Medical Appliance Technicians
SOC Code: 51-9082 Job Zone 3: Medium Preparation Needed
Construct, maintain, or repair medical supportive devices such as braces, orthotics and prosthetic devices, joints, arch supports, and other surgical and medical appliances.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Medical Appliance Technicians. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morgantown, WV | $42,141 | $56,701 | $71,282 | $85,842 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $42,141 | $56,701 | $71,282 | $85,842 |
| Southern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $42,141 | $56,701 | $71,282 | $85,842 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $42,141 | $56,701 | $71,282 | $85,842 |
| Charleston, WV | $42,141 | $56,701 | $71,282 | $85,842 |
| Beckley, WV | $42,141 | $56,701 | $71,282 | $85,842 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | $42,141 | $56,701 | $71,282 | $85,842 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $42,141 | $56,701 | $71,282 | $85,842 |
| Grand Island, NE | $39,104 | $54,413 | $69,722 | $85,030 |
| Northwest Nebraska nonmetropolitan area | $39,104 | $54,413 | $69,722 | $85,030 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Active Listening | 3.9 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.8 | |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.8 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.6 | |
| Speaking | 3.6 | |
| Troubleshooting | 3.6 | |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.5 | |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.5 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.4 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.2 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Production and Processing | 3.9 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 3.7 |
| English Language | 3.5 |
| Mechanical | 3.4 |
| Design | 3.3 |
| Education and Training | 3.1 |
| Mathematics | 3.0 |
| Administration and Management | 3.0 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Associate's degree | 26.3% |
| High school diploma | 21.2% |
| Bachelor's degree | 18.2% |
| Some college | 10.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 9.5% |
| Post-secondary certificate | 8.6% |
| Less than high school | 5.8% |
Typical Tasks
- Fit appliances onto patients, and make any necessary adjustments.
- Make orthotic or prosthetic devices, using materials such as thermoplastic and thermosetting materials, metal alloys and leather, and hand or power tools.
- Read prescriptions or specifications to determine the type of product or device to be fabricated and the materials and tools required.
- Repair, modify, or maintain medical supportive devices, such as artificial limbs, braces, or surgical supports, according to specifications.
- Instruct patients in use of prosthetic or orthotic devices.
- Take patients' body or limb measurements for use in device construction.
- Construct or receive casts or impressions of patients' torsos or limbs for use as cutting and fabrication patterns.
- Bend, form, and shape fabric or material to conform to prescribed contours of structural components.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Autodesk AutoCAD Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft Word Footmaxx Metascan software Gait analysis software Ohio Willow Wood OMEGA Tracer System Orthotic fabrication software Seattle Systems Shapemaker SoftSource CADview Vorum Research Corporation CANFIT-PLUS
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