Orthotists and Prosthetists: Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

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Orthotists and Prosthetists

Orthotists and Prosthetists design, measure, fit, and adapt orthopedic braces, appliances or prostheses, such as limbs or facial parts for patients with disabling conditions.

Salary
$74120
Becoming One
Very Hard
Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality



Job description

Orthotists and Prosthetists design, measure, fit, and adapt orthopedic braces, appliances or prostheses, such as limbs or facial parts for patients with disabling conditions.

  • Examine, interview, and measure patients to determine their appliance needs and to identify factors that could affect appliance fit.
  • 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.
Read more about what does an Orthotist and Prosthetist really do at work and what is it like being and working as one.



Salary

Average salary
$73860 per year

Average hourly wage
$36 per hour


Orthotists and Prosthetists with little to no experience tend to make between $40090 and $52790 while the more experienced ones can earn over $88010 per year.

Top 5 paying states Hourly Annual
CA $43 $88,460
LA $40 $83,060
TX $40 $82,730
NH $39 $81,460
IL $39 $81,090

One of the easiest ways to increase your salary as an Orthotist and Prosthetist is to move to a higher paying state like CA. Right now, the highest paying states for Orthotists and Prosthetists are CA, LA, TX, NH and IL.

However, a higher pay at CA doesn’t guarantee that you will make more because the living expenses at CA might be twice as high than where you are currently at now.

Three other factors that can increase your salary as an Orthotist and Prosthetist is the degree you hold, the industry you work in, and lastly the company you work for.


Requirements

Recommended degree level
Bachelor’s degree

We asked other Orthotists and Prosthetists what degree they had when they got the job and most of them said they had a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate followed by a Bachelor’s Degree.

Other than that, we also asked them what did they major in and here are the most popular majors that came up.

Orthotist/Prosthetist
Assistive/Augmentative Technology and Rehabilitation Engineering
Read more about how to become an Orthotist and Prosthetist and the degree, training and education you need.

Pros and Cons

Here are some of the pros and cons of being an Orthotist and Prosthetist.

PROS
Suitable for people who likes to help and teach others
Suitable for people who values relationships between co-workers and customers and wants to work in a friendly non-competitive environment
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
One of the fastest growing careers
CONS
Not suitable for people who likes to follow routines
It is very hard to get into this career. Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience is required for this career.
Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week)

What is the job like

Job satisfaction
79%

Is this job meaningful
85%


79% of Orthotists and Prosthetists said they were satisfied with their job and 85% said they feel like their job is making other people’s lives better.


Is this right for me

Best personality for this career
The Helpers and The Builders

You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with, communicating with, and teaching people. They like helping or providing service to others..

They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.



Learn more about Orthotists and Prosthetists

Summary (You are here)
Job Description
Salary
Requirements
Quiz

Related career information

Orthotists and Prosthetists job description, Orthotists and Prosthetists salary, Orthotists and Prosthetists information, what is the job of an Orthotist and Prosthetist like, pros and cons about Orthotists and Prosthetists, colleges and universities for Orthotists and Prosthetists, is Orthotists and Prosthetists the right career for me, careers in Healthcare and Medical

Similar careers

American Board Certified Orthotist (ABC Orthotist), Artificial Limb Fitter, Board Certified and Licensed Orthotist/Prosthetist, Certified Orthotic Fitter, Certified Orthotist (CO), Certified Orthotist, Practice Manager, Certified Orthotist/Pedorthist, Certified Orthotist/Practitioner Manager, Certified Prosthetist (CP), Certified Prosthetist, Certified Pedorthist

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