Healthcare practitioners
Orthotists and prosthetists
Design, measure, fit, and adapt orthopedic braces, appliances or prostheses, such as limbs or facial parts for patients with disabling conditions.
Median pay
$81,110
Growth to 2035
+13%
faster than average
Openings a year
700
Time to qualify*
4 years
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Orthotists and prosthetists
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Master's degree
- On-the-job training
- Internship/residency
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Hazardous conditions
Exposure to disease
Orthotists and prosthetists: 71% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- 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.
Also called: Certified Orthotist (CO) · Certified Pedorthist · Certified Prosthetist (CP) · Certified Prosthetist Orthotist (CPO) · Licensed Orthotist · LPO (Licensed Prosthetist Orthotist) · Orthotic Practitioner · Orthotist
Outlook and AI
Orthotists and prosthetists held 9,500 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 10,700 by 2035 (+13%, faster than average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- Orthotists and prosthetists vs. Orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric
- Orthotists and prosthetists vs. Medical appliance technician
- Orthotists and prosthetists vs. Physician (other specialties)
- Orthotists and prosthetists vs. Podiatrist
- Orthotists and prosthetists vs. Audiologist
- Orthotists and prosthetists vs. Orthodontist
- Orthotists and prosthetists vs. Physical therapist assistant
- Orthotists and prosthetists vs. Paramedic
- Orthotists and prosthetists vs. Physical therapist
- Orthotists and prosthetists vs. Prosthodontist