How To Become An Orthotist/Prosthetist: What It Is and Career Path

What is an orthotist/prosthetist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Orthotists and prosthetists are in charge of fabricating or designing supportive medical devices for patients. For example, they measure and fit devices like artificial limbs and other medical or surgical devices. To do this, they interview patients to determine their needs and take all the necessary measurements that need artificial attachments.

Apart from this, an orthotist/prosthetist can also choose the materials used to design the artificial device. If there is any need for adjustments after the device has been made, the orthotist/prosthetist will make the corrections.

Orthotists and prosthetists usually undergo a master's degree education in orthotics and prosthetics. These disciplines include courses in spinal orthotics, upper and lower extremity, orthotics, and prosthetics. The master's programs usually take two years to complete, and after this, the candidate is set to complete a residency accredited by the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education. Orthotists/prosthetists earn around $81,033 a year.

ScoreOrthotist/ProsthetistUS Average

Salary

4.1

Avg. Salary $51,969

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.8

Growth rate 17%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

8.1

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.71%

Asian 9.48%

Black or African American 14.40%

Hispanic or Latino 12.92%

Unknown 5.22%

White 57.26%

Gender

female 26.09%

male 73.91%

Age - 42

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42

Stress level

8.8

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.2

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

3.9

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an orthotist/prosthetist

Explore orthotist/prosthetist education requirements

Most common orthotist/prosthetist degrees

Bachelor's

67.6 %

Associate

14.7 %

Certificate

8.8 %

Start to develop specific orthotist/prosthetist skills

Skills	Percentages
Customer Service	28.88%
Rehabilitation	21.23%
ABC	17.08%
Prosthetics	16.18%
Orthotics	13.58%

Complete relevant orthotist/prosthetist training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New orthotist/prosthetists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an orthotist/prosthetist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real orthotist/prosthetist resumes.

Research orthotist/prosthetist duties and responsibilities

Research products to ensure cost efficient materials are used for the most cost effective products build and make for patients.
Provide comprehensive orthotic and prosthetic services.
Educate and advocate for prosthetic patients post-amputation and pre-prosthetic care.
Consult with physicians and therapists to evaluate patients, identify needs and establish specifications for prosthetic/orthotic devices.

Prepare your orthotist/prosthetist resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your orthotist/prosthetist resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an orthotist/prosthetist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable orthotist/prosthetist resume templates

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