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orthopedic technology

Types of Degrees orthopedic technology Majors Are Earning

Those studying orthopedic technology may pursue degrees at several award levels.

Award Level	Graduates
Master’s Degree	22

What orthopedic technology Majors Need to Know

Studies in orthopedic technology emphasize a specific mix of knowledge, skills, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in occupations that orthopedic technology graduates commonly enter.

Knowledge Areas

This major prepares you for careers needing orthopedic technology emphasizes the following knowledge areas:

• Customer and Personal Service — Importance 4.2 / 5; level 5.1 / 7.
• Medicine and Dentistry — Importance 4.0 / 5; level 3.7 / 7.
• English Language — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 3.9 / 7.
• Education and Training — Importance 3.5 / 5; level 4.1 / 7.
• Computers and Electronics — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 3.8 / 7.

^{Importance is rated 1–5; level is 1–7. Source: ONET Online — weighted across related occupations.*}

Skills

Skills built by a orthopedic technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:

• Active Listening — Importance 4.0 / 5; level 4.1 / 7.
• Speaking — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 4.1 / 7.
• Reading Comprehension — Importance 3.7 / 5; level 4.1 / 7.
• Social Perceptiveness — Importance 3.6 / 5; level 3.6 / 7.
• Critical Thinking — Importance 3.6 / 5; level 3.8 / 7.

Abilities

Innate abilities most relevant to orthopedic technology careers — again drawn from O*NET surveys of related occupations:

• Oral Expression — Importance 4.1 / 5; level 4.2 / 7.
• Oral Comprehension — Importance 4.0 / 5; level 4.1 / 7.
• Written Comprehension — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 3.9 / 7.
• Near Vision — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 3.9 / 7.
• Problem Sensitivity — Importance 3.7 / 5; level 3.8 / 7.

Common Job Activities

Day-to-day, orthopedic technology graduates report doing:

Activity	Frequency / Importance
Getting Information	4.6 / 7
Documenting/Recording Information	4.4 / 7
Assisting and Caring for Others	4.4 / 7
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates	4.3 / 7
Working with Computers	4.3 / 7
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships	4.3 / 7
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge	4.2 / 7
Making Decisions and Solving Problems	4.1 / 7
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events	4.0 / 7
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public	3.9 / 7

Technology Skills Used on the Job

Most frequently-cited tools used by orthopedic technology professionals:

Tool / Software	Category	In-Demand
Microsoft Word	Word processing software	—
Microsoft Office software	Office suite software	✓
Microsoft Excel	Spreadsheet software	✓
Web browser software	Internet browser software	—
Word processing software	Word processing software	—
Microsoft Outlook	Electronic mail software	✓
Microsoft PowerPoint	Presentation software	—
Database software	Data base user interface and query software	—
Scheduling software	Calendar and scheduling software	—
Microsoft Windows	Operating system software	—
MEDITECH software	Medical software	—
Healthcare common procedure coding system HCPCS	Medical software	—

^{Source: ONET Online technology skills, weighted across related occupations.*}

Sample Job Titles

Real job postings for orthopedic technology graduates include:

• Medical Technologist
• Polysomnographic Technologist
• Care Navigator
• Patient Access Specialist
• PCT (Patient Care Technician)
• Case Manager
• Patient Partner
• Patient Care Representative (Patient Care Rep)
• Patient Relations Representative (PRR)
• Patient Ombudsperson
• Patient Service Specialist
• Patient Account Representative
• Registrar
• Admissions Coordinator
• Healthcare Registrar

Education Typically Required

Across the occupations open to orthopedic technology graduates, the typical level of education actually held by current workers is distributed as:

Education Level	Share of Workers
Postsecondary certificate	19.2%
High school diploma or equivalent	19.0%
Associate’s degree (or other 2-year)	16.8%
Bachelor’s degree	15.0%
Master’s degree	13.6%
Some college courses	7.4%
Doctoral degree	3.5%
Post-baccalaureate certificate	3.1%
Post-doctoral training	2.7%

^{Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*}

Who Is Earning a Degree in orthopedic technology?

Gender Distribution

This field skews predominantly female, with women earning 86.4% of orthopedic technology degrees.

Gender	Graduates	Share
Women	19	86.4%
Men	3	13.6%

Racial-Ethnic Diversity

At the national level, the racial-ethnic distribution of orthopedic technology graduates is as follows:

Race / Ethnicity	Graduates	Share
White	3	13.6%
Asian	1	4.5%
Hispanic or Latino	1	4.5%
Black or African American	15	68.2%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	1	4.5%
International Students	1	4.5%

^{See minority definition below.}

How Much Do orthopedic technology Graduates Earn?

College Scorecard reports median earnings of orthopedic technology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise steadily as graduates gain experience and move into mid-career roles.

Years Out	Median Earnings
1 year	$67,845
4 years	$61,295
5 years	$69,015

By year 5 out, median earnings rise to $69,015 — roughly 2% above the 1-year mark.

^{Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.}

Is a Degree in orthopedic technology Worth It?

Strictly by the federal earnings tracker, orthopedic technology graduates earn a median of $61,295 four years after completion — roughly 61% above the national median for workers with only a high school diploma (~$38,000).

^{ROI estimate compares the program’s 4-yr median earnings against the 2023 BLS CPS median earnings for high-school-only workers. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard + BLS Current Population Survey.}

Related Programs

You may also be interested in these closely related fields of study:

Program	CIP Code
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions	51.09
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions, Other	51.0999
Athletic Training/Trainer	51.0913
Cardiopulmonary Technology/Technologist	51.0915
Cardiovascular Technology/Technologist	51.0901
Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician	51.0910
Electrocardiograph Technology/Technician	51.0902
Electroneurodiagnostic/Electroencephalographic Technology/Technologist	51.0903
Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic)	51.0904
Gene/Genetic Therapy	51.0914
Hearing Instrument Specialist	51.0918
Hyperbaric Medicine Technology/Technician	51.0921

References

The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students and international students. This number is then divided by the total number of students to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.

• College Factual
• National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)
• O*NET Online
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard

More about our data sources and methodologies.