How To Become A Prosthetics Technician: What It Is and Career Path

What is a prosthetics technician and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Quoted expert

Jim Lawson

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a prosthetics technician. For example, did you know that they make an average of $17.81 an hour? That's $37,035 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 2% and produce 1,400 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to a prosthetics technician?

Jim Lawson

Manager, American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics

Some of the points I make with the soon to graduate students are the following:
-All of those graduating with a master’s in O&P; have to complete a residency, either 18 months or two years. The residency is a continuation of their education. The majority of the graduates find their residency on their own, but there are many helpful tools available through NCOPE, the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education. Students apply and interview for residencies, very much like a job interview. I encourage them to ask questions during their interview to ensure their residency site is a good fit for them.
-ABC urges recent graduates to take their Written Combined Exam, which they are able to apply immediately after graduation. The other ABC practitioner exams need to be taken after completion of their residency programs.
-You are entering into a wonderful profession; you are needed; with the number of aging baby boomers and the cases of diabetes constantly rising, they are needed, and there will always be a job for you
-Once a graduate finishes their residency, they are eligible to sit for the ABC certification exams. There are a total of six exams to become a Certified Prosthetist Orthotist. More info on our exams is available on our website, ABCop.org

ScoreProsthetics TechnicianUS Average

Salary

2.9

Avg. Salary $37,035

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.7

Growth rate 2%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

9.6

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.55%

Asian 8.55%

Black or African American 8.71%

Hispanic or Latino 20.09%

Unknown 3.85%

White 58.26%

Gender

female 19.64%

male 80.36%

Age - 43

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 - 43

Stress level

7.7

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

6.9

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.1

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a prosthetics technician

Explore prosthetics technician education requirements

Most common prosthetics technician degrees

Bachelor's

44.7 %

Associate

30.7 %

High School Diploma

10.5 %

Start to develop specific prosthetics technician skills

Skills	Percentages
Patient Care	21.02%
Prosthetic Devices	18.99%
Prosthetics	16.44%
Patients	15.75%
Orthotics	10.01%

Complete relevant prosthetics technician training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New prosthetics technicians 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 a prosthetics technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real prosthetics technician resumes.

Research prosthetics technician duties and responsibilities

Fabricate and repair custom orthotics and prostheses.
Fabricate and modify children and adult orthotics.
Fit, test, and evaluate devices on patients, and make adjustments for proper fit, function, and comfort.
Maintain company's public image and excellent reputation through tailor and consistent communication with patients, personnel, and the public.

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