Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Short-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Orderlies support day-to-day operations in settings where physical assistance, reliability, and close attention to detail matter. This career offers a national median salary of $37,700 and employs about 54,000 people across the country. Projected employment growth of 3.3% and approximately 8,000 annual openings suggest a consistent flow of opportunities, whether you are just entering the workforce or considering a career change. Orderly roles rely heavily on physical strength and stamina, as well as strong interpersonal and customer service skills for regular interaction with others. Being detail oriented, adaptable, and comfortable with problem solving and decision making can help you perform successfully and manage varied situations on the job. With a typical education requirement of a high school diploma or equivalent, this path can be accessible to individuals who want a hands-on role that uses mechanical aptitude, speaking and listening, and fine motor skills in a structured work environment.
Orderlies earn a national median annual salary of $37,700, providing a baseline for evaluating offers and planning your finances. Pay can vary significantly by location. Among the top states, median salaries range from $38,970 in Massachusetts to $49,920 in California, with New York at $46,600, Colorado at $43,570, and Washington at $48,690. At the metro level, some areas show notably higher median pay. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA reports a median salary of $65,790, while San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA is even higher at $69,870. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro posts $45,850, and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV stands at $39,160. These differences mean your earning potential as an orderly is closely tied to where you work, with certain metros and states offering substantially higher median wages than the national figure.
Orderlies have a national employment level of about 54,000, indicating a sizable workforce in this occupation. Projected employment growth of 3.3% points to an increase in positions over time, rather than a shrinking field. In addition, an estimated 8,000 annual openings suggests a steady volume of opportunities each year from a mix of new positions and turnover. This combination of existing employment, projected growth, and recurring openings can be useful for students and job seekers who want to enter a field with ongoing hiring activity. For current workers, the growth projection and annual openings may support the possibility of changing employers or relocating while remaining in the same occupation. Taken together, these figures indicate that orderlies can expect a labor market with continuing demand and regular chances to apply, interview, and move into available roles across different regions.
Location plays a major role in orderly career opportunities. Among states, California leads with a median salary of $49,920, employment of 4,870, and an opportunity score of 67.38. New York also stands out, with a median salary of $46,600, employment of 4,680, and an opportunity score of 65.78. Massachusetts offers a median salary of $38,970 and an opportunity score of 65.87, while Colorado and Washington report median salaries of $43,570 and $48,690 and opportunity scores of 56.97 and 56.29, respectively. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ show particularly strong opportunity scores of 77.42 and 77.27, with median pay of $65,790 and $45,850. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA combines an opportunity score of 68.75 with a median salary of $69,870. These differences show that both pay and overall opportunity can vary notably between states and metros.
The typical education requirement for orderlies is a high school diploma or equivalent, making this role accessible to individuals who do not have a college degree. Success in this occupation is closely tied to a distinct set of skills rather than advanced formal education. Physical strength and stamina are important, as the work can be physically demanding. Interpersonal and customer service skills matter for interacting effectively with others, while speaking and listening support clear communication. Being detail oriented, adaptable, and comfortable with problem solving and decision making can help you handle day-to-day tasks accurately and respond to changing situations. Fine motor skills and mechanical aptitude are also part of the skill profile, contributing to the practical, hands-on nature of the work. For students and career changers, this combination of modest formal education requirements and defined skill needs can provide a clear pathway into the field.
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