosthetists shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $118,730 versus $46,220 at the bottom 10% — 2.6x. The median of $78,310 leaves roughly 52% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +13.3% from 2024 to 2034 — much faster than the 3% average for all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 900 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 45 states with released data, New Jersey pays the most for this role (median $110,760, +41% vs the national median), while Wyoming sits lowest at $39,000 — a 184% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Writing as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Fit, test, and evaluate devices on patients, and make adjustments for proper fit, function, and comfort.
- Instruct patients in the use and care of orthoses and prostheses.
- Maintain patients' records.
- Examine, interview, and measure patients to determine their appliance needs and to identify factors that could affect appliance fit.
- Select materials and components to be used, based on device design.
- Design orthopedic and prosthetic devices, based on physicians' prescriptions and examination and measurement of patients.
- Repair, rebuild, and modify prosthetic and orthopedic appliances.
- Construct and fabricate appliances, or supervise others constructing the appliances.
- Make and modify plaster casts of areas to be fitted with prostheses or orthoses to guide the device construction process.
- Confer with physicians to formulate specifications and prescriptions for orthopedic or prosthetic devices.
Tools & technology
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Alibre Design
- American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association CodingPro
- Artsco OrthoPro Complete
- Computer graphics software
- Futura International O.P.S.
- Gait analysis software
- Gez Bowman THE O&P HUB
- Healthcare common procedure coding system HCPCS
- Infinity CAD Systems AutoSculpt
- MedePresence
- MedEvolve eCeno
- Ohio Willow Wood OMEGA Tracer System
- OPIE Practice Management Suite
- Patient management software
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Design
- Therapy and Counseling
- English Language
- Psychology
- Mechanical
- Education and Training