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Healthcare

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 salary (BLS)

$81,110

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$46k – $120k

Job outlook

+13% (much faster than average)

AI exposure

Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $93,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.

Plan a path to Orthotists and Prosthetists

Qualification costsStack incomeBest cities/statesSchool ROIJob-posting fitTailored resume

Education

Typical entry: Master's degree

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$64,200–$231,000

Time to qualify

6.2 yr

Renewal

$75/yr

  1. 1

    Bachelor's degree

    Degree

    Four years at public in-state rates — average published tuition & fees ≈ $11,610/yr, plus books. Private and out-of-state run higher; grant aid lowers most students' actual net price.

    $40,000–$150,000 · 4 years source

  2. 2

    Master's degree

    Degree

    Typically two years; average graduate tuition ≈ $20,000/yr at public universities (NCES).

    $24,000–$80,000 · 2 years source

  3. 3

    National & state licensure

    License

    A national board/registry exam plus a state license application (the NCLEX pattern). Exact exam and fees depend on the role and state.

    $200–$1,000 · 2 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Orthotists and Prosthetists" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Orthotists and Prosthetists

    Entry / Junior

    $46,350

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Orthotists and Prosthetists

    Established

    $81,110

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Orthotists and Prosthetists

    Senior

    $100,460

Key skills

A typical day

  • •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.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Healthcare

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.