Based on the Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition published by the U.S. Department of Labor nursing and psychiatric aides held about 1,505,300 jobs in 2010. Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants held the most jobs approximately 1.5 million, and psychiatric aides held about 62,500 jobs.
About 40 percent of nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants worked in nursing care facilities and another 30 percent worked in hospitals. About 50 percent of all psychiatric aides worked in hospitals. Others were employed in residential care facilities, government agencies, outpatient care centers, and individual and family services.
Employment of nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants is expected to grow by 20 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. You may be able to get in-depth employment trends and statistics for a particular state by contacting the appropriate state agencies.