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Orthotics and Prosthetics Outcomes & Career Options
Outcomes & Career Options
Orthotists and prosthetists design, create, and fit custom orthopedic braces and prosthetic limbs to enhance mobility and quality of life for individuals with limb loss or musculoskeletal conditions. They collaborate with physicians and rehabilitation teams to assess patient needs and develop tailored solutions. Advances in technology, including 3D printing and AI-driven design, have improved the functionality and comfort of these devices. Professionals in this field work in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and specialized clinics, with opportunities in research, device innovation, and international humanitarian efforts. Many orthotics and prosthetics professionals pursue certification through the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics (ABCOP) and undergo extensive clinical training.
Educational Qualifications
This program requires 96 quarter hours of prerequisite course work followed by 10 quarters if Master of Science courses. Upon completion, the graduate will be eligible to apply for a National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE) accredited residency. Upon completion of the residency, the student will be eligible to sit for the American Board of Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics (ABC) exams.
Job Outlook
15% Job Market Growth
$78,100 Median Salary
The median annual wage for orthotists and prosthetists was $78,100 in May 2023. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $42,020, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $117,250.
In May 2023, the median annual wages for orthotists and prosthetists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
- Federal government, excluding postal service $83,400
- Ambulatory healthcare services $82,010
- Medical equipment and supplies manufacturing $80,660
- Health and personal care retailers $68,820
- Hospitals; state, local, and private $66,510
Partial information in this page was retrieved from Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Orthotists and Prosthetists, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/orthotists-and-prosthetists.htm (visited April 17, 2024).
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