How much does a orderly make?
The median orderly in the United States earns $38,290 per year, about $18.41 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all orderlies earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 31-1132.
Orderly salary range
Pay for orderlies spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $32,240 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $50,600. The average (mean) wage of $40,660 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $32,240 | $15.50 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $35,570 | $17.10 | |
| Median (50th) | $38,290 | $18.41 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $44,560 | $21.42 | |
| 90th percentile | $50,600 | $24.33 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for orderlies (SOC 31-1132), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Orderly salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Orderlies earn the most in California at $49,920 a year, and the least in Louisiana at $27,330. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $49,920 | 4,870 |
| Washington | $48,690 | 200 |
| Vermont | $48,120 | 70 |
| Hawaii | $47,130 | 80 |
| New York | $46,600 | 4,680 |
| Oregon | $45,120 | 500 |
| Minnesota | $44,550 | 430 |
| Delaware | $43,800 | 190 |
| Colorado | $43,570 | 540 |
| Maine | $42,530 | 150 |
| Wisconsin | $41,380 | 660 |
| New Hampshire | $40,850 | 140 |
| Pennsylvania | $40,140 | 3,550 |
| Rhode Island | $39,830 | 210 |
| Illinois | $39,450 | 2,110 |
| Alaska | $39,410 | 70 |
| District of Columbia | $39,250 | 120 |
| Massachusetts | $38,970 | 1,810 |
| North Carolina | $38,680 | 1,730 |
| New Jersey | $38,670 | 2,640 |
| Idaho | $38,650 | 300 |
| Indiana | $38,540 | 1,060 |
| North Dakota | $38,240 | 70 |
| Maryland | $38,210 | 1,580 |
| New Mexico | $37,650 | 130 |
| Texas | $37,650 | 2,320 |
| Connecticut | $37,550 | 980 |
| Wyoming | $37,410 | 50 |
| Arizona | $37,380 | 1,220 |
| Kansas | $37,140 | 200 |
| Ohio | $37,030 | 2,360 |
| Virginia | $36,960 | 900 |
| Iowa | $36,850 | 260 |
| South Carolina | $36,480 | 1,430 |
| Michigan | $36,220 | 1,700 |
| Georgia | $36,100 | 2,410 |
| Nevada | $35,850 | 470 |
| Missouri | $35,620 | 870 |
| Florida | $35,420 | 4,440 |
| Kentucky | $35,260 | 710 |
| Oklahoma | $34,430 | 370 |
| Tennessee | $31,840 | 1,200 |
| West Virginia | $31,770 | 250 |
| Arkansas | $31,540 | 170 |
| Alabama | $31,310 | 400 |
| Mississippi | $29,790 | 440 |
| Louisiana | $27,330 | 600 |
State median wages for orderlies (SOC 31-1132), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for orderlies
The BLS projects employment of orderlies to grow 4% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 52,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 54,900 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 7,200 openings a year for orderlies. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an orderly
The typical entry-level education for orderlies is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an orderly earns
Certification, work setting, shift, and region shape pay. Hospitals and high cost metros pay above clinics, nursing homes, and rural facilities.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $49,920) and the lowest (Louisiana, $27,330) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 52,440 people work as orderlies in the United States. At $38,290 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Orderly salary FAQ
How much does an orderly make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an orderly is $18.41. The middle half of orderlies earn between $17.10 and $21.42 per hour.
What is the highest orderly salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of orderlies earn more than $50,600 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an orderly make a year?
The median annual salary for an orderly is $38,290. The average (mean) wage of $40,660 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an orderly a well paid job?
At $38,290 a year, an orderly earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 52,440 people work as orderlies in the United States.
Which state pays orderlies the most?
California has the highest median salary for orderlies at $49,920 a year. Washington ($48,690) and Vermont ($48,120) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an orderly a good career?
Employment of orderlies is projected to grow 4% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 7,200 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an orderly?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for orderlies as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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