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Orthotists and Prosthetists in North Carolina
Thinking about a career as an Orthotists and Prosthetists in North Carolina? Below are the key facts. Design, measure, fit, and adapt orthopedic braces, appliances or prostheses, such as limbs or facial parts for patients with disabling conditions.
What do Orthotists and Prosthetists Make in North Carolina?
For orthotists and prosthetists working in North Carolina, wages run about $76,270 per year (or roughly $36.67/hour).Pay can range from $37,390 at the 10th percentile to $122,690 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $37,390 | $17.98 |
| 25th percentile | $48,870 | $23.50 |
| Median (50th) | $76,270 | $36.67 |
| 75th percentile | $96,580 | $46.43 |
| 90th percentile | $122,690 | $58.99 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in North Carolina nationwide is 1.45, suggesting that orthotists and prosthetists are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, orthotists and prosthetists earn a median of $86,860 per year ($41.76/hour), below the North Carolina median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 2,935,413 orthotists and prosthetists across the United States. In North Carolina alone, around 460 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 130 orthotists and prosthetists.
Top North Carolina Metros for Orthotists and Prosthetists
The largest metro-area employers of orthotists and prosthetists in North Carolina.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 120 | $84,770 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | 50 | $76,270 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | 50 | $82,400 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | 40 | $74,410 |
Top States for Orthotists and Prosthetists Employment
The table below shows the states where the most orthotists and prosthetists work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 1,370 |
| Pennsylvania | 570 |
| North Carolina | 460 |
| Washington | 420 |
| Ohio | 410 |
| New York | 410 |
| Michigan | 400 |
| Texas | 400 |
| Florida | 350 |
| Missouri | 310 |
| Massachusetts | 240 |
| Georgia | 190 |
| Illinois | 180 |
| New Jersey | 180 |
| New Hampshire | 180 |
| Virginia | 180 |
| Wisconsin | 150 |
| Maine | 140 |
| Minnesota | 140 |
| District of Columbia | 130 |
Highest-Paying States for Orthotists and Prosthetists
The highest-paying states for orthotists and prosthetists.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | $110,760 |
| Maine | $98,520 |
| Utah | $92,070 |
| California | $91,870 |
| Alabama | $90,690 |
| Washington | $90,240 |
| Mississippi | $89,860 |
| South Carolina | $89,860 |
| Massachusetts | $86,510 |
| Wisconsin | $86,290 |
Skills
Top orthotists and prosthetists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for orthotists and prosthetists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Orthotists and Prosthetists typically:
- Fit, test, and evaluate devices on patients, and make adjustments for proper fit, function, and comfort.
- Instruct patients in the use and care of orthoses and prostheses.
- Maintain patients' records.
- Examine, interview, and measure patients to determine their appliance needs and to identify factors that could affect appliance fit.
- Select materials and components to be used, based on device design.
- Design orthopedic and prosthetic devices, based on physicians' prescriptions and examination and measurement of patients.
- Repair, rebuild, and modify prosthetic and orthopedic appliances.
- Construct and fabricate appliances, or supervise others constructing the appliances.
- Make and modify plaster casts of areas to be fitted with prostheses or orthoses to guide the device construction process.
- Confer with physicians to formulate specifications and prescriptions for orthopedic or prosthetic devices.
- Show and explain orthopedic and prosthetic appliances to healthcare workers.
- Train and supervise support staff, such as orthopedic and prosthetic assistants and technicians.
Work Activities
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Working with Computers
- Getting Information
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Processing Information
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Thinking Creatively
Tools & Technology
Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Autodesk AutoCAD
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
Related Careers
Other careers like orthotists and prosthetists include:
- Orthodontists
- Prosthodontists
- Anesthesiologist Assistants
- Podiatrists
- Physical Therapists
- Nurse Anesthetists
Also Known As
American Board Certified Orthotist (ABC Orthotist), Artificial Limb Fitter, Board Orthotist, Board Prosthetist, Certified Orthotic Fitter, Certified Orthotist (CO), Certified Pedorthist, Certified Prosthetist (CP), Certified Prosthetist Orthotist (CPO), LPO (Licensed Prosthetist Orthotist), Licensed Orthotist, Licensed Prosthetist, Orthopedic Assistant, Orthopedic Mechanic, Orthotic Clinician.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 29-2091.00