CNA – Job Summary – What does a CNA Do?

Quick Facts: Nursing Assistants and Orderlies
2021 Median Pay	$30,290 per year $14.56 per hour
Typical Entry-Level Education	See How to Become One
Work Experience in a Related Occupation	None
On-the-job Training	See How to Become One
Number of Jobs, 2020	1,440,700
Job Outlook, 2020-30	8% (As fast as average)
Employment Change, 2020-30	118,500

What Nursing Assistants and Orderlies 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 $30,310 in May 2021.

The median annual wage for orderlies was $29,990 in May 2021.

Job Outlook

Overall employment of nursing assistants and orderlies is projected to grow 8 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

About 192,800 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.