Summary
Quick Facts: Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants | |
---|---|
$24,010 per year
$11.54 per hour |
|
Postsecondary non-degree award | |
None | |
None | |
1,505,300 | |
20% (Faster than average) | |
302,000 |
What Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants Do
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants help provide basic care for patients in hospitals and residents of long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes.
Work Environment
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants are frequently active, visiting patients and residents and helping move, reposition, or lift them. Because of this, they have a relatively high rate of on-the-job injury.
How to Become a Nursing Aide, Orderly, or Attendant
Nursing aides and attendants typically need a postsecondary certificate or award and must pass their state’s competency exam. Orderlies generally have at least a high school diploma.
Pay
The median annual wage for nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants was $24,010 in May 2010.
Job Outlook
Employment of nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants is expected to grow by 20 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. Because of the growing elderly population, many nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants will be needed in long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants with similar occupations.
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Contacts for More Information
Learn more about nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants by contacting these additional resources.