How to become an Orderly
Official title: Orderlies
Also called: Attendant, Operating Room Assistant, Orderly, Patient Care Assistant (PCA), Patient Care Technician (PCT), Patient Escort, Patient Transporter, Radiology Transporter, Transporter
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.
Main tasks
- 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.
- Change soiled linens, such as bed linens, drapes, or cubicle curtains.
- Carry messages or documents between departments.
- Transport portable medical equipment or medical supplies between rooms or departments.
How to become one
Nursing assistants often need to complete a state-approved education program and pass their state's competency exam to become licensed or certified. Orderlies typically have at least a high school diploma.
Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent
Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Ways in
- Licence: A licence is required in 13 states.
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Median pay: $38,290 a year The middle half earn $35,570 to $44,560.
- About 52,800 people work in this job now, and about 54,900 are projected by 2035. (+4%)
- People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.
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Questions people ask
How do I become an Orderly?
Nursing assistants often need to complete a state-approved education program and pass their state's competency exam to become licensed or certified. Orderlies typically have at least a high school diploma.
How much does an Orderly earn in the US?
Median full-time pay is $38,290 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $35,570 to $44,560.
Is an Orderly a growing career in the US?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 4% by 2035, from about 52,800 to about 54,900 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Do you need a degree to become an Orderly?
Usually not. Only 22% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Will AI change the work of an Orderly?
People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.
Sources
- Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.