Orthotists and Prosthetists
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
The work starts with examining, interviewing, and measuring patients to see what brace or prosthesis they need and what might affect the fit. Devices are designed from those measurements and a physician's prescription, then built or modified from chosen materials and components. Fitting sessions involve testing the appliance on the patient and adjusting it for function and comfort, plus teaching them how to use and care for it. Records are kept, and older appliances are repaired or rebuilt as needed. Suits people who like precise, hands-on work with materials and patients, and who can explain care clearly while judging fit.
Typical education: Master’s Degree
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$81'110
Median Wage Market Position
$81'110
What you might do
- Measure patients to plan braces and prostheses
- Design custom braces and artificial limbs
- Fit and adjust devices until they work well
- Build appliances or oversee their construction
- Teach patients how to use their devices
- Repair and modify existing braces and prostheses
Skills that matter
- Listening as patients describe fit problems
- Reading physician prescriptions for devices
- Designing braces and prosthetic limbs
- Explaining use and care to patients
- Choosing materials for each appliance
- Recording fittings and patient notes
AI & the future of this role
Custom braces and prostheses require precise measuring, fitting, and patient-specific judgment that is hard to automate. AI could aid design modeling, yet in-person assessment and device adjustment are likely to keep this role fairly secure.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details