Earnings

The median annual wage for nursing assistants was $24,420 in May 2012.  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 $18,300, and the top 10 percent earned more than $35,330.

The median annual wage for orderlies was $23,990 in May 2012.  The lowest 10 percent earned less than $17,730, and the top 10 percent earned more than $36,390.

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.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011 Edition (http://www.bls.gov/oco/)