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Orthopaedic technician education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an orthopaedic technician. Orthopaedic technicians usually study medical technician, biology, or business. 36% of orthopaedic technicians hold a bachelor's degree, and 27% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 159 real orthopaedic technician resumes to see exactly what orthopaedic technician education sections show.
The most common colleges for orthopaedic technicians are the Coastal Carolina University and the Coastal Carolina University.
There are also many online orthopaedic technician courses to help get the education required to be an orthopaedic technician.
There are certain orthopaedic technician certifications that you should consider. These orthopaedic technician certifications include Orthopaedic Certified Specialist (OCS) and Orthopaedic Technologist Certified (OTC).
What education do you need to become an orthopaedic technician?
What degree do you need to be an orthopaedic technician?
- Bachelor's, 36%
- Associate, 27%
- Master's, 7%
- Diploma, 7%
- Other Degrees, 23%
What should I major in to become an orthopaedic technician?
- Medical Technician, 24%
- Biology, 9%
- Business, 9%
- Kinesiology, 7%
- Other Majors, 51%
Most common colleges for orthopaedic technicians
| Orthopaedic technician common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Coastal Carolina University | 8.70% |
| Georgia State University | 8.70% |
| Michigan State University | 8.70% |
| University of Dayton | 4.35% |
| Indiana Institute of Technology | 4.35% |
Best majors for orthopaedic technicians
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Medical Technician | 23.6% |
| 2 | Biology | 9.1% |
| 3 | Business | 9.1% |
| 4 | Kinesiology | 7.3% |
| 5 | Athletic Training | 5.5% |
Best colleges for orthopaedic technicians
The best colleges for orthopaedic technicians are Duke University, Northeastern University, and New York University.
An orthopaedic technician with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for orthopaedic technicians. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become orthopaedic technicians.
1. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
2. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
3. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Enrollment
34,564
4. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Enrollment
31,503
5. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
6. Emory University
Atlanta, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,306
Enrollment
6,975
7. Kettering College
Kettering, OH • Private
In-state tuition
$12,960
Enrollment
610
8. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
9. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,522
Enrollment
13,760
10. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Enrollment
32,072
20 best online courses for orthopaedic technicians
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12. Introduction to Medical Imaging
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13. Health After Cancer: Cancer Survivorship for Primary Care
This course presents basic principles of cancer survivorship to primary-care physicians. Developed by a team of experts in caring for cancer survivors, and narrated by a primary-care physician, this course provides practical tips and tools that can be easily integrated into medical practice. You will learn about the complex physical and psychosocial needs and concerns of the growing number of cancer survivors, along with the key role that primary care physicians have in guiding these patients...
14. Medical Emergencies: CPR, Toxicology, and Wilderness
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Top 10 most affordable universities for orthopaedic technicians
The most affordable schools for orthopaedic technicians are University of Florida, california state university - long beach, and brigham young university.
If the best universities for orthopaedic technicians are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for orthopaedic technicians.
1. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
2. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
3. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
4. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
5. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
6. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
7. California State University - Fresno
Fresno, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,587
Cost of attendance
16,915
8. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
9. California State University - Northridge
Northridge, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,893
Cost of attendance
18,870
10. University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,368
Cost of attendance
21,034
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for orthopaedic technicians
The hardest universities for orthopaedic technicians to get into are Duke University, Northeastern University, and New York University.
Some great schools for orthopaedic technicians are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for orthopaedic technicians based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
2. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
3. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
4. Emory University
Atlanta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,449
5. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
6. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
7. University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL • Private
Admissions rate
32%
SAT average
1,365
8. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
Admissions rate
23%
SAT average
1,398
9. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
42%
SAT average
1,380
10. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for orthopaedic technicians
The easiest schools for orthopaedic technicians to get into are AdventHealth University, d'youville college, and barry university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an orthopaedic technician without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for orthopaedic technicians.
1. AdventHealth University
Orlando, FL • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,016
2. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
3. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
4. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
5. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
6. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
7. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
8. Dominican College of Blauvelt
Orangeburg, NY • Private
Admissions rate
77%
SAT average
1,038
9. Clarke University
Dubuque, IA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
1,058
10. Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,053
Average orthopaedic technician salary by education level
| Orthopaedic technician education level | Orthopaedic technician salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $38,912 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $39,311 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $40,128 |
Orthopaedic technician education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025