All About Orderlies
Job Description & Duties 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.
A Day in the Life of an Orderly
- Answer patient call signals, signal lights, bells, or intercom systems to determine patients' needs.
- Position or hold patients in position for surgical preparation.
- Transport patients to treatment units, testing units, operating rooms, or other areas, using wheelchairs, stretchers, or moveable beds.
- Change soiled linens, such as bed linens, drapes, or cubicle curtains.
- Stock utility rooms, nonmedical storage rooms, or cleaning carts with supplies.
- Clean and sanitize patient rooms, bathrooms, examination rooms, or other patient areas.
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Orderly Required Skills
Orderlies state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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
- Patient Transport Orderly
- Ward Assistant
- Hospital Corpsman
- Ward Attendant
- Surgical Orderly
Is There Going to be Demand for Orderlies?
In the United States, there were 54,000 jobs for Orderly in 2016. 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. There will be an estimated 6,700 positions for Orderly per year.

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.
Average Orderlies Salary
Orderlies make between $21,010 and $41,460 a year.

Orderlies who work in Hawaii, Minnesota, or Alaska, make the highest salaries.
How much do Orderlies make 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?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Orderlies may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Windows
- Electronic medical record EMR software
- GE Healthcare Centricity EMR
- Medical record charting software
Becoming an Orderly
Learn what Orderly education requirements there are.

How Long Does it Take to Become an Orderly?

Orderlies Sector

Orderlies work in the following industries:

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