Orderly Salary
Orderlies earn a median $38,290 a year nationally. Healthcare Support Occupations
What orderlies do
Transport patients to areas such as operating rooms or x-ray rooms using wheelchairs, stretchers, or moveable beds. May maintain stocks of supplies or clean and transport equipment. Psychiatric orderlies are included in "Psychiatric Aides" (31-1133).
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +4.0% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 7,200
Employment of orderlies is projected to grow 4.0% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 7,200 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Orderly take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,415
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,374
- Medicare (1.45%)$555
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$32,946
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,240 | $15.50 | $28,085 |
| 25th percentile | $35,570 | $17.10 | $30,760 |
| Median (50th) | $38,290 | $18.41 | $32,946 |
| 75th percentile | $44,560 | $21.42 | $37,984 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,600 | $24.33 | $42,837 |
Best cities for orderlies (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $45,850 | $37,142 | $32,996 | 4,970 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $45,850
Orderly salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $49,920 | +2.8% | $40,597 | $39,630 – $74,010 | 4,870 |
| Washington | $48,690 | −6.1% | $41,302 | $35,360 – $60,570 | 200 |
| Vermont | $48,120 | — | $39,666 | $34,420 – $57,810 | 70 |
| Hawaii | $47,130 | +3.0% | $37,972 | $42,080 – $47,680 | 80 |
| New York | $46,600 | +2.2% | $37,704 | $36,150 – $55,790 | 4,680 |
| Oregon | $45,120 | +3.0% | $35,316 | $39,530 – $55,850 | 500 |
| Minnesota | $44,550 | −0.9% | $36,411 | $36,610 – $51,190 | 430 |
| Delaware | $43,800 | +3.2% | $35,619 | $36,620 – $43,800 | 190 |
| Colorado | $43,570 | +5.3% | $35,980 | $37,610 – $47,220 | 540 |
| Maine | $42,530 | +12.0% | $34,664 | $39,410 – $45,980 | 150 |
| Wisconsin | $41,380 | +3.2% | $34,389 | $35,960 – $47,230 | 660 |
| New Hampshire | $40,850 | +3.1% | $35,003 | $35,900 – $48,530 | 140 |
| Pennsylvania | $40,140 | +3.5% | $33,200 | $36,350 – $45,450 | 3,550 |
| Rhode Island | $39,830 | +3.0% | $33,307 | $36,490 – $48,620 | 210 |
| Illinois | $39,450 | +2.5% | $32,070 | $34,870 – $44,920 | 2,110 |
| Alaska | $39,410 | −3.0% | $33,846 | $38,350 – $52,560 | 70 |
| District of Columbia | $39,250 | +4.8% | $32,528 | $36,670 – $46,160 | 120 |
| Massachusetts | $38,970 | −1.1% | $31,764 | $36,660 – $48,310 | 1,810 |
| North Carolina | $38,680 | +4.0% | $32,225 | $33,570 – $46,230 | 1,730 |
| New Jersey | $38,670 | +1.4% | $32,615 | $34,770 – $45,980 | 2,640 |
| Idaho | $38,650 | +1.5% | $32,295 | $37,530 – $46,700 | 300 |
| Indiana | $38,540 | −0.7% | $32,039 | $32,120 – $41,450 | 1,060 |
| North Dakota | $38,240 | — | $32,906 | $33,170 – $43,210 | 70 |
| Maryland | $38,210 | +3.2% | $31,430 | $33,900 – $49,050 | 1,580 |
| New Mexico | $37,650 | +2.9% | $31,780 | $35,020 – $45,920 | 130 |
| Texas | $37,650 | +5.1% | $32,432 | $30,680 – $44,820 | 2,320 |
| Connecticut | $37,550 | +4.8% | $31,587 | $34,890 – $46,710 | 980 |
| Wyoming | $37,410 | +5.7% | $32,239 | $31,330 – $37,410 | 50 |
| Arizona | $37,380 | +1.3% | $31,489 | $34,350 – $46,360 | 1,220 |
| Kansas | $37,140 | +1.9% | $30,749 | $31,200 – $45,150 | 200 |
| Ohio | $37,030 | +2.4% | $31,698 | $33,880 – $42,270 | 2,360 |
| Virginia | $36,960 | +0.6% | $30,566 | $30,840 – $51,230 | 900 |
| Iowa | $36,850 | +1.8% | $31,040 | $33,570 – $43,580 | 260 |
| South Carolina | $36,480 | −2.6% | $30,460 | $29,640 – $46,300 | 1,430 |
| Michigan | $36,220 | +1.1% | $29,994 | $32,740 – $41,940 | 1,700 |
| Georgia | $36,100 | +3.8% | $29,936 | $30,020 – $45,160 | 2,410 |
| Nevada | $35,850 | +3.7% | $30,985 | $31,270 – $47,550 | 470 |
| Missouri | $35,620 | −1.6% | $30,064 | $31,770 – $42,020 | 870 |
| Florida | $35,420 | +2.5% | $30,640 | $32,610 – $38,930 | 4,440 |
| Kentucky | $35,260 | −3.1% | $29,395 | $30,150 – $40,500 | 710 |
| Oklahoma | $34,430 | +2.3% | $28,841 | $31,050 – $38,960 | 370 |
| Tennessee | $31,840 | −15.3% | $27,763 | $26,720 – $45,030 | 1,200 |
| West Virginia | $31,770 | −8.3% | $26,882 | $29,280 – $35,990 | 250 |
| Arkansas | $31,540 | +1.3% | $26,505 | $25,650 – $37,330 | 170 |
| Alabama | $31,310 | +0.2% | $26,037 | $26,590 – $35,270 | 400 |
| Mississippi | $29,790 | −0.9% | $25,657 | $26,840 – $36,980 | 440 |
| Louisiana | $27,330 | +3.7% | $23,683 | $24,230 – $33,740 | 600 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing Assistant | $42,260 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +2.6% |
| Psychiatric Aide | $44,910 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.9% |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aide | $35,800 | High school diploma or equivalent | +18.1% |
| Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker | $38,150 | High school diploma or equivalent | +9.1% |
| Pharmacy Aide | $37,680 | High school diploma or equivalent | -0.7% |
| Occupational Therapy Aide | $39,160 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.6% |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $40,410 | Postsecondary nondegree award | -4.4% |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $35,240 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.0% |
| Phlebotomist | $45,230 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +6.8% |
| Medical Assistant | $45,690 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +12.9% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a orderly make?
The national median salary for orderlies is $38,290 a year ($18.41 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $32,240 and the top 10% earn over $50,600. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays orderlies the most?
California has the highest median pay at $49,920. After taxes and local prices, New York, NY offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many orderlies are there in the U.S.?
About 52,440 people work as orderlies nationwide.