Job Outlook – Nursing Assisting

Job Outlook for Nursing Assisting as a career

Nursing Assistants and Orderlies

Percent change in employment, projected 2020-30

Home health and personal care aides; and nursing assistants, orderlies, and psychiatric aides:

Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program

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.

Employment

As the baby-boom population ages, nursing assistants and orderlies will be needed to help care for an increasing number of older people who have chronic or progressive diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes.

Demand for nursing assistants may be constrained by the fact that many nursing homes rely on government funding. Cuts to programs such as Medicare and Medicaid may affect patients’ ability to pay for nursing home care. In addition, patient preferences and shifts in federal and state funding are increasing the demand for home and community-based long-term care, which should lead to increased opportunities for nursing assistants in home health and community rehabilitation services.