Nursing Assistant (CNA) & Orderly
Nursing assistants provide basic care and help patients with activities of daily living. Orderlies transport patients and clean treatment areas.
What the job is
- The work
- Nursing assistants provide basic care and help patients with activities of daily living. Orderlies transport patients and clean treatment areas.
BLS
Nursing Assistants and Orderlies — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
- 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.
BLS
Nursing Assistants and Orderlies — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
- Good fit for
- People who want a fast start in patient care and a first step on the nursing ladder; the work is physical and needs patience.
- Career cluster
- Healthcare & Human Services
Key numbers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, pay for May 2025 (nursing assistants and orderlies).
- Median pay
- $41,870 a year ($20.13 an hour)
BLS
Nursing Assistants and Orderlies — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
- Jobs in 2025
- 1,558,700
- Typical entry
- State-approved program (nursing assistants); high school diploma (orderlies)
- Training after hire
- Brief on-the-job training
Job outlook, 2025–35
- Projected growth
- +3%, which BLS calls "as fast as average"
BLS
Nursing Assistants and Orderlies — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
- Jobs added
- +41,100 over 2025–35
- All U.S. jobs
- 3.5% over the same period, for comparison
How to become one
- The usual route
- 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.
BLS
Nursing Assistants and Orderlies — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
- In short
- Nursing assistants usually finish a state-approved program (at least 75 hours under federal rules for nursing homes), pass the state competency exam and go on the state registry. Orderlies typically need a high school diploma and short on-the-job training.
- License
- State certification and registry. Specific requirements for nursing assistants vary by state, including the title, continuing education and background checks. Check with your state's certifying agency.
- By state
- State rules on the roadmap
- Paying for it
- File the FAFSA (opens by October 1) for grants, work-study and federal loans; a Pell Grant pays up to $7,395 a year (2026–27). Average public four-year tuition and fees: $11,950 in-state vs $31,880 out-of-state (2025–26). Residency rules and regional discounts · Save with 2+2 transfer
- Your state
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StateChoose a state
- AlabamaState guide
- AlaskaState guide
- ArizonaState guide
- ArkansasState guide
- CaliforniaState guide
- ColoradoState guide
- ConnecticutState guide
- DelawareState guide
- District of ColumbiaState guide
- FloridaState guide
- GeorgiaState guide
- HawaiiState guide
- IdahoState guide
- IllinoisState guide
- IndianaState guide
- IowaState guide
- KansasState guide
- KentuckyState guide
- LouisianaState guide
- MaineState guide
- MarylandState guide
- MassachusettsState guide
- MichiganState guide
- MinnesotaState guide
- MississippiState guide
- MissouriState guide
- MontanaState guide
- NebraskaState guide
- NevadaState guide
- New HampshireState guide
- New JerseyState guide
- New MexicoState guide
- New YorkState guide
- North CarolinaState guide
- North DakotaState guide
- OhioState guide
- OklahomaState guide
- OregonState guide
- PennsylvaniaState guide
- Rhode IslandState guide
- South CarolinaState guide
- South DakotaState guide
- TennesseeState guide
- TexasState guide
- UtahState guide
- VermontState guide
- VirginiaState guide
- WashingtonState guide
- West VirginiaState guide
- WisconsinState guide
- WyomingState guide
Step-by-step roadmap
The routes step by step, the exam gates and the state license step are on one page.
Nursing assistant (CNA): program, competency exam and state registry
See the roadmap
Route 1: Certified nursing assistant (CNA) · Route 2: Keep climbing: CNA → LPN → RN · Route 3: Orderly
More careers in Healthcare & Human Services
Open the cluster hubEvery career page in this cluster, with entry, license, pay and outlook side by side.
Every number links to the BLS page it came from, checked 20 Oct 2026. Education Margdarshan does not recommend paid courses.