Provides hands-on daily care under the direction of licensed nursing staff — helping patients with bathing, dressing, eating, grooming and moving safely, and checking and reporting on their condition. Works in nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living and home care. Entry is a short state-approved training programme followed by a competency evaluation.
Pay
$33,940
Lower reported wage
$42,260
Median
$51,980
Upper reported wage
Annual U.S. salaries. Actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience. The lower and upper figures do not represent starting and senior salaries.
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U.S. career guide. Program, employer, and state requirements can differ.
About this data
SOC 31-1131, nursing assistants only: May 2025 national median $42,260; 10th/90th percentiles $33,940/$51,980. Do not use the combined nursing-assistant/orderly headline. State-approved education, competency examination and registry rules vary by jurisdiction; individual state credential catalog remains incomplete. Reviewed 2026-09-21.
SOC 31-1131BLS OOH / OEWS May 2025, nursing assistants onlyVerified 2026-09-21View on BLS
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