# Orthotists and Prosthetists

US SOC code 29-2091. Markdown version of https://futurehistory.earth/timeline/29-2091

Also called: Orthotist, Prosthetist, Certified prosthetist-orthotist, CPO, Certified prosthetist.

## In brief

In May 2025, [BLS](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip) counted **9,390** US orthotists and prosthetists, with median pay of **$81,110** a year. Of the BLS counts since 2003, the highest was **10,410**, in May 2021. The earliest figure here is [an estimate](https://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/lifeandlimb/honorablescars.html) of **500** from 1870, not measured the same way as today's count. The last full technology era for orthotists and prosthetists: 3D scanning and CAD/CAM socket design, 2010 to 2022. CAD/CAM adoption allowed O&P practitioners to see more patients per day by reducing plaster casting and bench rectification time.

## What the sources say

### Official outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 12.9% from 2025 to 2035. Source: [BLS Employment Projections 2025-35](https://data.bls.gov/projections/nationalMatrix?queryParams=29-2091&ioType=o).

### AI exposure studies

- **19%** of this job's tasks are exposed to large language models. Not a forecast of job losses. [Eloundou and others, 2023](https://github.com/openai/GPTs-are-GPTs/blob/main/data/occ_level.csv)

Data as of BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025-35. BLS publishes these counts as yearly survey snapshots and cautions against reading them as a precise trend. In May 2021 BLS changed how it estimates these counts (a model-based method using three years of survey data) and moved fully to the 2018 occupation codes, so part of a change across 2021 can come from the method rather than the work.

## Orthotists and Prosthetists employment and pay by year

- On record since: 1861
- Latest US employment: 9,390 (May 2025). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 [4]
- Latest US median pay: $81,110 (May 2025). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 [5]
- Outlook: +12.9% by 2035. Source: BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 [21]

### All 26 years of cited US data

| Year | US employment | Annual pay (median unless marked) | Source |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1870 | 500 (estimate) | n/a | Est., U.S. National Library of Medicine [1] |
| 1948 | 2,500 (estimate) | n/a | Est., American Board for Certification in… [2] |
| 1995 | 5,600 (estimate) | n/a | Est., American Orthotic and Prosthetic… [3] |
| 2003 | 4,880 | $49,710 | BLS OEWS May 2003 [4] |
| 2004 | 4,930 | $50,260 | BLS OEWS May 2004 [4] |
| 2005 | 5,190 | $53,760 | BLS OEWS May 2005 [4] |
| 2006 | 5,290 | $58,980 | BLS OEWS May 2006 [4] |
| 2007 | 5,600 | $60,520 | BLS OEWS May 2007 [4] |
| 2008 | 5,490 | $62,590 | BLS OEWS May 2008 [4] |
| 2009 | 5,470 | $62,070 | BLS OEWS May 2009 [4] |
| 2010 | 5,940 | $65,060 | BLS OEWS May 2010 [4] |
| 2011 | 6,860 | $65,250 | BLS OEWS May 2011 [4] |
| 2012 | 7,890 | $62,670 | BLS OEWS May 2012 [4] |
| 2013 | 8,330 | $62,970 | BLS OEWS May 2013 [4] |
| 2014 | 7,830 | $64,040 | BLS OEWS May 2014 [4] |
| 2015 | 7,100 | $64,430 | BLS OEWS May 2015 [4] |
| 2016 | 7,500 | $65,630 | BLS OEWS May 2016 (employment) [4]; BLS OEWS May 2016 (pay) [7] |
| 2017 | 7,840 | $66,240 | BLS OEWS May 2017 (employment) [4]; BLS OEWS May 2017 (pay) [7] |
| 2018 | 8,830 | $69,120 | BLS OEWS May 2018 (employment) [4]; BLS OEWS May 2018 (pay) [7] |
| 2019 | 9,830 | $68,410 | BLS OEWS May 2019 (employment) [4]; BLS OEWS May 2019 (pay) [7] |
| 2020 | 9,550 | $70,190 | BLS OEWS May 2020 (employment) [4]; BLS OEWS May 2020 (pay) [7] |
| 2021 | 10,410 | $75,440 | BLS OEWS May 2021 (employment) [4]; BLS OEWS May 2021 (pay) [7] |
| 2022 | 9,150 | $77,070 | BLS OEWS May 2022 (employment) [4]; BLS OEWS May 2022 (pay) [7] |
| 2023 | 8,820 | $78,100 | BLS OEWS May 2023 [4] |
| 2024 | 9,930 | $78,310 | BLS OEWS May 2024 [4] |
| 2025 | 9,390 | $81,110 | BLS OEWS May 2025 [4] |

## Sources (82)

### Employment series

1. [National Library of Medicine / NIH Exhibition — "Life and Limb: The Toll of the American Civil War" (Honorable Scars section: government funding and industry scale)](https://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/lifeandlimb/honorablescars.html), U.S. National Library of Medicine
2. [American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics (ABC) — History: ABC established September 9, 1948; first certification exam 1951, 51 individuals certified](https://www.abcop.org/who-we-are/history), American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics
3. [American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) History — nearly 6,000 certified practitioners under ABC reported in association historical overview; profession grew through 1990s on Medicare expansion and Vietnam-era veteran aging](https://aopanet.org/about-aopa/history/), American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association
4. BLS OEWS, national cross-industry estimates (flat file), Bureau of Labor Statistics. Editions: [2003](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm03nat.zip), [2004](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm04nat.zip), [2005](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm05nat.zip), [2006](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm06nat.zip), [2007](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm07nat.zip), [2008](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm08nat.zip), [2009](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm09nat.zip), [2010](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm10nat.zip), [2011](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm11nat.zip), [2012](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm12nat.zip), [2013](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm13nat.zip), [2014](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm14nat.zip), [2015](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm15nat.zip), [2016](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm16nat.zip), [2017](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm17nat.zip), [2018](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm18nat.zip), [2019](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm19nat.zip), [2020](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm20nat.zip), [2021](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm21nat.zip), [2022](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm22nat.zip), [2023](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm23nat.zip), [2024](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm24nat.zip), [2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip)

### Wage series

5. BLS OEWS, national cross-industry estimates (flat file), Bureau of Labor Statistics. Editions: [2003](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm03nat.zip), [2004](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm04nat.zip), [2005](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm05nat.zip), [2006](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm06nat.zip), [2007](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm07nat.zip), [2008](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm08nat.zip), [2009](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm09nat.zip), [2010](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm10nat.zip), [2011](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm11nat.zip), [2023](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm23nat.zip), [2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip)
6. BLS OEWS, national cross-industry estimates (flat file), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Editions: [2012](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm12nat.zip), [2013](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm13nat.zip), [2014](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm14nat.zip), [2015](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm15nat.zip), [2024](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm24nat.zip)
7. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS),, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Editions: [2016](https://www.bls.gov/oes/2016/may/oes292091.htm), [2017](https://www.bls.gov/oes/2017/may/oes292091.htm), [2018](https://www.bls.gov/oes/2018/may/oes292091.htm), [2019](https://www.bls.gov/oes/2019/may/oes292091.htm), [2020](https://www.bls.gov/oes/2020/may/oes292091.htm), [2021](https://www.bls.gov/oes/2021/may/oes292091.htm), [2022](https://www.bls.gov/oes/2022/may/oes292091.htm)

### Tool eras

8. [ASME — "The Civil War and the Birth of the US Prosthetics Industry": rubber hands, modular attachments, government contracting, and early manufacturers documented](https://www.asme.org/topics-resources/content/the-civil-war-and-birth-of-us-prosthetics-industry), American Society of Mechanical Engineers
9. [National Museum of Civil War Medicine — "After the Amputation: Prosthetic Limbs of the Civil War": wood, leather, and steel construction methods documented](https://www.civilwarmed.org/prosthetics/), National Museum of Civil War Medicine
10. [Long Life O&P — "The History of Orthotic and Prosthetic Professions": interwar material innovations and plaster casting documented in industry history overview](https://www.llop.com/history-orthotic-prosthetics/), Long Life Orthotics and Prosthetics
11. [ResearchGate / Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics — "The Concept of an Entry-Level Interdisciplinary Graduate Degree Preparing Orthotists for the New Millennium Part 1: History of Orthotic and Prosthetic Education": UCLA 1952 first course, government investment 1947, thermoplastic introduction documented](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/239318007_The_Concept_of_an_Entry-Level_Interdisciplinary_Graduate_Degree_Preparing_Orthotists_for_the_New_Millennium_Part_1_History_of_Orthotic_and_Prosthetic_Education), ResearchGate / Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics
12. [American Board for Certification (ABC) History — educational standards elevated to bachelor's degree 1986; professional credentialing milestones documented](https://www.abcop.org/who-we-are/history), American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics
13. [Prosthetic Orb — "The History of Orthotic: A Comprehensive Overview of Innovation in the Industry": composite materials including fiberglass and carbon fiber documented in 1970s O&P innovation history](https://prostheticorb.com/index.php/2022/08/30/the-history-of-orthotic-a-comprehensive-overview-of-innovation-in-the-industry/), Prosthetic Orb
14. [JNER Vol. 22, 2025 — "AI-Driven Gait Analysis and Socket Optimization in Lower Limb Prosthetics": microprocessor knee history and clinical programming requirements reviewed](https://link.springer.com/journal/12984?error=cookies_not_supported&code=3b1416fe-9312-4c09-b415-628dd5565ae9), Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation
15. [Ottobock — C-Leg 4 and Genium X3: AI gait adaptation using real-time ML classification; Ottobock press releases 2024-2025; JNER 2025](https://www.ottobock.com/), Ottobock
16. [Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics (JPO) Vol. 37, 2025 — "3D Scanning and CAD/CAM in O&P Practice": 40-60% reduction in socket rectification time vs. plaster casting documented](https://journals.lww.com/jpojournal/), Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics / LWW
17. [Vorum Research — Canfit CAD system with AI socket rectification and Tracer 3D scanner; cloud-based design collaboration; OandP.com industry coverage 2025](https://qwadra.com/), Vorum Research
18. [AOPA — "AI and Technology in O&P Practice" (2025): 3D scanning, CAD/CAM, AI gait analysis, AI socket optimization transforming fabrication; documentation identified as primary AI augmentation opportunity; fitting, patient assessment, ambulation training, and functional alignment remain irreducible licensed O&P scope](https://aopa.org/), American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association
19. [Rodin4D — AI-driven socket design software with ML shape correction engine trained on lower limb residual limb scans; O&P Business News 2025](https://qwadra.com/fr/), Rodin4D
20. [Coapt Engineering — Complete Control AI pattern-recognition myoelectric prosthetic control: ML classifies EMG for multi-function prosthetic hand control; O&P practitioners program and calibrate at fitting; JPO 2025](https://coaptengineering.com/), Coapt Engineering

### Forecasts and exposure studies

21. [BLS Employment Projections 2025-35, National Employment Matrix: 29-2091 Orthotists and prosthetists (2025: 9.5 thousand; 2035: 10.7 thousand; +12.9%)](https://data.bls.gov/projections/nationalMatrix?queryParams=29-2091&ioType=o), Bureau of Labor Statistics
22. [Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin & Rock (2023), "GPTs are GPTs", occupation-level exposure data occ\_level.csv (O\*NET-SOC 29-2091.00, human-rated β 0.19)](https://github.com/openai/GPTs-are-GPTs/blob/main/data/occ_level.csv), OpenAI

### Historical notes

23. [NIH NLM Exhibition — "Life and Limb: The Toll of the American Civil War" (Honorable Scars section)](https://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/lifeandlimb/honorablescars.html), U.S. National Library of Medicine
24. [AOPA History — Artificial Limb Manufacturers and Brace Association founded April 15, 1917; 12 manufacturers summoned by Council of National Defense](https://aopanet.org/about-aopa/history/), American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association
25. [American Board for Certification (ABC) History — founded September 9, 1948 by Haddan, Korrady, Fawver, and Stolpe; first exam 1951; 51 certified](https://www.abcop.org/who-we-are/history), American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics
26. [ResearchGate / JPO — "History of Orthotic and Prosthetic Education": UCLA 1952 first formal coordinated education; government $1M annual investment in NAS-NRC research program from 1947](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/239318007_The_Concept_of_an_Entry-Level_Interdisciplinary_Graduate_Degree_Preparing_Orthotists_for_the_New_Millennium_Part_1_History_of_Orthotic_and_Prosthetic_Education), ResearchGate / Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics
27. [AOPA — AI and Technology in O&P Practice (2025): Medicare LCD update for lower limb prosthetics expanding coverage for AI-adaptive microprocessor knees referenced in context of practitioner specialty certification demand](https://aopa.org/), American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association

### Predecessors & successors

28. [ASME — "The Civil War and the Birth of the US Prosthetics Industry": Civil War limb makers as direct professional predecessors of modern O&P](https://www.asme.org/topics-resources/content/the-civil-war-and-birth-of-us-prosthetics-industry), American Society of Mechanical Engineers
29. [AOPA History — Artificial Limb Manufacturers and Brace Association founded 1917; brace makers and limb makers unified under one industry organization](https://aopanet.org/about-aopa/history/), American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association

### Present-day analysis

- [O\*NET 30.3 — Orthotists and Prosthetists (29-2091.00): tasks, work activities, technology skills, knowledge domains, employment data](https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-2091.00), accessed 2026-05-24
- [BLS OOH — Orthotists and Prosthetists: 11,300 employed 2024; +16% growth 2024-2034 (much faster than average); 1,400 new jobs per year projected; median wage $77,810](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/orthotists-and-prosthetists.htm), accessed 2026-05-24
- [AOPA — AI and Technology in O&P Practice (2025): 3D scanning, CAD/CAM, AI gait analysis, and AI socket optimization transforming fabrication workflows; fitting, patient assessment, ambulation training, and functional alignment identified as irreducible licensed O&P clinical core](https://aopa.org/), accessed 2026-05-24
- [Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics (JPO) Vol. 37, 2025 — "3D Scanning and CAD/CAM in O&P Practice": 40-60% reduction in socket rectification time vs. plaster casting; clinical fitting and alignment refinement still require O&P practitioner hands-on assessment throughout multi-visit fitting process](https://journals.lww.com/jpojournal/), accessed 2026-05-24
- [JNER Vol. 22, 2025 — "AI-Driven Gait Analysis and Socket Optimization in Lower Limb Prosthetics": AI tools reshape fabrication and fitting workflows; clinical prescription, individualized functional alignment, ambulation training, and outcome monitoring remain licensed O&P scope](https://link.springer.com/journal/12984?error=cookies_not_supported&code=3b1416fe-9312-4c09-b415-628dd5565ae9), accessed 2026-05-24
- [Eloundou et al. 2024 — GPTs are GPTs (Science): occupational LLM exposure framework; Orthotists and Prosthetists raw LLM exposure β̃₁=0.28, β̃₂=0.46 (moderate)](https://arxiv.org/abs/2303.10130), accessed 2026-05-24
- [NCOPE 2025 — National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education: CAD/CAM fabrication, 3D printing, and digital scanning now required curriculum components in NCOPE-accredited O&P residency programs (2025 standards update)](https://ncope.org/), accessed 2026-05-24
- [Brightree O&P — AI-assisted documentation module for O&P EHR: LMN templates and prior-auth narrative generation for custom prosthetics and orthotics; Brightree press releases 2024-2025](https://www.brightree.com/orthotics-and-prosthetics/), accessed 2026-05-24
- [Vorum Research — Canfit CAD system with AI socket rectification: AI shape correction trained on thousands of residual limb scans; cloud-based design collaboration between O&P clinic and fabrication lab; Vorum press releases 2024-2025; OandP.com industry coverage 2025](https://qwadra.com/), accessed 2026-05-24
- [Rodin4D — AI-driven socket design software: ML shape correction engine trained on lower limb residual limb scans; automated rectification suggestions from 3D scan input; integrated with 3D printing workflows; O&P Business News 2025](https://qwadra.com/fr/), accessed 2026-05-24
- [Mecuris — NexStep online 3D-printed prosthetic and orthotic component platform: O&P practitioners customize prefabricated digital designs and order patient-specific 3D-printed components; Mecuris press releases 2024-2025; Prosthetics and Orthotics International 2025](https://www.mecuris.com/), accessed 2026-05-24

How to read these figures: https://futurehistory.earth/methodology. Every figure links to its own source; gaps stay gaps.