Occupational Therapist
Median wage · national
$100,330
Range: $83K – $117K
Employed
162K
Openings/yr
10K
Typically: master's degree
HEALTH
Medical Appliance Technicians
Medical Appliance Technicians earn $48,030 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $42,210 and $60,580. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About Medical Appliance Technicians
Construct, maintain, or repair medical supportive devices such as braces, orthotics and prosthetic devices, joints, arch supports, and other surgical and medical appliances.
- Median Wage
- $48,030
- Employed Nationally
- 11K
- Openings / Year
- 1,500
- Entry Education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Job Zone
- Zone 3: Medium Preparation
Also known as:
Arch Support Maker
Arch Support Technician
Arch-Support Maker
Artificial Eye Maker
Artificial Limb Maker
How Much Do Medical Appliance Technicians Make?
Medical Appliance Technicians earn $48,030 nationally, below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $42,210 and $60,580. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$48,030
National Median (Annual)
Below average for bachelor's degree holders.
$42K–$61K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$42,210
Entry-level
$48,030
Median
$60,580
Experienced
What Do Medical Appliance Technicians Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Medical Appliance Technicians roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
What You'll Do
- Drill and tap holes for rivets, and glue, weld, bolt, or rivet parts together to form prosthetic or orthotic devices.
- Read prescriptions or specifications to determine the type of product or device to be fabricated and the materials and tools required.
- Make orthotic or prosthetic devices, using materials such as thermoplastic and thermosetting materials, metal alloys and leather, and hand or power tools.
- Bend, form, and shape fabric or material to conform to prescribed contours of structural components.
- Construct or receive casts or impressions of patients' torsos or limbs for use as cutting and fabrication patterns.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Quality Control Analysis
Troubleshooting
Reading Comprehension
Who Thrives Here
R
Realistic
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
I
Investigative
This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.
C
Conventional
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
Where Do Medical Appliance Technicians Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
Moderate
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
What Is the Job Outlook for Medical Appliance Technicians?
The BLS projects +3.7% employment change for Medical Appliance Technicians through 2034, below the national average of +5%. About 1,500 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↗ +3.7%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
About as fast as average.
1,500
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
11K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Medical Appliance Technicians professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $48,030 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 1,400 | $47,380 | -1.4% |
| 2 | Florida | 1,370 | $44,920 | -6.5% |
| 3 | New York | 1,130 | $47,310 | -1.5% |
| 4 | Illinois | 720 | $40,230 | -16.2% |
| 5 | Washington | 420 | $46,550 | -3.1% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Medical Appliance Technicians positions require a high school diploma or equivalent to qualify. The program below is the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Typical Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone
Zone 3: Medium Preparation
A medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rehabilitation | 29,934 | $55,792 | 609 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Medical Appliance Technicians
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL | 93 | $6,541 | $71,588 |
| 2 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC | 90 | $11,655 | $72,200 |
| 3 | California State University-Long Beach Long Beach, CA | 90 | $10,440 | $64,403 |
| 4 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FL | 90 | $10,411 | $58,308 |
| 5 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FL | 90 | $11,297 | $61,675 |
| 6 | Florida International University Miami, FL | 90 | $9,288 | $60,249 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Medical Appliance Technicians, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Medical Appliance Technicians pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Medical Appliance Technicians Pros & Cons
The data on Medical Appliance Technicians shows 1 measurable strengths and 1 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.
PROS
- Accessible entry path The typical entry requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent, lower than many comparable-paying careers. This creates a shorter path from training to first paycheck.
CONS
- Modest median salary At $48,030 median, this career lags STEM and business fields. High-cost degree programs may be difficult to justify on salary alone.
Medical Appliance Technicians Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Medical Appliance Technicians professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Medical Appliance Technicians is $48,030, below the national median, program ROI depends heavily on keeping tuition costs low. The middle 50% of earners fall between $42,210 and $60,580. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Medical Appliance Technicians a good career?
Medical Appliance Technicians involves trade-offs worth understanding before committing. At $48,030 median, programs with high tuition are difficult to justify on salary return alone. Prioritize in-state public schools or employer-sponsored pathways. Job growth is projected at +3.7% through 2034. Genuine interest in the work, not just the salary, matters most here.
How do I become a Medical Appliance Technicians?
Most Medical Appliance Technicians positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the minimum credential. a medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience. Programs like Rehabilitation are common starting points.
What is the job outlook for Medical Appliance Technicians?
The BLS projects +3.7% employment change for Medical Appliance Technicians through 2034, about as fast as average compared to all occupations. About 1,500 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 11K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
What skills do Medical Appliance Technicians professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Medical Appliance Technicians roles: Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Quality Control Analysis, Troubleshooting, and Reading Comprehension. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
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