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For Educators: Military Resources

Medical Appliance Technicians

Median Salary
44,960
Job Outlook
-1%

Overview

What are the responsibilities of this role?

Construct, maintain, or repair medical supportive devices such as braces, orthotics and prosthetic devices, joints, arch supports, and other surgical and medical appliances.

What is the job outlook?

Overall employment of dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians is projected to decline 1 percent from 2023 to 2033. About 7,200 openings for dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Compensation

What is the typical salary range?

$22,400

10%

$44,960

Median

$69,900

90%

How does location impact how much salary?

Education

What level of education do professionals in this role have?

Education Level

  • Associate's degree

    26%

  • High school

    21%

  • Bachelor's degree

    18%

  • Post-secondary certificate

    10%

  • Master's degree

    9%

  • Some college

    8%

  • Less than high school

    5%

Which college majors best prepare you for this role?

  • Orthotist/Prosthetist
  • Assistive/Augmentative Technology and Rehabilitation Engineering

Skills and Interest

Which skill sets are the most valuable to possess?

Skills

  • Technology Design and Control

    High

  • Equipment Operation and Maintenance

    High

  • Verbal Skills

    Mid

  • Leadership

    Mid

  • Math and Science Skills

    Mid

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

    Mid

What knowledge should you bring to the table?

  • Production and Processing
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • English Language
  • Mechanical
  • Design

What challenges will you likely face in the workplace?

Workplace

  • Time Pressure

    High

  • Responsibility

    High

  • Decision Making

    High

  • Physical Activity

    High

  • Level Of Competition

    High

  • Exposure to Job Hazards

    Mid

  • Repetitiveness

    Mid

What personality traits help people thrive in this role?

Realistic

You love hands-on work and solving practical problems — like fixing things and building stuff.

Investigative

You love figuring out how things work and researching subjects that interest you.

Conventional

You like structure, staying organized, and working with systems to get things done efficiently.

RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.

Take the RIASEC Test