Career comparison
Orderly vs. Psychiatric Aide
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Psychiatric aides earn more at the median ($44,910 vs. $38,290), while orderlies usually get to work faster (1–4 weeks of training). Orderlies move patients and equipment and help keep hospital units running. Psychiatric aides help patients with mental illness stay safe and take part in daily life.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Orderly | Psychiatric Aide | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $38,290 ($18.41/hr) | $44,910 ($21.59/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $32,240 – $50,600 | $32,090 – $60,440 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +4.0% (about as fast as average) | +1.9% (slower than average) |
| Openings per year | 7,200 | 4,900 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 1–4 weeks | 1–4 weeks |
| Key credential | BLS CPR | CPI de-escalation training |
| Work setting | Orderlies work in hospitals and nursing facilities, walking much of the day.. | Aides work in psychiatric hospitals, residential treatment centers and state facilities.. |
What each job does
Orderly
- Transport patients
- Help move and reposition patients
- Deliver equipment and supplies
- Clean and set up rooms
- Deliver specimens
Psychiatric Aide
- Help patients with daily activities
- Supervise patients for safety
- Observe and report behavior
- Help with activities
- Assist during crises
How they’re similar
Both careers involve helping others, shift work, and teamwork. Both are part of the healthcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose orderly if…
- I want to start in healthcare
- I like being active
- I’m kind and dependable
Choose psychiatric aide if…
- I want to help people with mental illness
- I stay calm under stress
- I’m patient
Still torn? Take the Orderly fit quiz and the Psychiatric Aide fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, orderly or psychiatric aide?
Psychiatric Aides earn more at the median: $44,910 versus $38,290 for orderlies, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Orderlies typically train faster (1–4 weeks) than psychiatric aides (1–4 weeks).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects orderlies to grow +4.0% from 2025–35, compared with +1.9% for psychiatric aides.