Nursing assistants must complete a state-approved education program and must pass their state’s competency exam to become certified. Orderlies generally have at least a high school diploma. The median annual wage for nursing assistants and orderlies was $25,710 in May 2015. Employment of nursing assistants and orderlies is projected to grow 17 percent by 2024. The growing elderly population is particularly vulnerable to chronic and debilitating conditions that require care and the overall need for healthcare services is expected to rise. The BLS estimates 262,000 new jobs in this field by 2024.
