Orthotist vs orthotic/prosthetic practitioner

The differences between orthotists and orthotic/prosthetic practitioners can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an orthotist and an orthotic/prosthetic practitioner. Additionally, an orthotic/prosthetic practitioner has an average salary of $216,637, which is higher than the $52,238 average annual salary of an orthotist.

The top three skills for an orthotist include patients, orthotics and prosthetics. The most important skills for an orthotic/prosthetic practitioner are prosthetics, orthotics, and ABC.

Orthotist vs orthotic/prosthetic practitioner overview

	Orthotist	Orthotic/Prosthetic Practitioner
Yearly salary	$52,238	$216,637
Hourly rate	$25.11	$104.15
Growth rate	17%	17%
Number of jobs	341	20,149
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 50%	Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

Orthotist vs orthotic/prosthetic practitioner salary

Orthotists and orthotic/prosthetic practitioners have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Orthotist	Orthotic/Prosthetic Practitioner
Average salary	$52,238	$216,637
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $110,000	Between $129,000 And $361,000
Highest paying City	Scranton, PA	-
Highest paying state	Alaska	-
Best paying company	University of Rochester	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between orthotist and orthotic/prosthetic practitioner education

There are a few differences between an orthotist and an orthotic/prosthetic practitioner in terms of educational background:

	Orthotist	Orthotic/Prosthetic Practitioner
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 50%	Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Most common major	Psychology	Business
Most common college	Duke University	University of Southern California

Orthotist vs orthotic/prosthetic practitioner demographics

Here are the differences between orthotists' and orthotic/prosthetic practitioners' demographics:

	Orthotist	Orthotic/Prosthetic Practitioner
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 75.0% Female, 25.0%	Male, 58.3% Female, 41.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 7.2% White, 59.8% 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 Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between orthotist and orthotic/prosthetic practitioner duties and responsibilities

Orthotist example responsibilities.

Provide detail patient management to patient of proper use of custom and/or off-the-shelf orthotics as were prescribe.
Designate as department's long-term EMR 'super user' for inpatient and outpatient services.
Research products to ensure cost efficient materials are used for the most cost effective products build and make for patients.
Experience with microprocessor knees, body power and myoelectric upper extremity prosthetics.
Work as a certify breast prosthetic fitter.
Fabricate orthotic devices, including development of designs, selection of materials, and structural evaluation and modification.

Orthotic/prosthetic practitioner example responsibilities.

Lead quality assessment of client's QA / QC processes, organizations, and test environments.
Execute the development from paper reporting to all digital using SafetyChain technology for all SQF relate documentation.
Work closely with PTs, OTs and SLPs.

Orthotist vs orthotic/prosthetic practitioner skills

Common orthotist skills

Patients, 51%
Orthotics, 14%
Prosthetics, 8%
Patients Needs, 7%
Treatment Plan, 6%
Health Professionals, 4%

Common orthotic/prosthetic practitioner skills

Prosthetics, 44%
Orthotics, 38%
ABC, 19%

Orthotist vs. similar jobs

Orthotist related careers

Orthotist related jobs

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Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Industry
Orthotist
Orthotist vs Orthotic/Prosthetic Practitioner

Updated January 8, 2025

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