Phlebotomists
SOC code 31-9097 · O*NET-SOC 31-9097.00 · Medium preparation needed · Healthcare
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Phlebotomy is one of the quickest clinical credentials to earn, often a matter of weeks, and it is a common first job on the way to nursing or laboratory work. Demand is steady because blood draws touch nearly every corner of medicine.
Phlebotomists pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$45,230
a year
Hourly
$21.75
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$45,520
$21.88 per hour
Middle 50%
$38,190 – $48,930
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$35,780 – $58,780
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
143,540
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $35,780
- $17.20/hr
- 25th percentile
- $38,190
- $18.36/hr
- Median percentile
- $45,230
- $21.75/hr
- 75th percentile
- $48,930
- $23.53/hr
- 90th percentile
- $58,780
- $28.26/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+6%
Growing faster than average
139,700
jobs in 2024
147,500
projected for 2034
About 7,800 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What does a phlebotomist do?
Draw blood for tests, transfusions, donations, or research. May explain the procedure to patients and assist in the recovery of patients with adverse reactions.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Confirm the identities of patients by verifying their personal information.
- Match laboratory requisition forms to specimen tubes.
- Dispose of contaminated sharps, in accordance with applicable laws, standards, and policies.
- Dispose of blood or other biohazard fluids or tissue, in accordance with applicable laws, standards, or policies.
- Collect specimens at specific time intervals for tests, such as those assessing therapeutic drug levels.
- Draw blood from veins by vacuum tube, syringe, or butterfly venipuncture methods.
- Organize or clean blood-drawing trays, ensuring that all instruments are sterile and all needles, syringes, or related items are of first-time use.
- Enter patient, specimen, insurance, or billing information into computer.
How to become a phlebotomist
Preparation level: zone 3 — Medium preparation needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
The federal survey did not capture education levels for this specific occupation, so the preparation-level card above is the best guide to the entry route.
Common questions
How much does a phlebotomist earn?
The national median is $45,230 a year. The full range runs from $35,780 at the 10th percentile to $58,780 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a phlebotomist without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 3, meaning the typical entry route is most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Is phlebotomist in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 6% between 2024 and 2034 — growing faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Speaking3.5/5
- Active Listening3.3/5
- Critical Thinking3.3/5
- Reading Comprehension3.1/5
- Monitoring3.1/5
- Writing3.0/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service4.4/5
- English Language4.2/5
- Administrative3.5/5
- Education and Training3.4/5
- Computers and Electronics3.4/5
- Public Safety and Security3.1/5
- Psychology3.0/5
- Production and Processing2.8/5
Transferable strengths: Service Orientation, Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Instructing.