Careers · Explore one path
Orthotists and Prosthetists
Design, measure, fit, and adapt orthopedic braces, appliances or prostheses, such as limbs or facial parts for patients with disabling conditions.
Other titles employers use
Certified Orthotist (CO) · Certified Pedorthist · Certified Prosthetist (CP) · Certified Prosthetist Orthotist (CPO) · Licensed Orthotist · LPO (Licensed Prosthetist Orthotist) · Orthotic Practitioner · Orthotist
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Fit, test, and evaluate devices on patients, and make adjustments for proper fit, function, and comfort.
- Instruct patients in the use and care of orthoses and prostheses.
- Maintain patients' records.
- Examine, interview, and measure patients to determine their appliance needs and to identify factors that could affect appliance fit.
- Select materials and components to be used, based on device design.
- Design orthopedic and prosthetic devices, based on physicians' prescriptions and examination and measurement of patients.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, analytical and helping work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
Subjects to know
- Customer and Personal Service
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Design
- Therapy and Counseling
- English Language
Useful strengths
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Deductive Reasoning
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 4.7 | Arm’s length or closer, most of the day |
| On your feet | 3.4 | Up and down through the day |
| Talking face to face | 4.9 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 4.2 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a master's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A master's degree 95%
- A four-year degree 5%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Electronic mail software
- Accounting software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Spreadsheet software
- Presentation software
- Word processing software
- Medical software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 1,200
- Job openings each year
- 100
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 20.0%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1,200 | 100 | 20.0% |
| Utah | 1,040 | 100 | 57.6% |
| Texas | 760 | 60 | 22.6% |
| Florida | 680 | 60 | 28.3% |
| North Carolina | 590 | 50 | 22.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 550 | 40 | 12.2% |
| Michigan | 530 | 40 | 17.8% |
| Ohio | 460 | 30 | 7.0% |
| Illinois | 410 | 30 | 13.9% |
| Georgia | 360 | 30 | 16.1% |
| Missouri | 350 | 30 | 6.1% |
| Colorado | 300 | 20 | 15.4% |
| Louisiana | 290 | 20 | 26.1% |
| Virginia | 270 | 20 | 17.4% |
| Indiana | 250 | 20 | 19.0% |
| Maryland | 220 | 20 | 22.2% |
| Minnesota | 220 | 20 | 22.2% |
| Nevada | 220 | 20 | 57.1% |
| Washington | 200 | 20 | 17.6% |
| Arkansas | 190 | 10 | 18.8% |
| Kentucky | 180 | 10 | 20.0% |
| Oklahoma | 180 | 10 | 12.5% |
| Oregon | 170 | 10 | 21.4% |
| South Carolina | 160 | 10 | 23.1% |
| Arizona | 140 | 10 | 40.0% |
| Idaho | 140 | 10 | 27.3% |
| New Jersey | 140 | 10 | 7.7% |
| Maine | 120 | 10 | 9.1% |
| Wisconsin | 120 | 10 | 20.0% |
| Alabama | 110 | 10 | 22.2% |
| Nebraska | 110 | 10 | 22.2% |
| New Mexico | 100 | 10 | 42.9% |
| Tennessee | 100 | 10 | 25.0% |
| Massachusetts | 90 | 10 | 12.5% |
| New Hampshire | 90 | 10 | 28.6% |
| Mississippi | 70 | 10 | 16.7% |
| Rhode Island | 70 | 10 | 16.7% |
| West Virginia | 60 | 0 | 20.0% |
| Montana | 40 | 0 | 33.3% |
| Vermont | 40 | 0 | — |
| North Dakota | 10 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
- Degrees each year
- 144
- Admit rate
- 50%
- Annual cost after aid
- $23,000
The University of Texas at El Paso
- Degrees each year
- 139
- Admit rate
- 100%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
Ithaca College
- Degrees each year
- 121
- Admit rate
- 70%
- Annual cost after aid
- $29,000
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
- Degrees each year
- 83
- Admit rate
- 85%
- Annual cost after aid
- $6,000
Florida International University
- Degrees each year
- 80
- Admit rate
- 59%
- Annual cost after aid
- $11,000
University of North Texas
- Degrees each year
- 76
- Admit rate
- 72%
- Annual cost after aid
- $14,000
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
- Degrees each year
- 73
- Admit rate
- 75%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
Temple University
- Degrees each year
- 71
- Admit rate
- 83%
- Annual cost after aid
- $27,000
Compare every college offering rehabilitation and therapeutic professions