Orthotists and Prosthetists
Machines can already do 18% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 40%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Orthotists and Prosthetists in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 18% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2039, and 40% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 9,390 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $81,110 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 87% for contact with people.
- Also called: Certified Orthotist (CO), Certified Pedorthist, Certified Prosthetist (CP), Certified Prosthetist Orthotist (CPO).
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fit, test, and evaluate devices on patients, and make adjustments for proper fit, function, and comfort | 25% | 3% to 25% | |
| Examine, interview, and measure patients to determine their appliance needs and to identify factors that could affect appliance fit | 14% | 3% to 25% | |
| Maintain patients' records | 12% | 63% to 81% | |
| Instruct patients in the use and care of orthoses and prostheses | 7% | 22% to 42% | |
| Repair, rebuild, and modify prosthetic and orthopedic appliances | 7% | 3% to 25% | |
| Construct and fabricate appliances, or supervise others constructing the appliances | 7% | 18% to 51% | |
| Design orthopedic and prosthetic devices, based on physicians' prescriptions and examination and measurement of patients | 6% | 32% to 55% | |
| Make and modify plaster casts of areas to be fitted with prostheses or orthoses to guide the device construction process | 5% | 3% to 25% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills orthotists and prosthetists use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Respiratory Therapists38% of tasks by 2035 · US median $82,280
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists34% of tasks by 2035 · US median $61,770
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Orthotists and Prosthetists?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2039. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of orthotists and prosthetists?
Machines can do 18% of the tasks of orthotists and prosthetists today and 40% 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 29-2091.00 (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). Orthotists and Prosthetists: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/orthotists-and-prosthetists/