Certified Nursing Assistant
Provide hands-on daily care to patients and residents under nurse supervision.
- $42,260
- 4–12 weeks
Healthcare career
Orderly
Also called: Patient Transporter · Hospital Orderly · Patient Care Aide · Transport Aide
What orderlies do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does an orderly do?
Orderlies transport patients to areas such as operating rooms or X-ray rooms, help move and position patients, and keep patient areas clean and stocked. The median pay is $38,290 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 1–4 weeks, and employment is projected to grow +4.0% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$38,290$18.41/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+4.0%2025–35, about as fast as average
- Openings per year7,200Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to train1–4 weeksTypical program length
- U.S. jobs52,800Employment, 2025
What orderlies do
Orderlies keep patients moving safely through hospitals. They transport patients by wheelchair or stretcher to tests and surgeries, help nurses turn and reposition patients, set up and clean rooms, deliver equipment and specimens, and respond to calls for help.
Most orderlies have a high school diploma and learn on the job. It is a common entry point into healthcare careers.
Typical duties
- Transport patients
- Help move and reposition patients
- Deliver equipment and supplies
- Clean and set up rooms
- Deliver specimens
- Respond to unit requests
- Follow safety and infection rules
Work environment and schedule
Orderlies work in hospitals and nursing facilities, walking much of the day.
Schedule: Shifts cover days, nights, weekends and holidays.
A day in the life
- Check the transport queue.
- Take a patient to radiology.
- Help nurses turn a patient.
- Deliver a specimen to the lab.
See a full day in the life of an orderly →
Orderly salary
Half of orderlies earned more than $38,290 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $32,240 for the lowest 10% to $50,600 for the top 10%.
Full orderly pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become an orderly
- Apply to hospitals
- Complete orientation
- Learn transport systems
- Earn CPR
- Advance
A high school diploma is typical, plus short on-the-job training.
Step-by-step guide to becoming an orderly →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Safe patient handling
- Wheelchair and stretcher use
- Infection control
- Basic patient care
- Specimen handling
People skills
- Reliability
- Kindness
- Teamwork
- Stamina
All orderly skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Quick entry into healthcare
- Active job
- See many departments
- Path to clinical roles
Cons
- Modest pay
- Physically demanding
- Shift work
- Exposure to illness
Certifications and licenses
- BLS CPR: Basic life support.
- Safe patient handling training: Lifting safety.
- Certified Patient Care Technician: Optional credential.
- CNA: Path to more patient care.
Career path
- Orderly: Transport patients.
- Patient Care Technician: More care.
- CNA or LPN: Clinical roles.
- Registered Nurse: With education.
Learn the job before day one
Our Orderly training (8 hours, $74.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as transport a patient by wheelchair and help reposition a patient, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Orderly vs. CNA · Orderly vs. Home Health Aide · Orderly vs. Psychiatric Aide · Orderly vs. Sterile Processing Tech
Orderly FAQ
Do orderlies need certification?
Usually not; CPR is often required.
Is this a path into nursing?
Yes, many orderlies advance.
Is the job physical?
Yes, with lots of walking and lifting.
How much does an orderly make?
The median annual wage for orderlies was $38,290 ($18.41 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $32,240 and the highest 10% earned more than $50,600.
How long does it take to become an orderly?
Most people need about 1–4 weeks of training. A high school diploma is typical, plus short on-the-job training.
Do you need a degree to be an orderly?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 31-1132 (Orderlies).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Orderlies (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.