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.
Orderlies
SOC: 31-1132 O*NET: 31-1132.00
Median Salary
$37,700
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 3.3%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
7.8
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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.
What does a Orderlies do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$31,610
10th percentile
Early Career
$34,850
25th percentile
Median
$37,700
50th percentile
Experienced
$43,160
75th percentile
Top Earners
$49,570
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$31,610
25th
$34,850
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$37,700
Mean: $40,070
75th
$43,160
90th
$49,570
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $17,960 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $34,850 and $43,160
- •Salary spread is 22.0% around the median, showing low variation
- •Total national employment: 53,020 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:54,000
Top Industries
Hospitals70.4%
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals69.3%
Ambulatory Health Care Services5.8%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+3.3%
Annual Openings:7,800
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)54,000
Current
2034 (Projected)55,800
+3.3%
+1,800
Employment Change
+3.3%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Orderlies professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 47 locations
California
5,140 jobs$48,5500.83x
New York
4,210 jobs$45,6001.28x
Florida
3,850 jobs$34,5601.14x
Pennsylvania
3,750 jobs$38,7901.81x
New Jersey
3,530 jobs$38,1402.42x
Georgia
2,570 jobs$34,7801.54x
Texas
2,360 jobs$35,8400.50x
Ohio
2,240 jobs$36,1701.18x
Illinois
2,160 jobs$38,4801.03x
North Carolina
2,040 jobs$37,2001.21x
South Carolina
1,940 jobs$37,4402.48x
Virginia
1,720 jobs$36,7401.23x
Michigan
1,560 jobs$35,8101.03x
Massachusetts
1,510 jobs$39,4201.21x
Maryland
1,500 jobs$37,0201.59x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Social Perceptiveness
100%
#2
Service Orientation
80%
#3
Active Listening
60%
#4
Speaking
40%
Skills Overview
Social Perceptiveness
advanced5.0
100%
Service Orientation
intermediate4.0
80%
Active Listening
intermediate3.0
60%
Speaking
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Social Perceptiveness
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Speaking
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Amusement and Recreation Attendants100%
4 shared skills
Cashiers100%
4 shared skills
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop100%
4 shared skills
Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants100%
4 shared skills
Manicurists and Pedicurists100%
4 shared skills
Parking Attendants100%
4 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Service Orientation
Learn on the Job:
- →Active Listening
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Service Orientation
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Social Perceptiveness
- ★Service Orientation
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Orderlies
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Excel
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (19)Training & Development (1)Operations & Execution (1)
1
Answer patient call signals, signal lights, bells, or intercom systems to determine patients' needs.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Carry messages or documents between departments.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Change soiled linens, such as bed linens, drapes, or cubicle curtains.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Clean and sanitize patient rooms, bathrooms, examination rooms, or other patient areas.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Clean equipment, such as wheelchairs, hospital beds, or portable medical equipment, documenting needed repairs or maintenance.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Collect and transport infectious or hazardous waste in closed containers for sterilization or disposal, in accordance with applicable law, standards, or policies.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Collect soiled linen or trash.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Disinfect or sterilize equipment or supplies, using germicides or sterilizing equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Lift or assist others to lift patients to move them on or off beds, examination tables, surgical tables, or stretchers.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Position or hold patients in position for surgical preparation.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Orderlies
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Orderlies professionals typically have a RCS Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
SSocial
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Orderlies
Concern for Others
CriticalConcern for Others
Importance Level4.60
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.27
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.23
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.13
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.13
Social Orientation
Very ImportantSocial Orientation
Importance Level4.01
Complete Work Styles Profile
Concern for Others
4.6
Self-Control
4.3
Stress Tolerance
4.2
Cooperation
4.1
Dependability
4.1
Social Orientation
4.0
Attention to Detail
4.0
Integrity
3.9
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.7
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Orderlies.
Browse Training Programs →