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 by State
| State Name | Employment | Annual Salary | Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 170 | $64,320 | $30.92 | |
| Alaska | $98,510 | $47.36 | ||
| Arizona | 230 | $68,240 | $32.81 | |
| Arkansas | 160 | $77,330 | $37.18 | |
| California | 1,060 | $89,520 | $43.04 | |
| Colorado | $67,420 | $32.41 | ||
| Connecticut | 70 | $92,160 | $44.31 | |
| Delaware | $81,180 | $39.03 | ||
| District of Columbia | 110 | $51,240 | $24.64 | |
| Florida | 520 | $76,280 | $36.67 | |
| Georgia | 180 | $92,640 | $44.54 | |
| Illinois | 410 | $69,280 | $33.31 | |
| Indiana | 310 | $78,120 | $37.56 | |
| Iowa | 50 | $67,930 | $32.66 | |
| Kansas | 100 | $80,430 | $38.67 | |
| Kentucky | 130 | $82,520 | $39.67 | |
| Louisiana | 130 | $55,970 | $26.91 | |
| Maine | 70 | $75,560 | $36.33 | |
| Maryland | 110 | $72,740 | $34.97 | |
| Massachusetts | 150 | $83,230 | $40.02 | |
| Michigan | 420 | $73,540 | $35.36 | |
| Minnesota | 270 | $73,670 | $35.42 | |
| Mississippi | 50 | $109,270 | $52.54 | |
| Missouri | 150 | $126,490 | $60.81 | |
| Montana | 70 | $70,940 | $34.11 | |
| Nebraska | 50 | $80,780 | $38.84 | |
| Nevada | 130 | $81,860 | $39.36 | |
| New Hampshire | 60 | $77,760 | $37.39 | |
| New Jersey | 300 | $101,960 | $49.02 | |
| New Mexico | 80 | $59,310 | $28.51 | |
| New York | 320 | $84,010 | $40.39 | |
| North Carolina | 340 | $78,800 | $37.88 | |
| Ohio | 510 | $67,290 | $32.35 | |
| Oklahoma | 170 | $50,910 | $24.48 | |
| Oregon | 130 | $93,830 | $45.11 | |
| Pennsylvania | 700 | $69,720 | $33.52 | |
| Rhode Island | 70 | $74,920 | $36.02 | |
| South Carolina | 140 | $78,670 | $37.82 | |
| Tennessee | 90 | $59,740 | $28.72 | |
| Texas | 1,000 | $78,020 | $37.51 | |
| Utah | 80 | $71,990 | $34.61 | |
| Vermont | $80,490 | $38.70 | ||
| Virginia | 180 | $81,560 | $39.21 | |
| Washington | 340 | $139,430 | $67.03 | |
| West Virginia | 90 | $69,530 | $33.43 | |
| Wisconsin | $85,220 | $40.97 |
Education
The programs listed below are typically the education paths that can land you this kind of job.
A program that prepares individuals, in consultation with physicians and other therapists, to design and fit orthoses for patients with disabling conditions of the limbs and/or spine, and prostheses for patients who have partial or total absence of a limb or significant superficial deformity. Includes instruction in biomechanics, gait analysis, pathomechanics, kinesiology, pathology, neuroanatomy, materials science, diagnostic imaging, patient analysis and measurement, impression taking, model rectification, assistive/restorative technology and engineering applications, product finishing, diagnostic and definitive fitting and alignment, power devices, postoperative management, and patient counseling and follow-up.
A program that prepares individuals to apply the principles of psychology, engineering, and occupational therapy to the design and implementation of technological interventions and systems to promote patient rehabilitation and function. Includes instruction in ergonomics, seating and mobility design, universal and near environment systems design, rehabilitation research, rehabilitation biomechanics, access and communications design, microprocessor-based technologies, neurological trauma, standards and testing, and service delivery management.
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$79,820 per yearNational average salaryVery HighJob growth rate
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Master's degreeTypical education requirement
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Internship/residencyTypical on-the-job training requirement
Educational Attainment
The following chart shows the highest education level completed by those working as orthotists and prosthetists.
- Less than high school 2%
- High school graduate 18%
- College dropout 30%
- Associate’s degree 18%
- Bachelor’s degree 22%
- Master’s degree 6%
- Doctorate degree 3%
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