Orderly salary in California
Orderlies in California earn a median of $49,920 a year ($24.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,870 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,010 for the top 10%. That is 30% higher than the national median of $38,290. California ranks 1st of 47 states for orderlies pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.27 orderlies per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.79). The average (mean) salary is $54,480, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for orderlies in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,630 | $19.05 |
| 25th percentile | $46,920 | $22.56 |
| Median | $49,920 | $24.00 |
| 75th percentile | $63,010 | $30.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,010 | $35.58 |
| Average (mean) | $54,480 | $26.19 |
Half of orderlies earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,160 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,080 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,920 |
| Weekly | $960 |
| Hourly | $24.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Orderly salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $69,870 | 480 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $65,790 | 300 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $63,780 | 40 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $62,380 | 370 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $50,110 | 80 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $50,040 | 50 |
| Modesto, CA | $49,890 | 80 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $49,760 | 1,890 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $49,410 | 330 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $47,440 | 620 |
| Fresno, CA | $37,410 | 220 |
Highest-paying states for orderlies
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $34,320 | $16.50 |
| Nursing Assistant | $47,630 | $22.90 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $47,500 | $22.84 |
| Medical Assistant | $49,660 | $23.88 |
| Dental Assistant | $50,110 | $24.09 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $49,130 | $23.62 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $46,260 | $22.24 |
| Massage Therapist | $45,970 | $22.10 |
| Phlebotomist | $56,040 | $26.94 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $83,110 | $39.96 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $61,370 | $29.50 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $42,200 | $20.29 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $38,330 | $18.43 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $45,050 | $21.66 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-1132. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a orderly make in California?
The median salary for orderlies in California is $49,920 a year, or $24.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid orderlies make in California?
The top 10% of orderlies in California earn at least $74,010 a year. The top 25% earn $63,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for orderlies in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,630 a year, and a quarter of orderlies earn $46,920 or less.
How many orderlies work in California?
About 4,870 orderlies are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.