Average Orthotech Salaries Hold Steady in 2006

A copy of the full report is provided exclusively to NAOT members. For more information, please contact (317) 205-9480 or naot@hp-assoc.com.

The average salary for orthopaedic technologists remained essentially the same between 2005 and 2006, according to the results of the National Association of Orthopaedic Technologists (NAOT) annual compensation and benefits survey.   The report, based on data provided by nearly 300 orthotechs from around the country, found the average 2006 salary was $43,231 --  a small $188 decrease from the 2005 average of $43,419.

A composite of all data collected found that orthotechs had, on average, 15 years of experience, worked 9 years for their current employer, earned their OTC credential, worked 43.5 hours per week, has health insurance through their employer but the employee pays $125 of the monthly premium and the employer pays $860 per year for professional education.

The NAOT report provides average salaries based on years of experience, geographic region, type of employment, level of education and certification. In addition, valuable data on after-hour call pay, health and life insurance benefits, flex time and average amount of employer-funded continuing education was collected.  The 2006 report also features a two-year average of data.

The distribution of annual average salaries for 2006 were similar to 2005.  In 2006, 35% of respondents made between $30,000 - $40,000 and 27.5% between $40,000 - $50,000 for a total of 62.5% who made between $30,000 - $50,000.  In 2005, 60% of respondents listed their salary in this $20,000 range. Starting salary for orthotechs with 1-3 years experience decreased by 9.4% in 2006, with a two-year average of $33,032.  Orthotechs with 4-5 years of experience averaged $38,928 in annual salary; 6-10 years - $42,302; 11-15 years - $45,530; 16-20 years - $44,880; 21-24 years - $44,642; 25 years and higher - $50,357.  Orthotechs with 11-15 years of experience saw the largest average increase in pay with a 4% jump from 2005.

With regard to employment status, 74% indicated that they were full-time, but paid hourly, 24% held a full-time, salaried position and only 6% stated that they had a part-time position that paid hourly.  Orthopaedic technologists working in a hospital environment continued to earn more than their counterparts who work in private practice and clinic setting.   Average 2006 salary for orthotechs who worked in a hospital setting was $45,127, compared to $42,010 for private practice and $38,869 in a clinic.