Orthotist vs prosthetist

The differences between orthotists 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 orthotist and a prosthetist. Additionally, an orthotist has an average salary of $52,238, which is higher than the $51,852 average annual salary of a prosthetist.

The top three skills for an orthotist include patients, orthotics and prosthetics. The most important skills for a prosthetist are prosthetics, orthotics, and treatment plan.

Orthotist vs prosthetist overview

	Orthotist	Prosthetist
Yearly salary	$52,238	$51,852
Hourly rate	$25.11	$24.93
Growth rate	17%	17%
Number of jobs	341	298
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 50%	Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

Orthotist vs prosthetist salary

Orthotists and prosthetists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Orthotist	Prosthetist
Average salary	$52,238	$51,852
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $110,000	Between $24,000 And $109,000
Highest paying City	Scranton, PA	Las Vegas, NV
Highest paying state	Alaska	Alaska
Best paying company	University of Rochester	Tenet Healthcare
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between orthotist and prosthetist education

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

	Orthotist	Prosthetist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 50%	Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common major	Psychology	Health Sciences And Services
Most common college	Duke University	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Orthotist vs prosthetist demographics

Here are the differences between orthotists' and prosthetists' demographics:

	Orthotist	Prosthetist
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 75.0% Female, 25.0%	Male, 74.4% Female, 25.6%
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 prosthetist 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.

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.

Orthotist vs prosthetist skills

Common orthotist skills

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

Common prosthetist skills

Prosthetics, 74%
Orthotics, 19%
Treatment Plan, 7%

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Orthotist
Orthotist vs Prosthetist

Updated January 8, 2025

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