Orthotists and Prosthetists

Salaries of prosthetists and orthotists vary according to education, clinical experience, and certification. Practitioners who work on their own earn substantially more than those who work for others. These practices can be extremely lucrative, but success depends on the practitioner's ability to draw new clients to his or her business. Salaries for independent practitioners usually range from $60,000 to $120,000 per year.

For those wishing to work for the government, the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs offers highly competitive wages for orthotists and prosthetists, often starting at the GS-11 scale, which in 2020 started at $55,204 annually, but could be higher in places with locality pay. Locality pay is a supplemental amount the federal government pays for positions in a geographic area with a higher cost of living. There are at least 10 steps within each grade of pay in the federal system, which allows the opportunity for financial and professional advancement.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the May 2019 median annual salary for prosthetists and orthotists was $68,410. The lowest paid 10 percent earned $41,360 or less, and the highest paid 10 percent earned $108,130 or more.

Salaried prosthetists and orthotists usually receive benefits such as health and dental insurance, paid vacations, and the opportunity to participate in retirement plans. Self-employed prosthetists and orthotists must provide their own benefits.