Healthcare support
Orderly
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.
Median pay
$38,290
Growth to 2035
+4%
about as fast as average
Openings a year
7,200
Time to qualify*
1 month
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Orderly
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Hazardous conditions
Exposure to disease
Orderly: 8% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core 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.
Also called: Attendant · Operating Room Assistant · Orderly · Patient Care Assistant (PCA) · Patient Care Technician (PCT) · Patient Escort · Patient Transporter · Radiology Transporter
Outlook and AI
Orderlies held 52,800 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 54,900 by 2035 (+4%, about as fast as average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- Orderly vs. Nursing assistant
- Orderly vs. Ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians
- Orderly vs. Physical therapist aide
- Orderly vs. Home health and personal care aides
- Orderly vs. Surgical assistant
- Orderly vs. Surgical technologist
- Orderly vs. Medical assistant
- Orderly vs. Psychiatric aide
- Orderly vs. Medical equipment preparer