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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.
Table of Contents
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.
Salary
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
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 |
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
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
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.
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Learn more about Orthotists and Prosthetists
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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
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