Medical Appliance Technicians
Machines can already do 20% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 57%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Medical Appliance Technicians in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 20% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2034, and 57% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 11,280 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $48,030 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 75% for contact with people.
- Also called: Certified Orthotist (CO), Certified Pedorthotist, Certified Prosthetist (CP), Hearing Aid Repair Technician (Hearing Aid Repair Tech).
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Make orthotic or prosthetic devices, using materials such as thermoplastic and thermosetting materials, metal alloys and leather, and hand or power tools | 18% | 20% to 60% | |
| Repair, modify, or maintain medical supportive devices, such as artificial limbs, braces, or surgical supports, according to specifications | 10% | 3% to 30% | |
| Bend, form, and shape fabric or material to conform to prescribed contours of structural components | 10% | 20% to 60% | |
| Construct or receive casts or impressions of patients' torsos or limbs for use as cutting and fabrication patterns | 9% | 20% to 60% | |
| Drill and tap holes for rivets, and glue, weld, bolt, or rivet parts together to form prosthetic or orthotic devices | 9% | 20% to 60% | |
| Polish artificial limbs, braces, or supports, using grinding and buffing wheels | 6% | 20% to 60% | |
| Cover or pad metal or plastic structures or devices, using coverings such as rubber, leather, felt, plastic, or fiberglass | 6% | 20% to 60% | |
| Fit appliances onto patients, and make any necessary adjustments | 6% | 3% to 30% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills medical appliance technicians use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics50% of tasks by 2035 · US median $64,520
- Rail Car Repairers40% of tasks by 2035 · US median $67,530
- Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers56% of tasks by 2035 · US median $56,210
- Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners34% of tasks by 2035 · US median $46,420
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Medical Appliance Technicians?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2034. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of medical appliance technicians?
Machines can do 20% of the tasks of medical appliance technicians today and 57% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 51-9082.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Medical Appliance Technicians: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/medical-appliance-technicians/