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Orderlies in Iowa

Thinking about a career as an Orderlies in Iowa? Here’s what the data says. 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. Excludes “Nursing Assistants” (31-1131). Psychiatric orderlies are included in “Psychiatric Aides” (31-1133).

$36,210 Median Annual Wage (Iowa)

$31,214 National Median Annual Wage

270 Iowa Employment

Some Preparation Needed Typical Preparation

What do Orderlies Make in Iowa?

The orderlies working in Iowa, wages run about $36,210 per year (or about $17.41/hour).Earnings range from $32,620 at the 10th percentile to $41,150 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$32,620	$15.69
25th percentile	$33,750	$16.23
Median (50th)	$36,210	$17.41
75th percentile	$37,200	$17.89
90th percentile	$41,150	$19.79

The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Iowa relative to the national average — is 0.50, indicating fewer orderlies per worker than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, orderlies earn a median of $31,214 per year ($15.01/hour), higher than the Iowa median.

Employment Outlook

National employment for 147,690 orderlies nationwide. In Iowa alone, approximately 270 people work in this role. That’s fewer than the typical state, which employs around 520 orderlies.

Top Iowa Metros for Orderlies

These are the Iowa metros with the most orderlies in Iowa.

Metro Area	Number Employed	Annual Median Salary
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA	70	$36,400

Top States for Orderlies Employment

These states have the highest employment of orderlies work.

State	Number Employed
California	5,140
New York	4,210
Florida	3,850
Pennsylvania	3,750
New Jersey	3,530
Georgia	2,570
Texas	2,360
Ohio	2,240
Illinois	2,160
North Carolina	2,040
South Carolina	1,940
Virginia	1,720
Michigan	1,560
Massachusetts	1,510
Maryland	1,500
Indiana	1,420
Connecticut	990
Arizona	940
Missouri	860
Tennessee	780

Highest-Paying States for Orderlies

These states pay the most for orderlies.

State	Annual Median Salary
Washington	$51,870
California	$48,550
Hawaii	$45,740
New York	$45,600
Minnesota	$44,970
Oregon	$43,810
Delaware	$42,440
Colorado	$41,390
Alaska	$40,610
Wisconsin	$40,090

Skills

Key orderlies skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Social Perceptiveness 3.4 / 5

Service Orientation 3.4 / 5

Active Listening 3.1 / 5

Speaking 3.0 / 5

Coordination 2.9 / 5

Critical Thinking 2.8 / 5

Knowledge Areas

Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Customer and Personal Service 4.2 / 5

Public Safety and Security 3.1 / 5

English Language 3.0 / 5

Transportation 2.5 / 5

Education and Training 2.4 / 5

Psychology 2.4 / 5

Abilities

Top abilities for orderlies, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Oral Comprehension 3.6 / 5

Trunk Strength 3.5 / 5

Static Strength 3.4 / 5

Speech Recognition 3.4 / 5

Oral Expression 3.4 / 5

Problem Sensitivity 3.4 / 5

Daily Tasks

Orderlies typically:

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.
Clean and sanitize patient rooms, bathrooms, examination rooms, or other patient areas.
Collect and transport infectious or hazardous waste in closed containers for sterilization or disposal, in accordance with applicable law, standards, or policies.
Transport specimens, laboratory items, or pharmacy items, ensuring proper documentation and delivery to authorized personnel.
Collect soiled linen or trash.

Work Activities

Assisting and Caring for Others
Performing General Physical Activities
Handling and Moving Objects
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
Getting Information
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
Processing Information

Tools & Technology

Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel

Other careers like orderlies include:

Also Known As

Attendant, Cart Attendant, Clinical Support Associate, Emergency Room Orderly, Hospice Entrance Attendant, Hospital Corpsman, Hospital Orderly, Infirmary Attendant, Institutional Aide, Medical Orderly, Medical Transporter, New Patient Escort, Operating Room Aide, Operating Room Assistant, Operating Room Orderly.

References

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
O*NET-SOC code: 31-1132.00

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