Health Technologists and Technicians

How to become an Orthotist or Prosthetist

Official title: Orthotists and Prosthetists

Also called: Certified Orthotist (CO), Certified Pedorthist, Certified Prosthetist (CP), Certified Prosthetist Orthotist (CPO), Licensed Orthotist, LPO (Licensed Prosthetist Orthotist), Orthotic Practitioner, Orthotist, Prosthetic Practitioner, Prosthetist

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

Main 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.

How to become one

Orthotists and prosthetists typically need to complete a master's degree program and residency to enter the occupation. Some states require these workers to be licensed.

Typical education to start: Master's degree

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

Apprenticeship: Orthotist.
Apprenticeship: Prosthetist (Medical Serv).
College: Engineering degrees, Offered by 36 universities in the US
Licence: A licence is required in 15 states.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $81,110 a year The middle half earn $61,290 to $99,990.
About 9,500 people work in this job now, and about 10,700 are projected by 2035. (+12.9%)
People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Questions people ask

How do I become an Orthotist or Prosthetist?

Orthotists and prosthetists typically need to complete a master's degree program and residency to enter the occupation. Some states require these workers to be licensed.

How much does an Orthotist or Prosthetist earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $81,110 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $61,290 to $99,990.

Is an Orthotist or Prosthetist a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 13% by 2035, from about 9,500 to about 10,700 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become an Orthotist or Prosthetist?

Not always. 31% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Engineering degrees; Orthotist.

Will AI change the work of an Orthotist or Prosthetist?

People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.