by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 2 U.S. colleges awarded 22 degrees and certificates in Orthopedic Technology. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 82% of graduates. Graduates earn a median $68,190 one year after completing, rising to $77,808 after four years.
A degree in Orthopedic Technology involves the study of A Program That Prepares Individuals, Under The Supervision Of Physicians, To Cast, Splint, And Brace Orthopedic Injuries. Includes Instruction In Patient Assessment; Casting, Splinting, And Orthopedic Appliances; Radiographic Interpretation; Traction; And Wound Care.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., orthopedic technology draws strong interest, with 22 degrees awarded annually. 2 colleges award orthopedic technology degrees, an average of 11 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 12.
By level, the 22 awards include 1 certificates, 3 associate degrees and 18 master’s degrees.
Women earned 86% of orthopedic technology degrees and certificates in the latest year (19 of 22). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (16) and Black or African American (5).
The most common orthopedic technology credential is the master’s degree: 18 of the 22 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to orthopedic technology call most for Active Listening, Speaking and Reading Comprehension, and for knowledge of Customer and Personal Service, Medicine and Dentistry and English Language, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Written Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an orthopedic technology degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 1 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 3 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 18 |
Postsecondary certificate is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to orthopedic technology, at 19.2%.
| Level of Education | Percentage 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: O*NET Online.
5 occupations are related to Orthopedic Technology, with an average median salary of $96,631; the strongest outlook belongs to Neurodiagnostic Technologists, at 14.1% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Medical Technologist, Polysomnographic Technologist, Patient Registrar and Intake Specialist.
The occupation related to orthopedic technology with the most projected jobs is Patient Representatives, at 3,368,169.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Patient Representatives | 3,368,169 | 4.8% |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | 3,206,816 | 12.2% |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technologists | 2,908,248 | 9.4% |
| Neurodiagnostic Technologists | 1,852,560 | 14.1% |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
Orthopedic Technology graduates earn a median $68,190 one year after completing their program, $77,808 after four years and $70,516 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $68,190 |
| 4 years | $77,808 |
| 5 years | $70,516 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to orthopedic technology is Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other, with a median salary of $153,940.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $153,940 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technologists | $153,819 |
| Neurodiagnostic Technologists | $81,316 |
| Patient Representatives | $47,419 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
Orthopedic Technology has 21 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 98,452 degrees a year; the largest are Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic) (32,528), Physician Associate/Assistant (13,743) and Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiographer (13,037). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
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