by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Orthotist/Prosthetist involves the study of 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. Read on to learn the important information every orthotist/prosthetist major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering orthotist/prosthetist programs.
Across the country, orthotist/prosthetist draws strong interest, with 408 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Orthotist/Prosthetist Schools ranking analyzes these 16 schools to determine the best overall colleges for orthotist/prosthetist students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of orthotist/prosthetist programs later in this article.
Studies in Orthotist/Prosthetist develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations orthotist/prosthetist graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a orthotist/prosthetist program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a orthotist/prosthetist major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several orthotist/prosthetist degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 46 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 38 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 7 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 317 |
People currently working in careers related to orthotist/prosthetist tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 69.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 8.0% |
| Doctoral degree | 6.7% |
| Post-doctoral training | 5.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.6% |
| Some college courses | 0.7% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.5% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in orthotist/prosthetist careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in orthotist/prosthetist opens doors to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to orthotist/prosthetist.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to orthotist/prosthetist.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Orthotists and Prosthetists | 3,021,997 | 2.9% |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Medical Appliance Technicians | 384,787 | 8.4% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of orthotist/prosthetist graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $67,332 |
| 4 years | $70,102 |
| 5 years | $75,167 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for orthotist/prosthetist graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers orthotist/prosthetist grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Orthotists and Prosthetists | $86,860 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
| Medical Appliance Technicians | $29,828 |
With 16 different orthotist/prosthetist programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased orthotist/prosthetist school rankings to help you.
Students interested in orthotist/prosthetist, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
