Recreational Therapists
Median wage · national
$61,960
Range: $50K – $80K
Employed
15K
Openings/yr
1K
Typically: bachelor's degree
HEALTH
Orthotists and Prosthetists
Projected to grow +13.3% through 2034, Orthotists and Prosthetists is expanding faster than most occupations. Median pay is $81,110, and early movers in a growing field often advance faster.
About Orthotists and Prosthetists
Design, measure, fit, and adapt orthopedic braces, appliances or prostheses, such as limbs or facial parts for patients with disabling conditions.
- Median Wage
- $81,110
- Employed Nationally
- 9K
- Openings / Year
- 900
- Entry Education
- Master's degree
- Job Zone
- Zone 5: Extensive Preparation
Also known as:
American Board Certified Orthotist (ABC Orthotist)
Artificial Limb Fitter
Board Orthotist
Board Prosthetist
Certified Orthotic Fitter
How Much Do Orthotists and Prosthetists Make?
Orthotists and Prosthetists earn $81,110 nationally, above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $61,290 and $99,990. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$81,110
National Median (Annual)
Above the national median for college graduates.
$61K–$100K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$61,290
Entry-level
$81,110
Median
$99,990
Experienced
What Do Orthotists and Prosthetists Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Orthotists and Prosthetists 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
- 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.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Writing
Critical Thinking
Speaking
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.
S
Social
Working closely with people, teaching, advising, or helping others navigate challenges is a defining feature of this career's daily work.
Where Do Orthotists and Prosthetists 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 Orthotists and Prosthetists?
The BLS projects +13.3% employment change for Orthotists and Prosthetists through 2034, well above the national average of +5%. About 900 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↗ +13.3%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
Faster than average.
900
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
9K
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 Orthotists and Prosthetists professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $81,110 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 1,370 | $91,870 | +13.3% |
| 2 | Pennsylvania | 570 | $80,360 | -0.9% |
| 3 | North Carolina | 460 | $76,270 | -6.0% |
| 4 | Washington | 420 | $90,240 | +11.3% |
| 5 | New York | 410 | $79,180 | -2.4% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Orthotists and Prosthetists positions require a master's degree 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
Master's degree
Job Zone
Zone 5: Extensive Preparation
Extensive education (usually a master's or doctoral degree) plus years of field experience is required to qualify for most positions.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rehabilitation | 29,934 | $55,792 | 609 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Orthotists and Prosthetists
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 Orthotists and Prosthetists, 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 Orthotists and Prosthetists 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.
Orthotists and Prosthetists Pros & Cons
Strong earnings and growing demand make Orthotists and Prosthetists a compelling path. The 2 strengths and 2 trade-offs below are drawn from BLS wage data and employment projections.
PROS
- Above-average pay At $81,110 median annually, this career pays meaningfully more than most college-graduate roles. Financial return on education is typically strong.
- Fast-growing field At +13.3% projected growth through 2034, this career grows faster than the national average of about +5%. A strong signal for long-term demand.
CONS
- High education requirement Most employers require a master's degree, typically 6 to 10+ years of higher education before earning full wages. Factor tuition costs into your ROI calculation.
- Entry-level pay well below the national median The 25th percentile wage of $61,290 is considerably below the $81,110 median. Early-career workers typically spend 5 or more years building toward typical pay. Factor this into any program ROI calculation.
Orthotists and Prosthetists Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Orthotists and Prosthetists professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Orthotists and Prosthetists is $81,110, above the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $61,290 and $99,990. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Orthotists and Prosthetists a good career?
Yes, for the right person, but the commitment is significant. The $81,110 median wage reflects years of training most workers invest, and the path to a first career-level role typically spans 8 to 12 or more years. Job growth of +13.3% through 2034 means demand is real. The harder question is whether the education investment at your specific program will pay off. School selection matters enormously at this preparation level.
How long does it take to become a Orthotists and Prosthetists?
Plan on 8 to 12 or more years of combined education and supervised training before qualifying for career-level roles. A master's degree is the typical minimum credential. Degree programs like Rehabilitation are typical entry paths. Early-career pay during this ramp-up period will be meaningfully below the $81,110 national median. Factor that gap into any program ROI calculation.
Is a master's degree worth it to become a Orthotists and Prosthetists?
For in-state public programs, generally yes. The margin tightens significantly at private schools with heavy debt loads. A $81,110 median may take 15 to 20 years to recover at high-cost programs. School choice (specifically tuition cost and your expected local job market) matters as much as the credential itself.
What is the job outlook for Orthotists and Prosthetists?
The BLS projects +13.3% employment change for Orthotists and Prosthetists through 2034, faster than average compared to all occupations. About 900 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 9K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
What skills do Orthotists and Prosthetists professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Orthotists and Prosthetists roles: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Writing, Critical Thinking, and Speaking. 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.
Related Findings
-
10 Six-Figure Careers That Do Not Need a Bachelor's Degree
Air traffic controllers earn more than the typical bachelor's-degree career, with an associate degree. The occupations that pay six figures without four years of college.
- No bachelor degree
- High paying careers
- Associate degree
- Trades
- Median wage
-
Does a Master's Degree Pay Off? Barely, on Average
Group every career by the degree it requires and master's-level jobs pay a median of about $91,000, statistically tied with bachelor's-level work. The premium hides in a few fields.
- Master's degree
- Bachelor's degree
- Median wage
- Graduate school
- Career outcomes
-
Growing and Paying $80K Plus: The Careers That Do Both
Only 95 of 385 federal careers both pay a median above $80,000 and grow faster than the typical job. Here is the rare set that clears both bars.
- Career growth
- Median wage
- High-paying careers
- Job outlook
- Career change
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