Best institutions to study Orthopedic Technology/Technician
A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of physicians, to cast, splint, and brace orthopedic injuries.
2 U.S. institutions graduated 22 Orthopedic Technology/Technician students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.0923, a specialization of Allied Health Diagnostic (CIP 51.09), and leads most directly to the Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other occupation (BLS SOC 29-2099).
About Orthopedic Technology/Technician programs
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: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Orthopedic Technology/Technician program prepares individuals to assist in the treatment of orthopedic injuries under the supervision of physicians. This program is ideal for those interested in the health professions and looking to play a vital role in patient care. With a focus on practical skills, students will learn how to cast, splint, and brace injuries effectively.
Core coursework includes patient assessment, casting and splinting techniques, radiographic interpretation, traction methods, and wound care. Students gain hands-on experience that is essential for working in orthopedic settings.
Credentials awarded
What Orthopedic Technology/Technician graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year18 graduates / yr · 2 institutions82%
- Associate's degree3 graduates / yr · 1 institution14%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years1 graduates / yr · 1 institution4.5%
Graduates over time
Orthopedic Technology/Technician completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 15 |
| 2022 | 17 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 22 |
| 2025 | 22 |
CIP 51.0923 was introduced in CIP 2020, so the series starts when institutions began reporting under the new code.
Top 2 institutions for Orthopedic Technology/Technician, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlantic Technical College Coconut Creek, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 12 | 65% | — |
| 2 | Martin Community College Williamston, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 10 | 39% | — |
Offered in 2 states
Where Orthopedic Technology/Technician graduates come from. Each state links to all Allied Health Diagnostic programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 1 | 12 | Atlantic Technical College12 / yr |
| North Carolina | 1 | 10 | Martin Community College10 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-2099, Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Orthopedic Technology/Technician program can pursue careers as Health Technologists and Technicians, among other roles. The job outlook is promising, with a projected growth rate of 5.2% and approximately 13,600 annual openings. The median wage for this field is $48,790, typically requiring a postsecondary nondegree award.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.0923
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Health Technologists and Technicians, All Otherprimary SOC 29-2099 | $50,290 | +5.2% Faster than average | ~13,600 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1071 | $107,310 | +17.3% Much faster than average | ~27,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Related careers
Other Allied Health Diagnostic specializations
The 23 other 6-digit CIP codes under Allied Health Diagnostic (CIP 51.09).
- Emergency Medical Technology/CIP 51.0904
Technician (EMT Paramedic) 32,524 graduates / yr662 institutions - Physician Associate/CIP 51.0912
Assistant 13,740 graduates / yr277 institutions - Radiologic Technology/CIP 51.0911
Science - Radiographer 13,035 graduates / yr502 institutions - Surgical Technology/CIP 51.0909
Technologist 8,514 graduates / yr460 institutions - Diagnostic Medical Sonography/CIP 51.0910
Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician 7,984 graduates / yr330 institutions - Respiratory Care Therapy/CIP 51.0908
Therapist 6,816 graduates / yr389 institutions - Medical Radiologic Technology/CIP 51.0907
Science - Radiation Therapist 4,302 graduates / yr212 institutions - Athletic Training/CIP 51.0913
Trainer 3,326 graduates / yr302 institutions - Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment ProfessionsCIP 51.09992,359 graduates / yr80 institutions
- Cardiovascular Technology/CIP 51.0901
Technologist 1,902 graduates / yr91 institutions - Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Technology/CIP 51.0920
Technician 1,327 graduates / yr62 institutions - Electrocardiograph Technology/CIP 51.0902
Technician 858 graduates / yr43 institutions - Nuclear Medical Technology/CIP 51.0905
Technologist 707 graduates / yr69 institutions - Electroneurodiagnostic/CIP 51.0903
Electroencephalographic Technology/ Technologist 302 graduates / yr31 institutions - PolysomnographyCIP 51.0917242 graduates / yr25 institutions
- Perfusion Technology/CIP 51.0906
Perfusionist 171 graduates / yr14 institutions - Gene/CIP 51.0914
Genetic Therapy partial data92 graduates / yr3 institutions - Mammography Technology/CIP 51.0919
Technician 87 graduates / yr18 institutions - Radiation Protection/CIP 51.0916
Health Physics Technician partial data62 graduates / yr5 institutions - Cardiopulmonary Technology/CIP 51.0915
Technologist partial data51 graduates / yr4 institutions - Hearing Instrument SpecialistCIP 51.0918limited data4 graduates / yr1 institutions
Show 2 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Hyperbaric Medicine Technology/
Technician51.0921 - Intraoperative Neuromonitoring Technology/
Technician51.0922
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Common questions
What is the duration of the program?+
The program offers awards ranging from at least 12 weeks to less than 1 academic year.
What credentials can I earn?+
You can earn an Award of at least 12 weeks, an Associate's degree, or an award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
Currently, there are 2 colleges offering the Orthopedic Technology/Technician program.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is faster than average, with a growth rate of 5.2% and about 13,600 annual job openings.
What is the CIP code for Orthopedic Technology/Technician?+
Orthopedic Technology/Technician is CIP 51.0923 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Allied Health Diagnostic (CIP 51.09). NCES defines it as: 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.
How many institutions offer Orthopedic Technology/Technician programs?+
2 U.S. institutions reported Orthopedic Technology/Technician graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 2 states, awarding 22 credentials in the year. That is 0.0% of all Allied Health Diagnostic graduates.
How much do Orthopedic Technology/Technician graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other occupation, which Orthopedic Technology/Technician most directly leads to, pays a median of $50,290 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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