Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Nursing assistants often need to complete a state-approved education program and pass their state’s competency exam to become licensed or certified. Orderlies typically have at least a high school diploma. PayThe median annual wage for nursing assistants was $42,260 in May 2025.The median annual wage for orderlies was $38,290 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of nursing assistants and orderlies is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 203,300 openings for nursing assistants and orderlies are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for nursing assistants and orderlies. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of nursing assistants and orderlies with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about nursing assistants and orderlies by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Explore shorter-term education and training pathways that may prepare you for this type of work.
Pay
The median annual wage for nursing assistants was $42,260 in May 2025.The median annual wage for orderlies was $38,290 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of nursing assistants and orderlies is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 203,300 openings for nursing assistants and orderlies are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for nursing assistants and orderlies. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of nursing assistants and orderlies with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about nursing assistants and orderlies by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of nursing assistants and orderlies is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 203,300 openings for nursing assistants and orderlies are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for nursing assistants and orderlies. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of nursing assistants and orderlies with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about nursing assistants and orderlies by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Nursing assistants provide basic care and help patients with activities of daily living. Orderlies transport patients and clean treatment areas.
Work Environment
Most nursing assistants and orderlies work in nursing and residential care facilities and in hospitals. They are physically active and may need to help lift or move patients.
How to Become a Nursing Assistant or Orderly
Nursing assistants often need to complete a state-approved education program and pass their state’s competency exam to become licensed or certified. Orderlies typically have at least a high school diploma.
Pay
The median annual wage for nursing assistants was $42,260 in May 2025.
The median annual wage for orderlies was $38,290 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of nursing assistants and orderlies is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 203,300 openings for nursing assistants and orderlies are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for nursing assistants and orderlies.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of nursing assistants and orderlies with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about nursing assistants and orderlies by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Most nursing assistants and orderlies work in nursing and residential care facilities and in hospitals. They are physically active and may need to help lift or move patients.
How to Become a Nursing Assistant or Orderly
Nursing assistants often need to complete a state-approved education program and pass their state’s competency exam to become licensed or certified. Orderlies typically have at least a high school diploma.
Pay
The median annual wage for nursing assistants was $42,260 in May 2025.
The median annual wage for orderlies was $38,290 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of nursing assistants and orderlies is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 203,300 openings for nursing assistants and orderlies are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for nursing assistants and orderlies.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of nursing assistants and orderlies with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about nursing assistants and orderlies by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for nursing assistants and orderlies.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of nursing assistants and orderlies with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about nursing assistants and orderlies by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about nursing assistants and orderlies by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.