Why We Love It
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$69,960Potential Avg. Salary
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21.7%Job Growth Rate
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Growing DemandJob Outlook
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Growing IndustryCareer Attribute
Pedorthists are certified medical professionals who are trained to design, repair and modify devices on patients that prevent abnormalities or even disabling conditions of the lower limbs, feet or ankles. They may design a wide variety of footwear and devices depending on the patients’ needs. Some of these devices include ankle supports, lifts, inserts, walking shoes, hosiery, night splints, surgical boots, arch supports, and custom-made shoes.
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What is a Pedorthist?
Duties
- Examine a doctor’s prescription and discuss with a patient, before designing and manufacturing therapeutic footwear or foot orthoses to treat the problem.
- Accurately and efficiently design footwear items which may include foot orthoses, shoes, boots, slippers, sandals, socks, hosiery, night splints, bandages, braces, partial-foot prostheses, or other devices.
- Use computerised techniques to design and create three-dimensional models for specialised footwear instead of the traditional methods of model creation.
- Instruct patients on the proper use of customized foot orthoses, answering questions patients might have and referring certain queries to others on the medical staff.
- Conduct follow-up visits to monitor the patient’s progress and correct usage; and to gauge how well suited the footwear is for treating the problem.
Day in the life
As a pedorthist, expect your day to day life to be exciting and rewarding. This is especially true regarding your role aiding patients with relieving their pain. A struggle in this position is convincing people to trust in orthotics. You will spend time educating and creating awareness among patients on how orthotics helps the healing process and reduces discomfort.
Just like family doctors, pedorthists collaborate with other medical professionals in order to find the best treatment options for a patient. Pedorthists also have the benefit of choosing if they want to establish an independent practice, or work with others at a healthcare center or clinic.
Work schedule and typical hours
Pedorthists have the flexibility to work either full time or part time depending on their preference, and can design their orthotics on-site or make use of an offsite laboratory. This trait of the job allows a career that suits individual needs and can be adapted easily to different lifestyles.
Growth of the job
Jobs in pedorthics are increasing rapidly as foot related injuries or conditions are more frequent with an active life. Patients who are involved in sports or athletics often take the help of a pedorthist to ensure that damage of foot nerves or ligaments is avoided. The growing population and aging youth will also require more pedorthic care as they become older.
Employee outlook is also on the rise as more positions are opening up with experienced professionals reaching the age of retirement and therefore the opportunities are many. It is also quite possible to join the profession as an intern that works under an experienced pedorthist, who is looking for the right candidate to eventually replace him or her post-retirement.
Typical employers
Pedorthists work in settings indoors such as specialty shoe stores, orthotic and prosthetic patient care facilities, and rehabilitation facilities. Pedorthists find a variety of opportunities in the sports industry, where the right designs for athletic shoes can relieve impact on feet at running speeds or reduce wear and tear for the wearer.
While one is not working directly in a hospital or emergency room type of setting, visits with the podiatrist and patient to determine what type of footwear or material is needed to address the medical problem is not uncommon.
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How To Become a Pedorthist
To join this field, one must possess at least an Associate’s degree in a science or a health care field. Interested applicants will also need to be licensed in pedorthics through their state by taking a state administered examination from the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics (ABC), the Board of Certification/Accreditation, International (BOC), or both.
While state requirements do vary, most students will have to gain experience as an intern or apprentice along with a certified pedorthist for a certain number of hours before qualifying to take the state exam. Completion of the exam with a passing grade will license a student through the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthists. Certificates will also have to be renewed every few years according to state regulations.
Most pedorthists receive their applied experience on the job, while working as an intern for a certified pedorthist, and are ready to work for a private clinic or physician once they receive their certification. Many internships will eventually turn into full-time positions.
Pedorthist Salary Data
We’ve provided you the following to learn more about this career. The salary and growth data on this page comes from recently published Bureau of Labor Statistics data while the recommendations and editorial content are based on our research.
National Anual Salary
Low Range
$47,870Average
$69,960High Range
$107,550National Hourly Wage
Low Range
$23/hrAverage
$34/hrHigh Range
$52/hrHow do Pedorthist salaries stack up to other jobs across the country? Based on the latest jobs data nationwide, Pedorthist's can make an average annual salary of $69,960, or $34 per hour. On the lower end, they can make $47,870 or $23 per hour, perhaps when just starting out or based on the state you live in.
Salary Rankings And Facts
#199 Nationally for All Careers
Above Average Salary Nationally
Highest Education Among Pedorthists
- 4.8% Doctorate
- 7.5% Masters
- 21.3% Bachelors
- 14.4% Associates
- 31% College
- 19.3% High School
- 1.7% Less than High School
Job Growth Projections and Forecast
2014 Total Jobs
8,3002024 Est. Jobs
10,100Job Growth Rate
21.7%Est. New Jobs
1,800How does Pedorthist job growth stack up to other jobs across the country? By 2024, there will be a change of 1,800 jobs for a total of 10,100 people employed in the career nationwide. This is a 21.7% change in growth over the next ten years, giving the career a growth rate nationwide of Above Average.
Growth Rankings And Facts
#43 Nationally for All Careers
Above Avg. Growth Nationally
What Companies Employ The Most Pedorthists
| Industry | Current Jobs | New Jobs Needed | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical equipment and supplies manufacturing | 2,600 | 300 | 0% |
| Federal government, excluding postal service | 700 | -100 | 0% |
| Offices of physicians | 500 | 100 | 0% |
