Work Environment
Orthotists and prosthetists held about 10,100 jobs in 2020. The largest employers of orthotists and prosthetists were as follows:
- Ambulatory healthcare services - 27%
- Medical equipment and supplies manufacturing - 25%
- Health and personal care stores - 19%
- Hospitals; state, local, and private - 10%
- Federal government, excluding postal service - 9%
Orthotists and prosthetists who fabricate orthotics and prosthetics may be exposed to health or safety hazards when handling certain materials, but there is little risk of injury if workers follow proper procedures, such as wearing goggles, gloves, and masks.
Work Schedules
Most orthotists and prosthetists work full time.
Job Outlook
Employment of orthotists and prosthetists is projected to grow 18 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 1,000 openings for orthotists and prosthetists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Employment
Demand for orthotists and prosthetists is projected to rise as the large baby-boom population continues to age. However, because it is a small occupation, the fast growth is expected to result in only about 1,900 new jobs over the decade.
Both diabetes and cardiovascular disease, two leading causes of limb loss, are more common among older people than younger people. In addition, older people will continue to need other devices designed and fitted by orthotists and prosthetists, such as braces and orthopedic footwear.
Advances in technology are allowing more people to survive traumatic events. Patients with traumatic injuries, such as some veterans, will continue to need orthotists and prosthetists to create devices that allow the patients to regain or improve mobility and functionality.
Earnings
The median annual wage for orthotists and prosthetists was $75,440 in May 2021. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $41,730, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $124,040.
In May 2021, the median annual wages for orthotists and prosthetists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
- Medical equipment and supplies manufacturing - $78,430
- Federal government, excluding postal service - $77,490
- Ambulatory healthcare services - $76,560
- Health and personal care stores - $64,550
- Hospitals; state, local, and private - $60,600
Most orthotists and prosthetists work full time.
