Career comparison
Home Health Aide vs. Orderly
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Orderlies earn more at the median ($38,290 vs. $35,800), while orderlies usually get to work faster (1–4 weeks of training). Home health aides help older adults and people with disabilities live safely and comfortably at home. Orderlies move patients and equipment and help keep hospital units running.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Home Health Aide | Orderly | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $35,800 ($17.21/hr) | $38,290 ($18.41/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $27,040 – $45,040 | $32,240 – $50,600 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +18.1% (much faster than average) | +4.0% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 760,500 | 7,200 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 2–6 weeks | 1–4 weeks |
| Key credential | Home health aide certificate | BLS CPR |
| Work setting | Aides work in clients’ homes, apartments and assisted-living units. | Orderlies work in hospitals and nursing facilities, walking much of the day.. |
What each job does
Home Health Aide
- Assist clients with bathing, grooming, toileting and dressing
- Help clients move safely, including transfers and walking
- Prepare meals that follow the client’s diet plan
- Give medication reminders and record what was taken
- Check and record vital signs when the care plan calls for it
Orderly
- Transport patients
- Help move and reposition patients
- Deliver equipment and supplies
- Clean and set up rooms
- Deliver specimens
How they’re similar
Both careers involve helping others and physical work. Both are part of the healthcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose home health aide if…
- I enjoy taking care of people
- I stay patient when someone needs a lot of help
- I’m comfortable with bathing and toileting tasks
Choose orderly if…
- I want to start in healthcare
- I like being active
- I’m kind and dependable
Still torn? Take the Home Health Aide fit quiz and the Orderly fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, home health aide or orderly?
Orderlies earn more at the median: $38,290 versus $35,800 for home health aides, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Orderlies typically train faster (1–4 weeks) than home health aides (2–6 weeks).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects home health aides to grow +18.1% from 2025–35, compared with +4.0% for orderlies.