How much does a orthotist and prosthetist make?
The median orthotist and prosthetist in the United States earns $78,310 per year, about $37.65 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all orthotists and prosthetists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 29-2091.
Orthotist and prosthetist salary range
Pay for orthotists and prosthetists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $46,220 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $118,730. The average (mean) wage of $81,330 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $46,220 | $22.22 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $59,990 | $28.84 | |
| Median (50th) | $78,310 | $37.65 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $98,880 | $47.54 | |
| 90th percentile | $118,730 | $57.08 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for orthotists and prosthetists (SOC 29-2091), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Orthotist and prosthetist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Orthotists and prosthetists earn the most in New Jersey at $110,760 a year, and the least in Wyoming at $39,000. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $110,760 | 180 |
| Maine | $98,520 | 140 |
| Utah | $92,070 | 100 |
| California | $91,870 | 1,370 |
| Alabama | $90,690 | 50 |
| Washington | $90,240 | 420 |
| Mississippi | $89,860 | 80 |
| South Carolina | $89,860 | N/A |
| Massachusetts | $86,510 | 240 |
| Wisconsin | $86,290 | 150 |
| Nevada | $84,840 | 80 |
| Iowa | $84,340 | 70 |
| West Virginia | $83,840 | 80 |
| Rhode Island | $83,220 | N/A |
| Oklahoma | $83,080 | 100 |
| New Hampshire | $82,720 | 180 |
| Texas | $82,320 | 400 |
| Tennessee | $81,270 | 100 |
| Pennsylvania | $80,360 | 570 |
| Minnesota | $80,180 | 140 |
| Virginia | $79,970 | 180 |
| Illinois | $79,610 | 180 |
| New York | $79,180 | 410 |
| Maryland | $78,890 | 100 |
| Missouri | $78,080 | 310 |
| South Dakota | $78,000 | 40 |
| Oregon | $77,720 | 60 |
| Georgia | $76,890 | 190 |
| North Carolina | $76,270 | 460 |
| Michigan | $75,910 | 400 |
| Kansas | $74,770 | N/A |
| Arkansas | $71,550 | 90 |
| Arizona | $64,790 | 120 |
| Florida | $64,730 | 350 |
| Ohio | $62,510 | 410 |
| Colorado | $62,200 | N/A |
| Louisiana | $61,460 | 90 |
| North Dakota | $60,820 | 40 |
| Kentucky | $58,240 | N/A |
| New Mexico | $57,910 | 110 |
| Indiana | $54,970 | N/A |
| Nebraska | $51,920 | 110 |
| Connecticut | $49,770 | 50 |
| District of Columbia | $42,540 | 130 |
| Wyoming | $39,000 | 30 |
State median wages for orthotists and prosthetists (SOC 29-2091), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for orthotists and prosthetists
The BLS projects employment of orthotists and prosthetists to grow 12.9% from 2025 to 2035. That is much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 9,500 jobs in 2025 moving toward 10,700 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 700 openings a year for orthotists and prosthetists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an orthotist and prosthetist
The typical entry-level education for orthotists and prosthetists is a master's degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete an internship or residency to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an orthotist and prosthetist earns
Specialty, work setting, shift differentials, certifications, and region drive the numbers. Hospitals, surgical settings, and high cost metros pay above clinics and rural facilities.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (New Jersey, $110,760) and the lowest (Wyoming, $39,000) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 9,930 people work as orthotists and prosthetists in the United States. At $78,310 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Orthotist and prosthetist salary FAQ
How much does an orthotist and prosthetist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an orthotist and prosthetist is $37.65. The middle half of orthotists and prosthetists earn between $28.84 and $47.54 per hour.
What is the highest orthotist and prosthetist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of orthotists and prosthetists earn more than $118,730 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an orthotist and prosthetist make a year?
The median annual salary for an orthotist and prosthetist is $78,310. The average (mean) wage of $81,330 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an orthotist and prosthetist a well paid job?
At $78,310 a year, an orthotist and prosthetist earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 9,930 people work as orthotists and prosthetists in the United States.
Which state pays orthotists and prosthetists the most?
New Jersey has the highest median salary for orthotists and prosthetists at $110,760 a year. Maine ($98,520) and Utah ($92,070) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being an orthotist and prosthetist a good career?
Employment of orthotists and prosthetists is projected to grow 12.9% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 700 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an orthotist and prosthetist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for orthotists and prosthetists as a master's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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