Orderlys: Salary Overview
Orderlies work for hospitals and other healthcare facilities, where they transport patients and clean treatment areas.
They typically work under the supervision of a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse or a registered nurse.
Their job duties include helping patients to move around the facility, cleaning equipment, changing linens, and stocking supplies.
The average annual wage for orderlies was $29,840 a year in 2019 which translates into $14.35 an hour.
The median annual wage for this profession was $28,980 in May 2019, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.
This means that half the workers in this profession earned less than this amount and half earned more.
The best-paid 10 percent of orderlies earned more than $42,860 a year while the lowest 10 percent made less than $21,590 per year.
The 25th percentile is $23,570, which means that 75% of all workers in this profession made more than this.
However, an orderly’s salary and total compensation vary depending on his/her level of experience, education, and the employer.
As an entry-level employee, you may start with a salary that is close to the minimum for this profession and you will earn more as you gain a few years of experience.
Orderly Salary by Industry
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, orderlies held about 51,000 jobs in 2018, most of them (79%) being employed in hospitals.
Other employers included nursing care facilities, ambulatory healthcare services, the government, continuing care retirement communities, and assisted living facilities for the elderly.
The average annual salary for orderlies who worked for general medical and surgical hospitals was $30,130 a year in 2018.
Those employed by nursing care facilities earned, on average, around $25,480 a year, while those who worked for physician’s offices made a mean annual salary of $32,280.
Outpatient care centers hired approximately 1,000 orderlies as of May 2018 and paid them, on average, with $34,510 a year.
The highest average salary was reported by orderlies who worked for home health care services, a field that hired only 50 orderlies and paid them, on average, with $36,070 per year.
Companies in this sector provide skilled nursing and other healthcare services to patients in their homes.
Another field where the average annual salary for orderlies is higher than the median for this profession are psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals; this sector hired approximately 270 orderlies in 2019 and paid them, on average, with $35,350.
Other sectors where orderlies have a better chance of earning an above-average salary are medical and diagnostic laboratories.
The average annual salary for orderlies who were employed in this field was $34,750 but this sector offered only about 60 jobs for this profession.
In conclusion, better-paying sectors typically hire fewer orderlies, and having a few years of experience working as an orderly in a regular hospital can help you find employment in one of these fields.
Another way of earning a slightly higher salary is by becoming a nursing assistant.
For this, you will typically need to complete a state-approved education program and earn a state license or certification.
Also, having cardiopulmonary resuscitation or basic life support certification can help you get a better-paying job as an orderly.
Job Prospects for Orderlies
As the baby-boom generation ages and are more likely to need healthcare services, job prospects are expected to be good for orderlies in the future.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for this profession is projected to grow by 5 percent from 2018 to 2028 with 6,100 openings projected each year, over the decade.
Many of these new jobs will result from the need to replace workers who leave this occupation each year because it is offering low pay and is very emotionally and physically demanding.
* Based on information from the May 2021 salary report from the BLS. The figures represent accumulated data for all states of employment for Orderlys. BLS data represents averages and medians for workers at all levels of education and experience. This data doesn't represent starting salaries.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.