Orderlies
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.
Also called: Attendant · Operating Room Assistant · Orderly · Patient Care Assistant (PCA) · Patient Care Technician (PCT) · Patient Escort
Median pay (national)
$37,700
$31,610–$49,570 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
53,020
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+3.3%
~7,800 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for orderlies shows a relatively narrow range: the top 10% earn $49,570 versus $31,610 at the bottom 10% — 1.6x. The median of $37,700 leaves roughly 31% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +3.3% from 2024 to 2034 — about as fast as the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 7,800 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 48 states with released data, Washington pays the most for this role (median $51,870, +38% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $21,010 — a 147% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Lift or assist others to lift patients to move them on or off beds, examination tables, surgical tables, or stretchers.
- Transport patients to treatment units, testing units, operating rooms, or other areas, using wheelchairs, stretchers, or moveable beds.
- Disinfect or sterilize equipment or supplies, using germicides or sterilizing equipment.
- Clean equipment, such as wheelchairs, hospital beds, or portable medical equipment, documenting needed repairs or maintenance.
- Respond to emergency situations, such as emergency medical calls, security calls, or fire alarms.
- Carry messages or documents between departments.
- Transport portable medical equipment or medical supplies between rooms or departments.
- Change soiled linens, such as bed linens, drapes, or cubicle curtains.
- Clean and sanitize patient rooms, bathrooms, examination rooms, or other patient areas.
- Collect and transport infectious or hazardous waste in closed containers for sterilization or disposal, in accordance with applicable law, standards, or policies.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Windows
- Electronic medical record EMR software
- GE Healthcare Centricity EMR
- Medical record charting software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- Public Safety and Security
- English Language
- Transportation
- Education and Training
- Psychology
- Telecommunications
- Administration and Management