Medical Appliance Technicians
The short answer
This job is less likely to change much. Most of the work is the kind AI can't help with. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to shrink over the next decade, with about 119 openings expected each year.
Where your job stands
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the second least exposed fifth for how much AI could touch it. Most of what it involves isn't the kind of work AI can take over.
How much AI could touch this job
Looking at the job itself, AI could help with a small part of this job's tasks.
What this means
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the second least exposed fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.
What AI can and can’t help with in this job
This job is in the second least exposed fifth of New York jobs for AI exposure. The tasks below show why: most of what it involves is work AI can't simply take over.
AI can help with or automate about 20% of the tasks in this job.
Tasks AI can help with or automate
Read prescriptions or specifications to determine the type of product or device to be fabricated and the materials and tools required.
AI could do much of this on its own
Construct or receive casts or impressions of patients' torsos or limbs for use as cutting and fabrication patterns.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Take patients' body or limb measurements for use in device construction.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Tasks AI can't do much of
Drill and tap holes for rivets, and glue, weld, bolt, or rivet parts together to form prosthetic or orthotic devices.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Make orthotic or prosthetic devices, using materials such as thermoplastic and thermosetting materials, metal alloys and leather, and hand or power tools.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Bend, form, and shape fabric or material to conform to prescribed contours of structural components.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Repair, modify, or maintain medical supportive devices, such as artificial limbs, braces, or surgical supports, according to specifications.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Cover or pad metal or plastic structures or devices, using coverings such as rubber, leather, felt, plastic, or fiberglass.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Jobs you could switch to
If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.
See related jobs in
The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.
Dental Laboratory Technicians
Very similar work+9% pay210 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 9% more—$53,660 vs your $49,180 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Near Vision
- Production and Processing
- Visualization
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Finger Dexterity
New skills to build
- Medicine and Dentistry
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
Very similar work+15% pay112 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 15% more—$56,333 vs your $49,180 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Visualization
- Mechanical
- Control Precision
- Near Vision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
Your current skills largely cover this move.
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Very similar work+8% pay58 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 8% more—$53,272 vs your $49,180 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Production and Processing
- Near Vision
- Control Precision
- Visualization
- Operations Monitoring
New skills to build
- Administration and Management
- Rate Control
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
Similar workslightly less pay185 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays slightly less—$46,989 vs your $49,180 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus long-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Production and Processing
- Near Vision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Finger Dexterity
- Control Precision
Your current skills largely cover this move.
Orthotists and Prosthetists
Similar work+87% pay40 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 87% more—$92,117 vs your $49,180 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a master's degree, plus internship/residency.
Getting ready typically takes more than four years.
Skills you already have
- Production and Processing
- Near Vision
- Customer and Personal Service
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
New skills to build
- Psychology
- Therapy and Counseling
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Writing
- Written Expression
Surgical Technologists
Somewhat similar work+66% pay437 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 66% more—$81,776 vs your $49,180 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a postsecondary nondegree award.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Customer and Personal Service
- Oral Comprehension
- Near Vision
- Problem Sensitivity
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
New skills to build
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Psychology
Medical Equipment Preparers
Somewhat similar work+19% pay958 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 19% more—$58,768 vs your $49,180 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Customer and Personal Service
- Near Vision
- English Language
- Oral Comprehension
- Problem Sensitivity
New skills to build
- Biology