Orderly Salary in Washington, DC
Orderlies in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $39,160 a year — 2% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $32,461 take-home, or $2,705 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median orderly salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,519
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,428
- Medicare (1.45%)$568
- District of Columbia income tax$1,184
- Take-home pay$32,461
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Orderly pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,000 | $16.83 | $29,369 | $2,447 |
| 25th percentile | $36,670 | $17.63 | $30,610 | $2,551 |
| Median (50th) | $39,160 | $18.83 | $32,461 | $2,705 |
| 75th percentile | $42,690 | $20.52 | $35,086 | $2,924 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,200 | $26.54 | $44,387 | $3,699 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $39,160 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median orderly's $32,461 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,813 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Orderly jobs are less concentrated in Washington, DC than nationally (location quotient 0.68), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for orderlies, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #23 of 25 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $69,870 | $54,698 | $47,311 |
| 2 | Riverside, CA | $47,440 | $38,785 | $36,438 |
| 3 | Los Angeles, CA | $49,760 | $40,480 | $35,645 |
| 4 | Indianapolis, IN | $40,420 | $33,495 | $35,001 |
| 5 | Philadelphia, PA | $43,570 | $35,851 | $34,958 |
| 6 | Cleveland, OH | $37,740 | $32,249 | $34,335 |
| 7 | Nashville, TN | $38,370 | $33,010 | $34,265 |
| 8 | Columbus, OH | $37,360 | $31,954 | $33,470 |
| 23 | Washington, DC | $39,160 | $32,461 | $29,813 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 25 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a orderly make in Washington, DC?
The median orderly salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $39,160 a year, or about $18.83 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $36,670 and $42,690.
What is a orderly’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $39,160 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $32,461 a year ($2,705 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,184 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a orderly?
Pay here is 2% above the national median of $38,290. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,813 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #23 of 25 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a orderly afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 74% of a median orderly’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- Physical Therapist Assistant — $78,790
- Massage Therapist — $65,220
- Healthcare Support Workers, All Other — $55,770
- Medical Equipment Preparer — $50,600
- Phlebotomist — $49,030
- Dental Assistant — $47,540
- Medical Assistant — $46,640
- Nursing Assistant — $45,730
- Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker — $45,320
- Pharmacy Aide — $40,160
- Medical Transcriptionist — $38,540
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $38,530