Orderly salary in Iowa
Orderlies in Iowa earn a median of $36,850 a year ($17.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 260 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,580 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $38,290. Iowa ranks 33rd of 47 states for orderlies pay. There are 0.16 orderlies per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.49). The average (mean) salary is $37,330, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for orderlies in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,570 | $16.14 |
| 25th percentile | $34,930 | $16.79 |
| Median | $36,850 | $17.72 |
| 75th percentile | $37,730 | $18.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,580 | $20.95 |
| Average (mean) | $37,330 | $17.95 |
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 | $3,070.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,535.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,417.31 |
| Weekly | $708.65 |
| Hourly | $17.72 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Orderly salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $37,090 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for orderlies
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $49,920 |
| Washington | $48,690 |
| Vermont | $48,120 |
| Hawaii | $47,130 |
| New York | $46,600 |
| Oregon | $45,120 |
| Minnesota | $44,550 |
| Delaware | $43,800 |
| Colorado | $43,570 |
| Maine | $42,530 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $36,080 | $17.34 |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,350 | $18.92 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $39,260 | $18.88 |
| Medical Assistant | $45,480 | $21.87 |
| Dental Assistant | $48,430 | $23.28 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $35,720 | $17.18 |
| Phlebotomist | $38,240 | $18.38 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $33,270 | $16.00 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $61,030 | $29.34 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $39,930 | $19.20 |
| Massage Therapist | $57,710 | $27.75 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $64,140 | $30.84 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $29,120 | $14.00 |
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 Iowa?
The median salary for orderlies in Iowa is $36,850 a year, or $17.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid orderlies make in Iowa?
The top 10% of orderlies in Iowa earn at least $43,580 a year. The top 25% earn $37,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for orderlies in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,570 a year, and a quarter of orderlies earn $34,930 or less.
How many orderlies work in Iowa?
About 260 orderlies are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.