The median annual wage for nursing assistants was $25,710 in May 2015.
The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $19,390, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $36,890.
The median annual wage for orderlies was $25,580 in May 2015.
The lowest 10 percent earned less than $18,770, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $39,030.
In May 2015, the median annual wages for nursing assistants in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
Government
$31,130
Hospitals; state, local, and private
27,820
Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities)
24,700
Continuing care retirement communities and assisted living facilities for the elderly
24,200
Home health care services
23,620
In May 2015, the median annual wages for orderlies in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
Government
$29,940
Ambulatory health care services
26,020
Hospitals; state, local, and private
25,930
Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities)
22,580
Continuing care retirement communities and assisted living facilities for the elderly
19,950
Most nursing assistants and orderlies work full time. Because nursing homes and hospitals provide care at all hours, nursing aides and orderlies may need to work nights, weekends, and holidays.
Nursing Assistants and Orderlies
Median annual wages, May 2015
Total, all occupations
$36,200
Healthcare support occupations
$27,040
Nursing assistants
$25,710
Nursing assistants and orderlies
$25,710
Orderlies
$25,580
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics