The median pay for Orderlies is $38,290 a year ($18.41/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 4.0% through 2035, with about 7,200 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 31-1132
- Healthcare Support
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Orderly in four numbers
- Median pay
- $38,290a year, or $18.41/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $32KTop 10% $51K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +4.0%About as fast as averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+4%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +4% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 7,20052,800 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202552.8K
- Projected 203554.9K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 52.8K Projected 2035 54.9K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school6.6%
- High school89.3%
- Certificate4.1%
Highest education held by orderlies Segment Value Less than high school 6.6% High school 89.3% Certificate 4.1%
Also advertised as: Attendant, Operating Room Assistant, Orderly, Patient Care Assistant (PCA), Patient Care Technician (PCT), Patient Escort.
Pay
How much do Orderlies make?
Every orderly in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$38,290
Middle half earn $35,570 to $44,560
- 10th
- $32,240
- 25th
- $35,570
- 75th
- $44,560
- 90th
- $50,600
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $32,240 |
| 25th | $35,570 |
| Median | $38,290 |
| 75th | $44,560 |
| 90th | $50,600 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $38,290
- Median hourly wage
- $18.41/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $40,660
- People employed
- 52,440
Versus all US occupations
At $38,290, Orderlies earn 25% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $12,690 a year.
Versus healthcare support occupations
Inside the Healthcare Support group, where the middle occupation pays $42,260, this is 9% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $50,600 or more while the bottom 10% earn $32,240, a gap of 1.6×. That is a narrow spread, so experience and employer move pay less than in most occupations.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 6% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
California posts the highest raw median ($49,920), but once local prices are taken into account Vermont leads at $49,123 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Orderlies the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1California | $49,920 | $45,087 | 4,870 |
| 2Washington | $48,690 | $45,499 | 200 |
| 3Vermont | $48,120 | $49,123 | 70 |
| 4Hawaii | $47,130 | $42,865 | 80 |
| 5New York | $46,600 | $43,180 | 4,680 |
| 6Oregon | $45,120 | $43,653 | 500 |
| 7Minnesota | $44,550 | $45,173 | 430 |
| 8Delaware | $43,800 | $43,884 | 190 |
| 9Colorado | $43,570 | $42,280 | 540 |
| 10Maine | $42,530 | $43,823 | 150 |
Job outlook
Is Orderly a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
About as fast as average. +4.0% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Orderlies | +4% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
About as fast as average
BLS projects employment of Orderlies to change 4.0% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 2,100 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 7,200 openings are projected each year, 13.6% of the 52,800 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of nursing assistants and orderlies is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
As the population ages, nursing assistants and orderlies will be needed to help care for an increasing number of older people who have chronic or progressive diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes.
Demand for nursing assistants may be constrained by financial pressures on nursing homes, which might lead some facilities to close or reduce staff. However, increased opportunities are expected in home- and community-based settings as patient preferences and shifts in policy generate demand for care in these settings.
Getting in
How to become an Orderly
Nursing assistants typically must complete a state-approved education program and pass their state’s competency exam. Orderlies typically have at least a high school diploma or equivalent.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Little or no preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as orderlies.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)89.3%
- Less than a High School Diploma6.6%
- Post-Secondary Certificate4.1%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 89.3% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 6.6% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 4.1% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does an Orderly do?
Transport patients to areas such as operating rooms or x-ray rooms using wheelchairs, stretchers, or moveable beds. May maintain stocks of supplies or clean and transport equipment. Psychiatric orderlies are included in Psychiatric Aides.
Nursing assistants, sometimes called nursing aides, provide basic care and help patients with activities of daily living. Orderlies transport patients and clean treatment areas.
Day-to-day tasks
- Transport patients to treatment units, testing units, operating rooms, or other areas, using wheelchairs, stretchers, or moveable beds.
- Lift or assist others to lift patients to move them on or off beds, examination tables, surgical tables, or stretchers.
- Disinfect or sterilize equipment or supplies, using germicides or sterilizing equipment.
- Clean equipment, such as wheelchairs, hospital beds, or portable medical equipment, documenting needed repairs or maintenance.
- Carry messages or documents between departments.
- Transport portable medical equipment or medical supplies between rooms or departments.
- Respond to emergency situations, such as emergency medical calls, security calls, or fire alarms.
- Change soiled linens, such as bed linens, drapes, or cubicle curtains.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Although most nursing assistants and orderlies work full time, some work part time. Because nursing and residential care facilities and hospitals provide care at all hours, nursing assistants and orderlies may need to work nights, weekends, and holidays.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeOn their feet more than half the working day.
Bending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the timeRegular bending or twisting.
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayHandling conflict situations at least monthly.
Cost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where orderlies work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities)36%
- Hospitals; state, local, and private32%
- Continuing care retirement communities and assisted living facilities for the elderly11%
- Home healthcare services5%
- Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals3%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities) | 36% |
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 32% |
| Continuing care retirement communities and assisted living facilities for the elderly | 11% |
| Home healthcare services | 5% |
| Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals | 3% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Active Listening3.1
- Speaking3.0
- Critical Thinking2.8
- Writing2.6
- Monitoring2.6
- Reading Comprehension2.5
- Active Learning2.1
- Learning Strategies2.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 3.1 |
| Speaking | 3.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 2.8 |
| Writing | 2.6 |
| Monitoring | 2.6 |
| Reading Comprehension | 2.5 |
| Active Learning | 2.1 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Social Perceptiveness3.4
- Service Orientation3.4
- Coordination2.9
- Judgment and Decision Making2.6
- Time Management2.5
- Negotiation2.4
- Persuasion2.3
- Complex Problem Solving2.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.4 |
| Service Orientation | 3.4 |
| Coordination | 2.9 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 2.6 |
| Time Management | 2.5 |
| Negotiation | 2.4 |
| Persuasion | 2.3 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Medical software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits an Orderly?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Orderly |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 5 |
| Investigative | 2 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 4 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic5.4
- Conventional4.8
- Social4.2
- Investigative2.0
- Enterprising1.2
- Artistic1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Orderly
O*NET related occupations
- Healthcare Support
- Transportation and Material Moving
Ambulance Driver and Attendant, Except Emergency Medical Technicians
$35,450median a year
Most earn $27K to $46K
−1.3%High school - Healthcare Support
- Healthcare Support
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
More healthcare support careers
Median annual pay, with orderlies highlighted
- Occupational Therapy Assistant$72,300
- Physical Therapist Assistant$68,380
- Massage Therapist$58,450
- Dental Assistant$48,070
- Medical Assistant$45,690
- Phlebotomist$45,230
- Nursing Assistant$42,260
- Orderly$38,290
- Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker$38,150
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $72,300 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $68,380 |
| Massage Therapist | $58,450 |
| Dental Assistant | $48,070 |
| Medical Assistant | $45,690 |
| Phlebotomist | $45,230 |
| Nursing Assistant | $42,260 |
| Orderly | $38,290 |
| Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker | $38,150 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Orderly appears on
Questions
Orderly: frequently asked questions
How much do Orderlies make?
Orderlies earn a median of $38,290 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 25% below the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $18.41/hr. The middle half earn between $35,570 and $44,560. The top 10% earn $50,600 or more.
Do you need a degree to become an Orderly?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Orderlies. BLS also lists short-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 89.3% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Orderly a growing career?
It is stable rather than fast-growing: employment is projected to change 4.0% over 2025–2035, about the same as the 3.5% projected across all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 7,200 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does an Orderly do?
Nursing assistants, sometimes called nursing aides, provide basic care and help patients with activities of daily living. A core O*NET task: transport patients to treatment units, testing units, operating rooms, or other areas, using wheelchairs, stretchers, or moveable beds. Employers most often ask for Electronic mail software, Office suite software, Operating system software.
Which states pay Orderlies the most?
The highest state medians for Orderlies are California ($49,920), Washington ($48,690), Vermont ($48,120) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Vermont moves to the top at $49,123.
What personality type suits an Orderly?
O*NET scores Orderlies highest on the Realistic, Conventional and Social interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISFJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.