Orthotists and prosthetists design, fit, and manage devices that help people move, function, and live independently. You'll need a master's degree and extensive preparation, but you'll work directly with patients in a field that combines healthcare, design, and problem-solving.
Pathly builds you a free, personalized roadmap and helps your counselor champion you along the way.
Orthotists and prosthetists create and fit custom devices like braces, artificial limbs, and orthotic supports that help patients regain mobility and independence. You'll work directly with people, documenting their needs and making decisions about device design and adjustments. The work involves understanding anatomy, medicine, and therapy principles. You'll communicate with patients, supervisors, and other healthcare professionals, use computers for design and documentation, and continuously monitor how well devices work for each person.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Orthotists and Prosthetists earn a median of $81,110 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is strong. Employment is projected to grow 13 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than average for all occupations, with about 900 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
This career requires a master's degree and extensive preparation. You'll study customer service, medicine, therapy and counseling, design, and psychology. The path involves developing strong critical thinking, reading comprehension, active listening, and writing skills. You'll need to engage in active learning throughout your education and career, as the field requires staying current with new materials, technologies, and techniques. Plan for significant academic and clinical training before you're ready to work independently.
Most paths to this career start with a strong science background and lead through a master's program. Since the education timeline is substantial, Pathly can map the orthotist and prosthetist path that fits you with your counselor to map out prerequisites, program options, and what comes after graduation.
Many orthotist and prosthetists must be licensed, and professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
Licensing is handled at the state level and the requirements vary, so check the licensing board in your state. Pathly shows your state's specific steps inside your roadmap.
You're drawn to realistic work: building, fixing, and designing things that solve tangible problems. You enjoy working with your hands and seeing direct results from your efforts.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
Start with a quick quiz and assessments that surface your personality, your EQ, and what really motivates you, so your next steps are built around who you actually are.
Your free AI guide weighs this career against your strengths and goals, and surfaces the colleges, trades, and scholarships that match, so you know if it truly fits before you commit.
Get a personalized, step-by-step plan to reach this career, with the training, coursework, and credentials tracked in one place. Link your school or IEC and your counselor in the loop.
Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).