Medical Appliance Technicians
Production Occupations- O*NET-SOC code
- 51-9082.00
Construct, maintain, or repair medical supportive devices such as braces, orthotics and prosthetic devices, joints, arch supports, and other surgical and medical appliances.
- Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08
Low· relative
LowFour relative bandsVery highGroup-level value
Scale, basis and source
Four relative bands (Low / Moderate / High / Very high)
831 detailed occupations in the BLS Employment Projections table. Assigned per National Employment Matrix (NEM) code, so occupations sharing a NEM code carry the same band
- Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03
0.000
0.000Range of values carried here0.745Scale, basis and source
Observed exposure index, 0–1 as published
Mapped onto O*NET tasks
Published per SOC 2018 occupation; every O*NET occupation with the same SOC 2018 code carries this value
- Data source: ILOPublished: 2025
0.18
0.09Range of values carried here0.70Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Generative AI exposure index, 0–1 as published
Published per ISCO-08 unit group. Linked to this occupation, wholly or in part, by applying U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (ISCO-08 to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to 2018 SOC) as published
What kind of figure this source publishes
The BLS category is a relative rank, not an absolute level, and it is not a first-hand measurement: it groups an occupation's percentile ranks across several published studies into four bands. It is not an employment or wage forecast, not a probability of adoption, and it does not separate automation from augmentation.
Task-level exposure
Show 12 hidden tasks15 rated tasks · 3 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (20.0%)
β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.
- Source unit: O*NET 27.2 tasks → O*NET 31.0 occupation code
- All rated tasks are in the O*NET 31.0 task list.
- Source
- OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric
- Release
- gh-main-0471612
- License
- MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI
Values in this tab are predicted labels, not observations. Eloundou et al. (2023) published two rating regimes — human raters and GPT-4 — and the β shown here is derived from the GPT-4 rater basis alone; the same task can take a different value under the other regime. The unit and the meaning differ from the observed shares (%) in the other tabs, so do not place them on the same axis.
| Task (O*NET 27.2) | βE1 + 0.5 × E2 |
|---|---|
Read prescriptions or specifications to determine the type of product or device to be fabricated and the materials and tools required.O*NET Task ID 10514 | 1.0 |
Take patients' body or limb measurements for use in device construction.O*NET Task ID 10517 | 0.5 |
Construct or receive casts or impressions of patients' torsos or limbs for use as cutting and fabrication patterns.O*NET Task ID 10518 | 0.5 |
β = E1 + 0.5 × E2 · E1 = tasks where direct LLM access alone cuts time by at least 50%, E2 = tasks where software built on top of an LLM cuts time by at least 50%. Values take only 0 / 0.5 / 1.0.
Data sources & licenses — O*NET®, Eloundou et al. (2023): see full notices on the Credits page
All O*NET 31.0 task statements (16)
All O*NET 31.0 task statements for this occupation (English, as published; task type core or supplemental). Exposure values are not listed here; they are in the table above, next to each task statement as worded in the O*NET version each source used.
| Task (O*NET 31.0) | Type |
|---|---|
| Make orthotic or prosthetic devices, using materials such as thermoplastic and thermosetting materials, metal alloys and leather, and hand or power tools. | Core |
| Read prescriptions or specifications to determine the type of product or device to be fabricated and the materials and tools required. | Core |
| Repair, modify, or maintain medical supportive devices, such as artificial limbs, braces, or surgical supports, according to specifications. | Core |
| Construct or receive casts or impressions of patients' torsos or limbs for use as cutting and fabrication patterns. | Core |
| Bend, form, and shape fabric or material to conform to prescribed contours of structural components. | Core |
| Drill and tap holes for rivets, and glue, weld, bolt, or rivet parts together to form prosthetic or orthotic devices. | Core |
| Lay out and mark dimensions of parts, using templates and precision measuring instruments. | Core |
| Test medical supportive devices for proper alignment, movement, or biomechanical stability, using meters and alignment fixtures. | Core |
| Cover or pad metal or plastic structures or devices, using coverings such as rubber, leather, felt, plastic, or fiberglass. | Core |
| Polish artificial limbs, braces, or supports, using grinding and buffing wheels. | Core |
| Service or repair machinery used in the fabrication of appliances. | Core |
| Mix pigments to match patients' skin coloring, according to formulas, and apply mixtures to orthotic or prosthetic devices. | Core |
| Order parts or supplies for orthotic or prosthetic devices. | Core |
| Fit appliances onto patients, and make any necessary adjustments. | Supplemental |
| Instruct patients in use of prosthetic or orthotic devices. | Supplemental |
| Take patients' body or limb measurements for use in device construction. | Supplemental |
0.74/ 3· Robot exposure index
Scale, basis and source
Each physical task is graded 0–3 by the setting in which robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated could do it (0 none · 1 purpose-built robot settings such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line · 2 structured facilities such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port · 3 unstructured settings such as a private home or a construction site), and the grades are averaged by share of working time
Physical tasks among this occupation's O*NET 29.3 tasks
Anthropic estimated the grades and time shares with Claude Opus 5 using web search, as of 2026.
The robot exposure index is a different measure from the AI exposure figures on this site and cannot be added to or compared with them. It does not measure actual adoption or cost, and 0 also covers occupations with no physical tasks.
Tier of each physical task
Robot environment tiers (E0–E3)
E0 noneDetails
Rated not doable by robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated, even in a purpose-built setting
E1 purpose-built robot settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting built around the machine, such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line
E2 structured facilitiesDetails
Rated doable in a human work facility that an institution keeps to a working standard, such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port
E3 unstructured settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting that no institution keeps to a working standard, such as a private home or a construction site
Only tasks classified as physical are listed; other tasks have no tier in the source.
| Task (O*NET 29.3) | Robot environment tier |
|---|---|
| Fit appliances onto patients, and make any necessary adjustments. | E0 none |
| Make orthotic or prosthetic devices, using materials such as thermoplastic and thermosetting materials, metal alloys and leather, and hand or power tools. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Repair, modify, or maintain medical supportive devices, such as artificial limbs, braces, or surgical supports, according to specifications. | E0 none |
| Take patients' body or limb measurements for use in device construction. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Construct or receive casts or impressions of patients' torsos or limbs for use as cutting and fabrication patterns. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Bend, form, and shape fabric or material to conform to prescribed contours of structural components. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Drill and tap holes for rivets, and glue, weld, bolt, or rivet parts together to form prosthetic or orthotic devices. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Lay out and mark dimensions of parts, using templates and precision measuring instruments. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Test medical supportive devices for proper alignment, movement, or biomechanical stability, using meters and alignment fixtures. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Cover or pad metal or plastic structures or devices, using coverings such as rubber, leather, felt, plastic, or fiberglass. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Polish artificial limbs, braces, or supports, using grinding and buffing wheels. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Service or repair machinery used in the fabrication of appliances. | E0 none |
| Mix pigments to match patients' skin coloring, according to formulas, and apply mixtures to orthotic or prosthetic devices. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
Occupation information
Employment outlook (BLS)
- Employment, 2025
- 11K
- Projected employment, 2035
- 12K
- Change (2025–35)
- +3.5%
- Median annual wage, 2025
- $48,030
- Typical education needed for entry
- High school diploma or equivalent
Korea classification links (KSCO)
Links from the current release of the Korea Occupation Direct Crosswalk v1.1, made by AI Changing Work. Relation values are read from the O*NET-SOC occupation side.
| KSCO code | KSCO title | Relation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24651 | 의지 보조기 기사 | Same scope | confirmed |
| 24652 | 보조공학사 | Overlapping, not the same | confirmed |
Relation and status definitions(kr-direct v1.1)
ILO occupational description
AI Changing Work links the ISCO-08 unit groups below to this occupation by applying the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (2018 SOC to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to ISCO-08) as published, without case-by-case selection; each link may be whole or partial.
- ISCO-08 3214Medical and Dental Prosthetic Technicians
The definition, tasks and examples below are the ILO's description of that unit group, not of this occupation.
Medical and dental prosthetic technicians design, fit, service and repair medical and dental devices and appliances following prescriptions or instructions established by a health professional. They may service a wide range of support instruments to correct physical medical or dental problems such as neck braces, orthopaedic splints, artificial limbs, hearing aids, arch supports, dentures, and dental crowns and bridges.
Tasks
- (a) examining, interviewing, and measuring patients in order to determine their appliance needs, and to identify factors that could affect appliance fit;
- (b) conferring with medical and dental practitioners in order to formulate specifications and prescriptions for devices and appliances;
- (c) interpreting prescriptions or specifications to determine the type of product or device to be fabricated, and the materials and tools that will be required;
- (d) making or receiving casts or impressions of patients' torsos, limbs, mouths or teeth for use as fabrication patterns;
- (e) designing and making orthotic and prosthetic devices using materials such as thermoplastic and thermosetting materials, metal alloys and leather, and hand and power tools;
- (f) fitting appliances and devices onto patients, testing and evaluating them, and making adjustments for proper fit, function and comfort;
- (g) repairing, modifying and maintaining medical and dental prosthetic and supportive devices, according to specifications;
- (h) bending, forming, and shaping fabric or material so that it conforms to prescribed contours needed to fabricate structural components;
- (i) fabricating full and partial dentures and constructing mouth guards, crowns, metal clasps, inlays, bridgework and other aids;
- (j) instructing patients in the use and care of prosthetic or orthotic devices.
Example occupations
Dental mechanic · Dental technician · Denturist · Orthopaedic appliance maker · Orthotic technician · Orthotist · Prosthetic technician · Prosthetist
Sources: ILO ISCO-08 — details: Credits
ESCO occupational vocabulary
Each entry below is matched to this occupation in the published ESCO-O*NET Crosswalk (version 1, 2022). The match types are that crosswalk's; the wording is AI Changing Work's.
- prosthetic-orthotics technicianESCO 3214.3.1Same scope
Prosthetic-orthotics technicians design, create, fit and repair supportive devices, such as braces, joints, arch supports, and other surgical and medical appliances.
- audiology technicianESCO 3214.1This occupation is broader
Audiology technicians create and service hearing aids and hearing protection products. They dispense, fit and provide hearing aids for those who need them.
- dental technicianESCO 3214.2This occupation is broader
Dental technicians manufacture dental custom-made devices like bridges, crowns, dentures and appliances under the supervision of dental practitioners following their directions and specifications.
- prosthetist-orthotistESCO 3214.3This occupation is broader
Prosthetist-orthotists design and custom fit prostheses and orthoses for individuals who are missing a limb from accident, disease or congenital conditions or for individuals who have impairments, deficiences or weaknesses due to injury, pathology or congenital malformation. They mix patient care with the design and fabrication of these devices to address their patients' needs.
Source: European Commission, DG EMPL — ESCO API 2026-08-08 (bridge v1.2.1)
License: CC BY 4.0 (EU Reuse Notice)
ESCO reuse terms and the modification notice are in Credits.
France classification links (ROME)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and ROME 4.0 job profiles, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side. Links marked “provisional” were adopted on the judgments of two judges from the same model family (Claude) alone, or by an operator rule applied to their judgments, so they rest on weaker evidence than confirmed links.
| ROME code | ROME title (French) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| J1411 | Orthoprothésiste | This occupation is narrowerprovisional |
| J1401 | Audioprothésiste | Related, not a matchprovisional |
Source: France Travail — Répertoire Opérationnel des Métiers et des Emplois (ROME 4.0), version 61, last updated 15 June 2026 (https://www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/repertoire-operationnel-des-metiers-et-des-emplois-rome). Licence Ouverte 2.0.
ROME codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET-SOC occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a France Travail correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: fr-direct v1)
Spain classification links (CNO-11)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and CNO-11 occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| CNO-11 code | CNO-11 title (Spanish) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 3315 | Técnicos en ortoprótesis | This occupation is narrower |
| 3317 | Técnicos en audioprótesis | Related, not a match |
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), National Classification of Occupations 2011 (CNO-11, Royal Decree 1591/2010) — www.ine.es · Licensed CC BY 4.0. CNO-11 codes and Spanish titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not an INE correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: es-direct v1)
Germany classification links (KldB)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and KldB occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| KldB code | KldB title (German) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 82512 | Berufe in der Orthopädie- und Rehatechnik - fachlich ausgerichtete Tätigkeiten | Same scope |
| 82513 | Berufe in der Orthopädie- und Rehatechnik - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten | Related, not a match |
| 82532 | Berufe in der Hörgeräteakustik - fachlich ausgerichtete Tätigkeiten | Related, not a match |
Source: © Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit — Klassifikation der Berufe 2010 – überarbeitete Fassung 2020, https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de. KldB codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own mapping (eigene Zuordnung) and are not a Bundesagentur für Arbeit correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: de-direct v1)
Japan classification links (JSCO)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and JSCO occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| JSCO code | JSCO title (Japanese) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 159 | 他に分類されない保健医療従事者 | Related, not a match |
Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan Standard Occupational Classification (Dec. 2009, MIC Notification No. 555). JSCO codes and Japanese titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a MIC correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: jp-direct v1)
Sources, licenses and AI Changing Work's modification and translation notices for this page: Credits & sources