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Orthotic assistant vs prosthetist

The differences between orthotic assistants and prosthetists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an orthotic assistant and a prosthetist. Additionally, a prosthetist has an average salary of $51,852, which is higher than the $45,826 average annual salary of an orthotic assistant.

The top three skills for an orthotic assistant include cervical, orthotics and . The most important skills for a prosthetist are prosthetics, orthotics, and treatment plan.

Orthotic assistant vs prosthetist overview

Orthotic AssistantProsthetist
Yearly salary$45,826$51,852
Hourly rate$22.03$24.93
Growth rate17%17%
Number of jobs96298
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age4343
Years of experience22

Orthotic assistant vs prosthetist salary

Orthotic assistants and prosthetists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Orthotic AssistantProsthetist
Average salary$45,826$51,852
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $93,000Between $24,000 And $109,000
Highest paying City-Las Vegas, NV
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Tenet Healthcare
Best paying industry--

Differences between orthotic assistant and prosthetist education

There are a few differences between an orthotic assistant and a prosthetist in terms of educational background:

Orthotic AssistantProsthetist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common majorBusinessHealth Sciences And Services
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Orthotic assistant vs prosthetist demographics

Here are the differences between orthotic assistants' and prosthetists' demographics:

Orthotic AssistantProsthetist
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 45.7% Female, 54.3%Male, 74.4% Female, 25.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 14.4% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 9.5% White, 57.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 14.4% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 9.5% White, 57.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between orthotic assistant and prosthetist duties and responsibilities

Orthotic assistant example responsibilities.

  • Help Prosthetists/Orthotists creating prosthetics and orthotics devices.
  • Obtain insurance authorizations when necessary and bill insurance companies using emr software.
  • Develop procedures and techniques for the immediate post-operative fittings of prosthetic and orthotic limbs and devices.
  • Assist in the casting and molding of orthosis and prosthetic devices to meet the specific needs of each patient.
  • Fabricate custom inserts, AFO, and prosthetic sockets/devices.

Prosthetist example responsibilities.

  • Gain extensive knowledge of hospital orthotics.
  • Obtain insurance authorizations when necessary and bill insurance companies using emr software.
  • Design and application of cosmetic prosthetic devices.
  • Work closely with PTs, OTs and SLPs.

Orthotic assistant vs prosthetist skills

Common orthotic assistant skills
  • Cervical, 55%
  • Orthotics, 45%
Common prosthetist skills
  • Prosthetics, 74%
  • Orthotics, 19%
  • Treatment Plan, 7%

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