Orthotist/Prosthetist
A program that prepares individuals, in consultation with physicians and other therapists, to design and fit orthoses for patients with disabling conditions of the limbs and/or spine, and prostheses for patients who have partial or total absence of a limb or significant superficial deformity. Includes instruction in biomechanics, gait analysis, pathomechanics, kinesiology, pathology, neuroanatomy, materials science, diagnostic imaging, patient analysis and measurement, impression taking, model rectification, assistive/restorative technology and engineering applications, product finishing, diagnostic and definitive fitting and alignment, power devices, postoperative management, and patient counseling and follow-up.
- Schools offering
- 10
- Annual completions
- 44
- Typical degree level
- Associate's + Bachelor's
- Median earnings (5yr)
- $56k
About this major
A program that prepares individuals, in consultation with physicians and other therapists, to design and fit orthoses for patients with disabling conditions of the limbs and/or spine, and prostheses for patients who have partial or total absence of a limb or significant superficial deformity. Includes instruction in biomechanics, gait analysis, pathomechanics, kinesiology, pathology, neuroanatomy, materials science, diagnostic imaging, patient analysis and measurement, impression taking, model rectification, assistive/restorative technology and engineering applications, product finishing, diagnostic and definitive fitting and alignment, power devices, postoperative management, and patient counseling and follow-up.
Where this major leads
Occupations most often associated with this major, from the federal BLS+O*NET crosswalk. Job-growth projections and median wages are national.
| Occupation | Median wage | Job growth | Typical education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health specialties teachers, postsecondary | $106k | +17.3% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Medical appliance technicians | $47k | +3.7% | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Orthotists and prosthetists | $78k | +13.3% | Master's degree |
Earnings at a glance
Median graduate earnings from the federal College Scorecard, 5 and 10 years out.
Median 5-year earnings
$56k
Associate's vs Bachelor's — early-career earnings
Associate's
$46k
Bachelor's
$58k
Top colleges for Orthotist/Prosthetist
Ranked by annual completions at the associate's or bachelor's level — a proxy for program scale.
| College | Location | Assoc. | Bach. | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Century College | White Bear Lake, MN | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| Joliet Junior College | Joliet, IL | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| NHTI-Concord's Community College | Concord, NH | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| Spokane Falls Community College | Spokane, WA | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| Concordia University-Saint Paul | Saint Paul, MN | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Eastern Michigan University | Ypsilanti, MI | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Oakland University | Rochester Hills, MI | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| University of Washington-Seattle Campus | Seattle, WA | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology | Okmulgee, OK | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| St Petersburg College | St. Petersburg, FL | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Related majors to explore
Rehabilitation Science
843 completions/yr
Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy
628 completions/yr
Occupational Therapy/Therapist
501 completions/yr
Music Therapy/Therapist
451 completions/yr
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions, Other
374 completions/yr
Physical Therapy/Therapist
255 completions/yr
Art Therapy/Therapist
195 completions/yr
Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling/Counselor
155 completions/yr
Considering this direction?
We've taken a hard look at the debt, earnings trajectory, and degree-level tradeoffs for the Orthotist/Prosthetist field. Read our verdict before you commit.
Is Orthotist/Prosthetist worth it? Read verdict