Orderlies
Nursing assistants provide basic care and help patients with activities of daily living. Orderlies transport patients and clean treatment areas.
Is orderlies a good career?
It scores 12/100 and ranks #617 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- No college degree typically required to enter
Possible tradeoffs
- Pays below the U.S. median wage ($38,290 vs $61,390)
What orderlies earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. orderlies earn between $35,570 and $44,560 a year.
Best-paying states
Best-paying metros
Strongest employment concentration
Live orderlies jobs
No live orderlies openings yet
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- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Outlook
- Employment is projected to grow slower than average through 2034.
Licenses, certifications & registrations
Specific requirements for nursing assistants vary by state. Nursing assistants often need a state-issued license or certification. After completing an approved education program, nursing assistants often must pass a competency exam, which allows them to use state-specific titles. In some states, a nursing assistant is called a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), but titles vary by state.
Nursing assistants who have passed the competency exam are placed on a state registry. They must be on the state registry to work in a nursing home.
Some states have other requirements as well, such as continuing education and a criminal background check. Check with state certifying agencies
In some states, nursing assistants may earn additional credentials, such as Certified Medication Assistant (CMA). As a CMA, they may dispense medications.
Orderlies do not need a license; however, jobs might require certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or basic life support (BLS).
Important qualities
Communication skills. Nursing assistants and orderlies must listen and respond to patients’ concerns. They also need to share information with other healthcare workers.
Compassion. Nursing assistants and orderlies help and care for people who are sick, injured, or need aid for other reasons. They need an empathetic attitude to do their work.
Patience. The routine tasks of cleaning, feeding, and bathing patients may be stressful. Nursing assistants and orderlies must be able to complete these tasks with professionalism.
Physical stamina. Nursing assistants and orderlies spend much of their time on their feet. They must be able to perform tasks such as lifting or moving patients.
Related occupations
How much do orderlies make?
The national median wage is $38,290 a year, with the middle half earning between $35,570 and $44,560 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is orderlies a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 12 of 100 and ranks #617 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change +3.3% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a orderlie?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent.
Where do orderlies earn the most?
Among states, California pays the highest median ($49,920). Local pay for every state and metro is below.