Orthotic and Prosthetic Technicians

Employment for orthotic and prosthetic technicians is expected to grow by approximately 11 percent through 2028, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), which is much faster than average. Additionally, the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists reports that orthotic and prosthetic technicians who receive formal training and certification have a very high employment rate. Additionally, the DOL says that "an aging baby-boomer population will create a need for medical appliance technicians because diabetes and cardiovascular disease, the two leading causes of limb loss, are more likely to occur as people age. The demand for orthotic devices, such as braces and orthopedic footwear, will increase because older people tend to need these supportive devices."

The need for technicians is driven by the growth of the health care industry, increasing access to medical and rehabilitation care through private and public insurance programs, improving technologies, and our country's aging population. According to a study prepared for the National Commission on Prosthetic Education, the aging baby boomer population will largely increase the demand for both orthotists and prosthetists. The nonprofit organization Amputee Coalition reported on its Web site that as of 2020, there were 2.1 million people in the U.S. living with limb loss, and that number was projected to double by 2050.