Orthopedic Technician: Career and Salary Facts

Research what it takes to become an orthopedic technician. Learn about education requirements, job duties, wages and job outlook to find out if this is the career for you.

What Is an Orthopedic Technician?

An orthopedic technician serves as an assistant to an orthopedist, which is a doctor who treats musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. They construct and apply medical devices, like braces and foot arch supports, that help patients recover from injuries and manage diseases and disorders related to muscles and bones. If a device breaks or fits improperly, they may also repair it. Some work specifically for orthopedic surgeons, so they assist with aspects of musculoskeletal operations and procedures.

The following chart gives you an overview about becoming an orthopedic technician.

Degree Required	Post-secondary certificate or associate's degree
Education Field of Study	Orthopedic technician
Key Responsibilities	Apply splints and casts to immobilize affected body part; apply traction devices on cast or using bed traction units; adjust traction devices as needed; adjust casts and bandages as needed
Licensure and/or Certification	Professional certification is available
Job Growth (2020-2030)	14% for all medical appliance technicians*
Median Salary (2021)	$47,737**

Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, **Salary.com

What Will I Do as an Orthopedic Technician?

Orthopedic technicians assist orthopedic surgeons by applying and removing casts or splints, setting up traction devices and adjusting medical equipment, like crutches or walkers. As an orthopedic technician, you'll also show patients how to safely use this equipment and make minor repairs or adjustments if necessary. In some cases, you may act as first assistant to an orthopedic surgeon in the operating room or interpret patient X-rays. Technicians usually work in health clinics, hospitals and private offices of physicians.

Where Can I Find a Training Program?

Programs for aspiring orthopedic technicians are available at community and technical colleges. Most of these programs take 1-2 years to complete and lead to a certificate or an associate's degree in orthopedic technology. Topics of study include splinting and casting techniques, orthopedic physiology and patient documentation. Most programs require completion of a clinical practicum in order to graduate.

What Certifications Are Available?

While certification isn't required in order to work as an orthopedic technician, earning a professional credential can lead to additional career opportunities. The National Board for Certification of Orthopaedic Technologists, Inc. offers the Orthopaedic Technologist Certified (OTC) and Orthopaedic Technologist-Surgery Certified (OT-SC) credentials.

You're qualified to take the OTC certification exam after completing an orthopedic technology training program. You can also take this exam if you have two years of work experience in orthopedics under the guidance of a physician. The OT-SC credential is designed for professionals who have at least one year of experience in surgical assisting and possess the OTC designation.

What's the Career Outlook?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), orthopedic technicians are categorized as medical appliance technicians. From 2020-2030, the number of employed medical appliance technicians is expected to grow by 14%, reports the BLS (www.bls.gov).

Salary.com notes that orthopedic technicians earned a median salary of $47,737 as of December 2021; most technicians in this field earned between $42,285 and $54,617 per year. Salary.com figures don't include bonuses or other forms of compensation.

What Are Some Related Alternative Careers?

If you are interested in a job making medical appliances, you could also think about becoming an ophthalmic lab technician. In this job, you would make prescription glasses and contact lenses to solve people's vision problems. Another option would be to work as a dental laboratory technician, where you would construct dentures, crowns and bridges based on impressions of people's mouths. For any of these jobs, you usually need to have completed a postsecondary certificate or associate's degree program.