What Do Orderly Do?
Orderly Definition 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.
What Do Orderlies Do On a Daily Basis?
- Transport portable medical equipment or medical supplies between rooms or departments.
- Separate collected materials for disposal, recycling, or reuse, in accordance with environmental policies.
- Stock or issue medical supplies, such as dressing packs or treatment trays.
- 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.
- Take and record vital signs, such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse rate, or respiration rate, as directed by medical or nursing staff.
- Stock utility rooms, nonmedical storage rooms, or cleaning carts with supplies.
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What Every Orderly Should Know
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.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Hospital Orderly
- Medical Orderly
- Institutional Aide
- New Patient Escort
- Ward Assistant
Is There Job 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. 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.
Orderly Average Salary
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 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
How to Become an Orderly
What education is needed to be an Orderly?

How Long Does it Take to Become an Orderly?

Where do Orderlies Work?

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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