What is an Orderly?
Career Description 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.
Life As an Orderly
- Collect soiled linen or trash.
- Provide physical support to patients to assist them to perform daily living activities, such as getting out of bed, bathing, dressing, using the toilet, standing, walking, or exercising.
- Clean equipment, such as wheelchairs, hospital beds, or portable medical equipment, documenting needed repairs or maintenance.
- Restrain patients to prevent violence or injury or to assist physicians or nurses to administer treatments.
- Turn or reposition bedridden patients, alone or with assistance, to prevent bedsores.
- Supply, collect, or empty bedpans.
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What an Orderly Should Know
These are the skills Orderlies say are the most useful in their careers:
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Types of Orderly
- Clinical Support Associate
- Medical Orderly
- Patient Transporter
- Security Orderly
- Patient Sitter
Is There Going to be Demand for Orderlies?
There were about 54,000 jobs for Orderly in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.1% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 4,400 new jobs for Orderly by 2026. The BLS estimates 6,700 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Orderly are Colorado, Idaho, and Montana. Watch out if you plan on working in Illinois, Connecticut, or Oklahoma. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for an Orderly
Orderlies make between $21,010 and $41,460 a year.

Orderlies who work in Hawaii, Minnesota, or Alaska, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Orderlies in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $23,580 |
Alaska | $41,470 |
Arizona | $26,410 |
Arkansas | $25,770 |
California | $39,410 |
Colorado | $30,380 |
Connecticut | $34,450 |
Delaware | $32,820 |
District of Columbia | $32,190 |
Florida | $26,540 |
Georgia | $27,830 |
Hawaii | $39,310 |
Idaho | $29,190 |
Illinois | $33,140 |
Indiana | $28,790 |
Iowa | $30,100 |
Kansas | $27,130 |
Kentucky | $23,960 |
Louisiana | $23,650 |
Maine | $28,300 |
Maryland | $28,080 |
Massachusetts | $36,010 |
Michigan | $29,130 |
Minnesota | $37,460 |
Mississippi | $22,930 |
Missouri | $23,760 |
Montana | $28,720 |
Nevada | $32,480 |
New Hampshire | $32,060 |
New Jersey | $31,000 |
New Mexico | $28,720 |
New York | $35,130 |
North Carolina | $26,680 |
North Dakota | $32,910 |
Ohio | $27,460 |
Oklahoma | $24,500 |
Oregon | $27,320 |
Pennsylvania | $28,760 |
Rhode Island | $32,600 |
South Carolina | $24,110 |
Tennessee | $24,330 |
Texas | $24,620 |
Vermont | $27,250 |
Virginia | $28,490 |
Washington | $32,510 |
West Virginia | $25,240 |
Wisconsin | $29,480 |
Wyoming | $35,910 |
What Tools & Technology do Orderlies Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Orderlies:
- Microsoft Windows
- Electronic medical record EMR software
- GE Healthcare Centricity EMR
- Medical record charting software
How do I Become an Orderly?
Individuals working as an Orderly have obtained the following education levels:

What work experience do I need to become an Orderly?

Where Orderlies Are Employed

Below are examples of industries where Orderlies work:

References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
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